Hauppauge, NY - November 21, 2018 - Suffolk County legislators today approved Presiding Officer DuWayne Gregory’s bill to require sellers of land to the county to disclose their campaign donations to county officials or candidates as well as whether they are a county officer or employee.
The bill passed 17-0 at the Legislature’s Nov. 20 general meeting, with one legislator not present.
Presiding Officer Gregory said this change ensures the integrity of the county’s land acquisition process.
“This reform to the county’s land acquisition program is about transparency, accountability, and ultimately, good government,” Presiding Officer Gregory said. “Before the Legislature votes on whether to enter into a real estate transaction with an individual or entity, we should know about any potential conflicts of interest. I am grateful to my colleagues for their support on this proactive measure.”
The bill now goes to the County Executive for final approval.
As the law currently stands, before the Legislature considers a real estate transaction, those who sell land to the county are required to file a statement that discloses all parties who have an ownership interest in the property, any agents that have a direct financial interest in the transaction, and brokers who will earn a commission from the transaction. The disclosure statement also requires sellers to disclose if they are a Suffolk County officer or employee, but this requirement is not clearly codified. The Presiding Officer’s bill properly codifies the government employment disclosure and requires sellers to disclose their campaign donations to county officials and candidates for county office.
The seller is responsible for filing the public disclosure statement with the Director of the Division of Real Property Acquisition and Management, who will then file that disclosure with the Clerk of the Legislature.