COIB & Its Laws

The Conflicts of Interest Board (COIB) is charged with interpreting and enforcing the conflicts of interest code for New York City's public servants, contained in Chapter 68 of the City Charter, as well as the Annual Disclosure Law, Lobbyist Gift Law, Affiliated Not-for-Profits Law, and Legal Defense Trusts Law.

Chapter 68 of the City Charter is the conflicts of interest law that applies to all current and former New York City public servants. Enacted to preserve both the perception and reality of integrity in City government, Chapter 68 contains bright-line standards to govern conflicts between the public duties and private interests of its public servants. It covers such topics as outside employment, political activities, gifts, misuse of position, and post-employment “revolving door” restrictions.

The Annual Disclosure Law, found in Section 12-110 of the New York City Administrative Code, requires certain public servants, including elected officials, policymakers, high-level managers, and employees with contract duties, and candidates for City elective office to file annual reports disclosing their positions and financial interests, as well as those of their spouses or domestic partners and unemancipated children.

The Lobbyist Gift Law prohibits lobbyists from offering or giving gifts to public servants, with exceptions identified by rule of the Board.

The Affiliated Not-for-Profits Law requires reporting and public disclosure of donations to not-for-profit organizations controlled by City elected officials or their agents.

The Legal Defense Trusts Law permits a public servant (or someone acting on behalf of a public servant) to establish a legal defense trust to raise funds to pay for certain legal bills and expenses connected with the public servant’s City employment.

To interpret and implement these laws, the Board promulgates rules ("Board Rules"). Links to the Board Rules and other helpful resources for understanding these laws can be found in the buttons above and the menu to the left.