Project Sunlight to give public access to database of who appears before state departments and agencies
Source: Office of the Governor
On July 26, 2013 Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced the launching of the Project Sunlight database on the Internet at projectsunlight.ny.gov, a searchable database providing an in-depth view of the individuals and entities appearing before New York State government entities concerning non-legislative matters
Project Sunlight lists meetings between government officials and outside individuals, entities, and their internal or external representatives related to state procurement, rate-making, regulatory matters, agency-based judicial or quasi-judicial proceedings, and the adoption or repeal of rules and regulations.
On July 26, 2013 Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced the launching of the Project Sunlight database on the Internet at projectsunlight.ny.gov, a searchable database providing an in-depth view of the individuals and entities appearing before New York State government entities concerning non-legislative matters
Project Sunlight lists meetings between government officials and outside individuals, entities, and their internal or external representatives related to state procurement, rate-making, regulatory matters, agency-based judicial or quasi-judicial proceedings, and the adoption or repeal of rules and regulations.
Lobbying appearances related to passage of the budget or legislation are not covered by Project Sunlight, as they are already the subject of regulation by the Joint Commission on Public Ethics pursuant to the State’s lobbying laws. .
A Project Sunlight Policy was developed to facilitate reporting and to clarify what is and is not reported in the database:
A Project Sunlight Policy was developed to facilitate reporting and to clarify what is and is not reported in the database:
Meetings Included in Project Sunlight: | Meetings NOT Included in Project Sunlight: |
Appearances related to state procurement | Appearances for the sole purpose of requesting information |
Appearances related to rate-making | Written or telephone communications |
Appearances related to regulatory matters | Appearances regarding legislation or the budget, or any intergovernmental interactions |
Appearances related to agency-based judicial or quasi-judicial proceedings | Appearances that are treated as confidential pursuant to federal or state law, or which, if disclosed, could endanger the life or safety of any person. |
Appearances related to adoption or repeal of rules and regulations | Participation in meetings that are open to the public (and thus already reported elsewhere) |