Sec. 940.1. Purpose

Pursuant to Executive Law section 94(9)(d-1), the Joint Commission on Public Ethics shall adopt, amend, and rescind rules and regulations “defining the permissible use of and promoting the proper use of public service announcements.” The purpose of these regulations is to:

(a) provide guidance as to what constitutes, for the purposes of the Public Officers Law, a public service announcement;

(b) clarify that an appearance in a public service announcement does not ordinarily constitute a “gift” under Public Officers Law section 73(5), Legislative Law article 1-A, Title 19 NYCRR Part 933, and Title 19 NYCRR Part 934; and

(c) place limitations on when certain individuals – referred to as “Covered Officials” – who are also candidates may appear in public service announcements.

Public service announcements in which no covered official appears, is named, or is otherwise identified or referenced are not covered by these regulations.