New York lawmakers recently introduced two bills to expand the application of the New York State False Claims Act (“FCA”).  The first intends to require the FCA to apply to non-filers, the second to remove the scienter element (i.e., no longer imposing a “knowing” requirement).  Although both bills are retroactive and concerning, removing the scienter element should put all businesses on high alert as enforcement of the tax laws could now be in the hands of opportunistic whistleblowers and/or the New York State Office of the Attorney General (AG).