SB 416
Legislation banning tax payer funded lobbying
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- Passed Senate
- Passed House of Delegates
- To Governor
- Became Law
Bill overview
This bill prohibits West Virginia political subdivisions, such as counties and municipalities, from using taxpayer funds to pay for lobbying services. It requires these subdivisions to disclose lobbying contracts and related expenses to the West Virginia Ethics Commission. The bill includes exceptions for law enforcement and certain advocacy activities by officials and employees, and establishes a legal recourse for taxpayers to challenge the use of public funds for lobbying.
Key provisions
- Prohibits political subdivisions from using public funds for lobbying services.
- Requires disclosure of lobbying contracts and related expenses to the West Virginia Ethics Commission.
- Exempts elected sheriffs and law enforcement officers from the lobbying prohibition.
- Allows officers and employees to provide information to legislators without triggering lobbyist registration.
- Permits reimbursement for direct travel expenses incurred by officers/employees for legislative activities.
- Exempts nonprofit associations representing political subdivisions from certain lobbying activities.
- Provides a legal remedy for taxpayers to challenge the use of public funds for lobbying.
- Establishes a timeline for reporting lobbying activities to the Ethics Commission.
Who is affected
- West Virginia counties
- West Virginia municipalities
- West Virginia state agencies
- Taxpayers in West Virginia
- Residents of West Virginia
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