This bill amends the Code of West Virginia to enhance the transparency and accessibility of the Ethics Commission's disclosure forms, statements, and reports. It mandates that these documents be prescribed by procedural rule and made available on the Commission's website, replacing the previous requirement for legislative rule. Additionally, the bill specifies that lobbyist registration forms must include detailed information about the lobbyist's employment, compensation structure, and the subjects they will be lobbying on. It also updates the language regarding the registration process for lobbyists and clarifies the conditions under which public officers and employees may not register as lobbyists.

Furthermore, the bill introduces stricter reporting requirements for grassroots lobbying campaigns, particularly for expenditures exceeding $5,000. It requires sponsors of such campaigns to provide detailed information about their expenditures, including the media outlets used for advertising, thereby increasing accountability in lobbying activities. The bill aims to ensure that the public has access to comprehensive information regarding lobbying efforts and expenditures, thereby promoting ethical conduct among public officials and lobbyists.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 6B-2-2, 6B-3-2, 6B-3-5