The bill amends various sections of the West Virginia Code to enhance governmental ethics, particularly concerning the West Virginia Ethics Commission's responsibilities. Key changes include a requirement for commission members to recuse themselves from decisions where they have a financial interest, the establishment of an electronic registration and reporting system for lobbyists by December 31, 2025, and an increase in the frequency of lobbying activity reports. Additionally, the bill mandates that the Ethics Commission provide resources and information on its website to improve transparency and accessibility for the public and lobbyists.

The legislation also revises lobbying registration and reporting requirements, introducing new obligations for lobbyists, such as filing separate notices of representation for each source of compensation and submitting amended registration statements within one week of employment changes. Lobbyists must file new registration statements every odd-numbered year, with non-compliance resulting in the termination of their lobbying authorization. The bill establishes penalties for violations, including misdemeanor charges for willfully making false statements or failing to comply with requirements, and allows the Ethics Commission to accept registration forms in both electronic and paper formats, promoting greater compliance flexibility.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 6B-2-2, 6B-3-2, 6B-3-5
Engrossed Version: 6B-2-2, 6B-3-2, 6B-3-5
Enrolled Version: 6B-2-1, 6B-2-2, 6B-2-12, 6B-3-1, 6B-3-2, 6B-3-4, 6B-3-5, 6B-3-7, 6B-3-9