The proposed bill, known as the "Say No to Good Old Boy Governance" amendment, aims to amend the Code of West Virginia by prohibiting elected officials from appointing any family members to state or local offices. The term "family member" is broadly defined to include spouses, ex-spouses, parents, children, grandchildren, siblings, aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews. This legislation seeks to combat nepotism and enhance ethical standards in public office appointments, promoting transparency and integrity in government.

In addition to the prohibition on family member appointments, the bill retains existing ethical standards for public officials and employees, including regulations on the use of public office for private gain, acceptance of gifts, and interests in public contracts. It emphasizes the importance of impartiality and avoiding conflicts of interest while allowing for certain exemptions under specific circumstances through applications to the Ethics Commission. Overall, the bill aims to strengthen ethical governance in West Virginia by ensuring that public appointments are based on merit rather than familial connections.

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