This bill aims to amend the existing law regarding the acceptance of gifts and gratuities by public servants in West Virginia. It explicitly prohibits public servants from soliciting, accepting, or agreeing to accept any gifts or gratuities from individuals known to be subject to their regulatory or oversight functions, regardless of the timing or expectation of the gift. The new language clarifies that these prohibitions apply under all circumstances, including instances where the gratuity is presented after an official action has been taken or an interaction has concluded.

Additionally, the bill modifies the exceptions to these prohibitions. It removes the previous subsection (b) and introduces a new subsection (c) that maintains certain exceptions, such as gifts based on kinship or trivial gifts that do not pose a substantial risk of affecting impartiality. However, it emphasizes that the prohibitions apply to all public servants, including those in the legislative branch, and reinforces the importance of maintaining integrity in public service by preventing any potential conflicts of interest related to gifts or gratuities.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 61-5A-6