The proposed bill seeks to improve transparency in lobbying activities in West Virginia by amending various sections of the Code of West Virginia and introducing new provisions. A significant change is the establishment of an electronic lobbyist registration and reporting system by the Ethics Commission, which must be operational by December 31, 2025. This system will facilitate online registration and electronic filing of reports, creating a searchable public database of registered lobbyists. Additionally, the bill requires lobbyists to publish their photographs and identification on Capitol grounds, while also increasing registration fees from $100 to $250.

The bill further enhances reporting requirements by increasing the frequency of reports from three to six times a year and raising the threshold for grassroots lobbying campaign reporting from $5,000 to $7,500 for three-month periods and from $1,000 to $2,500 for one-month periods. It prohibits lobbyists from receiving contingent fees or making political campaign contributions, introduces stricter penalties for violations, and allows the Ethics Commission to conduct random audits of lobbyist activities. These changes aim to create a more regulated and transparent lobbying environment, ensuring ethical conduct and reducing potential conflicts of interest.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 6B-3-1, 6B-3-2, 6B-3-3, 6B-3-3a, 6B-3-4, 6B-3-5, 6B-3-7, 6B-3-9, 6B-3-10, 6B-3-11, 6B-2-12
Committee Substitute: 6B-3-1, 6B-3-2, 6B-3-3, 6B-3-3a, 6B-3-4, 6B-3-5, 6B-3-7, 6B-3-9, 6B-3-11, 6B-2-12, 6B-3-12
Engrossed Committee Substitute: 6B-3-1, 6B-3-2, 6B-3-3, 6B-3-3a, 6B-3-4, 6B-3-5, 6B-3-7, 6B-3-9, 6B-3-11, 6B-2-12, 6B-3-12