The proposed bill introduces the "Taxpayer Accountability for Public Service Act," which establishes new eligibility requirements for candidates seeking public office in West Virginia. Under this act, individuals must demonstrate compliance with personal property tax obligations to qualify as candidates. Specifically, candidates are required to submit a "certification of tax compliance" when filing their candidacy papers, and the election authority is tasked with verifying this compliance with the appropriate tax collection agency. If a candidate has unpaid personal property taxes that are past due, they will be disqualified from running for office unless they meet certain exceptions, such as being in an approved payment plan or having a pending challenge to the tax assessment.

Additionally, the bill outlines enforcement measures, stating that candidates found to have unpaid taxes will be removed from the ballot unless they qualify for an exception. It also imposes a five-year disqualification for individuals who knowingly provide false information regarding their tax status. The act is set to take effect immediately upon passage, emphasizing the importance of tax compliance as a civic duty for those seeking public service roles.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 3-1D-1, 3-1D-2, 3-1D-3, 3-1D-4, 3-1D-5, 3-1D-6, 3-1D-7