The bill amends and reenacts several sections of the Code of West Virginia to enhance the regulation of lobbying activities involving foreign principals and their agents. It introduces a new article that defines key terms such as "agent of a foreign principal" and "foreign principal," and establishes requirements for registration and reporting for lobbyists acting on behalf of foreign entities. Notably, the bill mandates that lobbyists must report all agency and contracting activities related to foreign principals and prohibits any lobbying activities before registration with the Secretary of State. Additionally, it requires agents to file a registration statement within ten days of becoming an agent and to maintain accurate records of their activities for three years after their registration ends.

The legislation also outlines specific exemptions from registration for certain individuals, such as accredited diplomatic officers, and imposes penalties for non-compliance, including fines and potential imprisonment for willful violations. The Secretary of State is granted authority to withdraw registration statements from public examination if they are no longer necessary and is responsible for submitting annual reports to the Legislature on the administration of these regulations. Overall, the bill aims to improve transparency and accountability in lobbying practices involving foreign interests, ensuring that the interests of West Virginia citizens are protected.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 6B-3-1, 6B-3-2, 6B-3-4, 6B-3-6, 6B-3-7, 6B-3A-1, 6B-3A-2, 6B-3A-3, 6B-3A-4, 6B-3A-5, 6B-3A-6, 6B-3A-7, 6B-3A-8, 6B-3A-9, 6B-3A-10, 6B-3A-11