This bill amends the Code of West Virginia to allow currently serving members of county school boards to retain their positions while campaigning for other public offices. Specifically, it modifies section 18-5-1a by deleting the prohibition against holding any other public office during a campaign, and instead inserts language that explicitly permits current board members to maintain their roles while running for other offices, regardless of whether those elections are partisan. Additionally, it clarifies that candidates for county boards who are not currently serving may hold another public office if they resign before taking the oath of office for the county board.

The bill also outlines the conditions under which members of county boards may engage in political activities, including making campaign contributions and attending political events, while maintaining restrictions on certain political roles. Furthermore, it establishes a process for members to seek advisory opinions from the West Virginia Ethics Commission regarding potential conflicts of interest with other offices they may hold or seek. Overall, the legislation aims to provide greater flexibility for county school board members in their political engagements while ensuring compliance with ethical standards.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 18-5-1a