This bill amends the Code of West Virginia to prohibit chairpersons of state political parties from registering as lobbyists during their tenure and for one year following the termination of their employment. The new legal language specifies that this restriction applies to chairpersons as defined in section 3-1-8 of the code. The bill aims to enhance the integrity of the lobbying process by preventing potential conflicts of interest that may arise from former political party leaders engaging in lobbying activities immediately after their term.

Additionally, the bill includes various provisions related to the registration of lobbyists, such as the requirement for lobbyists to file a registration statement with the Ethics Commission before engaging in lobbying activities. It also outlines the necessary information that must be included in the registration statement and establishes guidelines for updating the registration in the event of changes in employment status. The effective date for the new prohibition on chairpersons registering as lobbyists is set for April 15, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 6B-3-2