The proposed bill aims to establish the Nonprofit Transparency and Accountability Act in West Virginia, which mandates that all nonprofit organizations receiving any portion of their operating funds from public sources, whether state or federal, must comply with Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests. This legislation emphasizes the importance of transparency and accountability in the management of nonprofit organizations, as public confidence is crucial for their effectiveness. The bill includes legislative findings that highlight the role of nonprofits in addressing social and civic needs and the necessity for oversight of public funds.

Additionally, the bill stipulates that these nonprofit entities must respond to FOIA requests under the same obligations as public bodies. It also requires that nonprofits receiving public funds enroll in Open Checkbooks, further promoting transparency in their financial operations. The introduction of this act reflects a commitment to ensuring that organizations benefiting from public resources operate with a high level of accountability to the communities they serve.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 31E-17-1701, 31E-17-1702, 31E-17-1703