The bill introduced on February 17, 2026, aims to enhance public financial transparency for governmental entities in West Virginia by adding a new section, 6-9B-5, to the Code of West Virginia. It mandates that all state, county, and municipal governing bodies, as well as any boards or commissions appointed by these governments, participate in the West Virginia Checkbook system or a similar approved financial transparency platform. The bill establishes a compliance date for participation tied to the entities' fiscal or business year beginning in 2027, and sets standards for timely reporting of financial data, requiring that such data be made publicly available no more than two months after actual financial activity.

Additionally, the bill outlines public access requirements, including the obligation for entities to post links to their financial records on their official websites and social media accounts. It introduces civil penalties for non-compliance, including a $500 fine for each quarter an entity fails to participate in the required transparency platform, and escalating fines for delays in reporting financial data beyond the two-month threshold. The State Auditor's Office is granted the authority to enforce compliance, assess fines, and provide guidance for implementing the new transparency standards.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 6-9B-5