Virginia House Bill HB911

Virginia 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/9/24
• Refer: 1/9/24

Caption

Va. Conflict of Interest & Ethics Advisory Council; annual audit of certain disclosure forms.

Impact

The introduction of this legislation would significantly alter existing protocols surrounding lobbying in Virginia. By making electronic filing mandatory, the bill is likely to streamline the reporting process, thereby enhancing the ability of state officials to monitor lobbying activities easily. Furthermore, the creation of a searchable database for public information on lobbying activities represents a major step towards transparency, allowing citizens to access and scrutinize information regarding lobbyist disclosures and expenditures. This change is intended to empower the public and strengthen the trust in governmental operations.

Summary

House Bill 911 addresses the oversight of lobbying activities and the ethical responsibilities of legislators and lobbyists in Virginia. The bill requires enhanced electronic filing and public accessibility of disclosure forms related to lobbying activities. It mandates that all required disclosure forms are submitted electronically, ensuring a standardized method of filing and verification of compliance. Additionally, the bill establishes provisions for civil penalties against legislators who fail to meet disclosure requirements, thus promoting accountability in governmental actions and reducing conflicts of interest.

Contention

However, there is contention surrounding the bill primarily regarding its implications for local government operations and the burden of compliance it may impose on lobbyists and legislators. Critics argue that while promoting transparency is crucial, enforcing rigorous disclosure might inadvertently disadvantage small organizations and independent lobbyists who may find the electronic filing requirements overly burdensome. Additionally, concerns have been raised about the possible chill effect on grassroots lobbying efforts due to stringent penalties for noncompliance, thereby stunting the involvement of smaller entities in the political process.