Bill > HB2465

This bill aims to prohibit counties, towns, municipalities, and consolidated local governments from using taxpayer-funded money to hire lobbyists to represent them at the state level. The legislation specifically targets local government entities' practice of paying for professional advocates (lobbyists) who typically work to influence state legislators or government officials on behalf of the local government's interests. Under this proposed law, no county commission, consolidated local government governing body, or municipal governing body (including towns, villages, cities) would be permitted to use tax revenue to contract with lobbyists for state-level representation. The bill effectively seeks to prevent local governments from spending public funds on professional lobbying efforts, potentially reducing taxpayer expenditures and changing how local governments communicate their interests to state-level policymakers. By creating new sections in existing legal chapters about local government and municipal corporations, the bill establishes a clear prohibition on using tax dollars for lobbying services at the state level.

Government Affairs

http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/Bills_history.cfm?input=2465&year=2025&sessiontype=RS&btype=bill