Bill > SB416

This bill, starting July 1, 2026, prohibits any local government, referred to as a "political subdivision," from using taxpayer money to pay for lobbying services, which includes the salary of a lobbyist and reimbursement for their expenses. Lobbying is the act of attempting to influence decisions made by officials in a government, such as legislators. While this ban is broad, there are several exceptions, including for elected sheriffs or individual law enforcement officers, and it does not prevent officers or employees from providing information to legislators, appearing before legislative committees, or elected officials from advocating for or against legislation while acting in their official capacity. It also allows for reimbursement of direct travel expenses for these permitted activities and permits full-time employees of nonprofit associations primarily representing political subdivisions to provide legislative services like bill tracking, analysis, alerts, and communicate with legislators without needing to register as a lobbyist, or to testify before the legislature. If a political subdivision violates this ban, taxpayers or residents can sue to stop the prohibited activity and recover their legal costs if they win.

Government Affairs

http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/Bills_history.cfm?input=416&year=2026&sessiontype=RS&btype=bill