HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 112
(By Delegates Fleischauer, Argento, Barker, Beach, Blair, Brown,
Caputo, Cowles, Doyle, Eldridge, Ellem, Frazier, Guthrie,
Hamilton, Hatfield, Hutchins, Klempa, Longstreth, Louisos, Mahan,
Manchin, Marshall, Martin, Miley, J. Miller, Moore, Perdue, D.
Poling and Talbott)
Requesting that the Joint Committee on Government and Finance
conduct an interim study regarding the various benefits and
burdens upon all applicable parties in the context of the
implementation, enforcement, and compliance with the various
provisions of the West Virginia Code regarding reporting
requirements for lobbyists pursuant to article three, chapter
six-b of said code.
Whereas, The ability of various individuals to petition our
various government entities, including the West Virginia
Legislature, plays a critical role in maintaining and facilitating
a government by the people, and for the people, responsive to the
needs of the citizenry; and
Whereas, One aspect of the ability of individuals to petition
the West Virginia Legislature for a redress of various grievances
manifests itself in conduct known as "lobbying activity"; and
Whereas, To ensure said activity further facilitates and
enhances the responsiveness of the West Virginia Legislature to its
constituents, said Legislature must periodically review the various
lobbyist reporting requirements as contained in the West Virginia
Code; and
Whereas, The majority of the states and the federal government
have laws requiring that lobbyists disclose the source of their
funding, just like candidates for elected offices must submit an
itemized accounting of all of their contributions; and
Whereas, The federal government and many states ban "bonuses"
for lobbyists who are successful in passing or defeating
legislation; and
Whereas, The rationale for provisions requiring reporting of
lobbyists' funding is to promote transparency in the legislative
process. Like our campaign reporting laws, voters deserve to have
information about the money that is involved in attempting to
influence the legislative process; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance conduct a
study regarding the various benefits and burdens upon all
applicable parties in the context of the implementation,
enforcement, and compliance with the various provisions of the West
Virginia Code regarding reporting requirements for lobbyists
pursuant to article three, chapter six-B of said code; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and
Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature 2010, on
its findings, conclusions and recommendations, together with drafts
of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations;
and, be it
Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this
study, to prepare a report, and to draft necessary legislation be
paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on
Government and Finance.
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