HB 2122 (Watts) State and Local Government Conflict of Interests Act; Virginia Conflict of Interest and Ethics Advisory Council; training for members of appointed school boards. Adds members of appointed school boards to the list of persons for whom the Virginia Conflict of Interest and Ethics Advisory Council is required to provide certain training sessions. The bill also changes from January 15 to February 1 the annual date for certain employees to file a disclosure statement with the Virginia Conflict of Interest and Ethics Advisory Council. This bill has passed both chambers.
Failed
HB 1911 (Batten) State and Local Government Conflict of Interests Act; certain gifts prohibited; foreign countries of concern. Prohibits officers and employees of state and local governments from receiving a gift with a value exceeding $100 for which the fair market value or a gift of greater or equal value has not been provided or exchanged from foreign countries of concern, defined in the bill. This bill passed the House but was done in by the Senate.
HB 2281 (Shin) Virginia Conflict of Interest and Ethics Advisory Council; powers and duties; complaints; penalties. Authorizes the Virginia Conflict of Interest and Ethics Advisory Council to investigate alleged violations of the State and Local Government Conflict of Interests Act and the General Assembly Conflicts of Interests Act (the Acts). The Council may initiate an investigation upon its own motion or in response to a complaint filed by a resident of the Commonwealth who has firsthand knowledge of an alleged violation. The bill directs the Council to review the disclosure forms filed by members of the General Assembly for compliance with applicable disclosure requirements and limitations on gifts and the accuracy of all information disclosed and authorizes the Council to initiate an investigation based on the findings of this review. The bill increases from a Class 1 misdemeanor to a Class 6 felony the penalty for any knowing violation of the General Assembly Conflicts of Interests Act. This bill was left in House General Laws and is dead.
VACo Contact: Phyllis Errico, Esq., CAE