Virginia Law

Article 3. Registration of Lobbyists.

The General Assembly finds and declares the following:

1. The operation of open and responsible government requires the fullest opportunity to be afforded to the people to petition their government for the redress of grievances and to express freely their opinions on legislative and executive actions.

2. The identity and expenditures of certain persons who attempt to influence legislative and executive actions with respect to legislation and executive orders should be publicly identified to preserve and maintain the integrity of government.

1994, cc. 857, 937, § 2.1-779; 2001, c. 844.

As used in this article, unless the context requires a different meaning:

"Anything of value" means:

1. A pecuniary item, including money, or a bank bill or note;

2. A promissory note, bill of exchange, order, draft, warrant, check, or bond given for the payment of money;

3. A contract, agreement, promise, or other obligation for an advance, conveyance, forgiveness of indebtedness, deposit, distribution, loan, payment, gift, pledge, or transfer of money;

4. A stock, bond, note, or other investment interest in an entity;

5. A receipt given for the payment of money or other property;

6. A right in action;

7. A gift, tangible good, chattel, or an interest in a gift, tangible good, or chattel;

8. A loan or forgiveness of indebtedness;

9. A work of art, antique, or collectible;

10. An automobile or other means of personal transportation;

11. Real property or an interest in real property, including title to realty, a fee simple or partial interest, present or future, contingent or vested within realty, a leasehold interest, or other beneficial interest in realty;

12. An honorarium or compensation for services;

13. A rebate or discount in the price of anything of value unless the rebate or discount is made in the ordinary course of business to a member of the public without regard to that person's status as an executive or legislative official, or the sale or trade of something for reasonable compensation that would ordinarily not be available to a member of the public;

14. A promise or offer of employment; or

15. Any other thing of value that is pecuniary or compensatory in value to a person.

"Anything of value" does not mean a campaign contribution properly received and reported pursuant to Chapter 9.3 (§ 24.2-945 et seq.) of Title 24.2.

"Compensation" means:

1. An advance, conveyance, forgiveness of indebtedness, deposit, distribution, loan, payment, gift, pledge, or transfer of money or anything of value; or

2. A contract, agreement, promise or other obligation for an advance, conveyance, forgiveness of indebtedness, deposit, distribution, loan, payment, gift, pledge, or transfer of money or anything of value, for services rendered or to be rendered.

"Compensation" does not mean reimbursement of expenses if the reimbursement does not exceed the amount actually expended for the expenses and it is substantiated by an itemization of expenses.

"Council" means the Virginia Conflict of Interest and Ethics Advisory Council established in § 30-355.

"Executive action" means the proposal, drafting, development, consideration, amendment, adoption, approval, promulgation, issuance, modification, rejection, or postponement by an executive agency or official of legislation or executive orders issued by the Governor. "Executive action" includes procurement transactions.

"Executive agency" means an agency, board, commission, or other body in the executive branch of state government. "Executive agency" includes the State Corporation Commission, the Virginia Workers' Compensation Commission, and the Virginia Lottery.

"Executive official" means:

1. The Governor;

2. The Lieutenant Governor;

3. The Attorney General;

4. Any officer or employee of the office of the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, or Attorney General other than a clerical or secretarial employee;

5. The Governor's Secretaries, the Deputy Secretaries, and the chief executive officer of each executive agency; or

6. Members of supervisory and policy boards, commissions and councils, as defined in § 2.2-2100, however selected.

"Expenditure" means:

1. A purchase, payment, distribution, loan, forgiveness of a loan or payment of a loan by a third party, advance, deposit, transfer of funds, a promise to make a payment, or a gift of money or anything of value for any purpose;

2. A payment to a lobbyist for salary, fee, reimbursement for expenses, or other purpose by a person employing, retaining, or contracting for the services of the lobbyist separately or jointly with other persons;

3. A payment in support of or assistance to a lobbyist or the lobbyist's activities, including the direct payment of expenses incurred at the request or suggestion of the lobbyist;

4. A payment that directly benefits an executive or legislative official or a member of the official's immediate family;

5. A payment, including compensation, payment, or reimbursement for the services, time, or expenses of an employee for or in connection with direct communication with an executive or legislative official;

6. A payment for or in connection with soliciting or urging other persons to enter into direct communication with an executive or legislative official; or

7. A payment or reimbursement for categories of expenditures required to be reported pursuant to this chapter.

"Expenditure" does not mean a campaign contribution properly received and reported pursuant to Chapter 9.3 (§ 24.2-945 et seq.) of Title 24.2.

"Fair market value" means the price that a good or service would bring between a willing seller and a willing buyer in the open market after negotiations. If the fair market value cannot be determined, the actual price paid for the good or service shall be given consideration.

"Gift" means anything of value, including any gratuity, favor, discount, entertainment, hospitality, loan, forbearance, or other item having monetary value, and includes services as well as gifts of transportation, local travel, lodgings, and meals, whether provided in-kind or by purchase of a ticket, payment in advance, or reimbursement after the expense has been incurred.

"Gift" does not mean:

1. Printed informational or promotional material;

2. A gift that is not used and, no later than 60 days after receipt, is returned to the donor or delivered to a charitable organization and is not claimed as a charitable contribution for federal income tax purposes;

3. A devise or inheritance;

4. A gift of a value of less than $20;

5. Any offer of a ticket, coupon, or other admission or pass unless the ticket, coupon, admission, or pass is used;

6. Any food or beverages provided to an individual at an event at which the individual is performing official duties related to his public service;

7. Any food and beverages received at or registration or attendance fees waived for any event at which the individual is a featured speaker, presenter, or lecturer;

8. An unsolicited award of appreciation or recognition in the form of a plaque, trophy, wall memento, or similar item that is given in recognition of public, civic, charitable, or professional service;

9. Any gift to an individual's spouse, child, uncle, aunt, niece, nephew, or first cousin; a person to whom the donee is engaged to be married; the donee's or his spouse's parent, grandparent, grandchild, brother, sister, step-parent, step-grandparent, step-grandchild, step-brother, or step-sister; or the donee's brother's or sister's spouse or the donee's son-in-law or daughter-in-law;

10. Travel provided to facilitate attendance by a legislator at a regular or special session of the General Assembly, a meeting of a legislative committee or commission, or a national conference where attendance is approved by the House Committee on Rules or its Chairman or the Senate Committee on Rules or its Chairman;

11. Travel related to an official meeting of, or any meal provided for attendance at such meeting by, the Commonwealth, its political subdivisions, or any board, commission, authority, or other entity, or any charitable organization established pursuant to § 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code affiliated with such entity, to which such person has been appointed or elected or is a member by virtue of his office or employment; or

12. Attendance at a reception or similar function where food, such as hors d'oeuvres, and beverages that can be conveniently consumed by a person while standing or walking are offered.

"Immediate family" means (i) the spouse and (ii) any other person who resides in the same household as the executive or legislative official and who is a dependent of the official.

"Legislative action" means:

1. Preparation, research, drafting, introduction, consideration, modification, amendment, approval, passage, enactment, tabling, postponement, defeat, or rejection of a bill, resolution, amendment, motion, report, nomination, appointment, or other matter by the General Assembly or a legislative official;

2. Action by the Governor in approving, vetoing, or recommending amendments for a bill passed by the General Assembly; or

3. Action by the General Assembly in overriding or sustaining a veto by the Governor, considering amendments recommended by the Governor, or considering, confirming, or rejecting an appointment of the Governor.

"Legislative official" means:

1. A member or member-elect of the General Assembly;

2. A member of a committee, subcommittee, commission, or other entity established by and responsible to the General Assembly or either house of the General Assembly; or

3. Persons employed by the General Assembly or an entity established by and responsible to the General Assembly.

"Lobbying" means:

1. Influencing or attempting to influence executive or legislative action through oral or written communication with an executive or legislative official; or

2. Solicitation of others to influence an executive or legislative official.

"Lobbying" does not mean:

1. Requests for appointments, information on the status of pending executive and legislative actions, or other ministerial contacts if there is no attempt to influence executive or legislative actions;

2. Responses to published notices soliciting public comment submitted to the public official designated in the notice to receive the responses;

3. The solicitation of an association by its members to influence legislative or executive action; or

4. Communications between an association and its members and communications between a principal and its lobbyists.

"Lobbyist" means:

1. An individual who is employed and receives payments, or who contracts for economic consideration, including reimbursement for reasonable travel and living expenses, for the purpose of lobbying;

2. An individual who represents an organization, association, or other group for the purpose of lobbying; or

3. A local government employee who lobbies.

"Lobbyist's principal" or "principal" means the entity on whose behalf the lobbyist influences or attempts to influence executive or legislative action. An organization whose employees conduct lobbying activities on its behalf is both a principal and an employer of the lobbyists. In the case of a coalition or association that employs or retains others to conduct lobbying activities on behalf of its membership, the principal is the coalition or association and not its individual members.

"Local government" means:

1. Any county, city, town, or other local or regional political subdivision;

2. Any school division;

3. Any organization or entity that exercises governmental powers that is established pursuant to an interstate compact; or

4. Any organization composed of members representing entities listed in subdivisions 1, 2, or 3 of this definition.

"Local government employee" means a public employee of a local government.

"Person" means an individual, proprietorship, firm, partnership, joint venture, joint stock company, syndicate, business trust, estate, company, corporation, association, club, committee, organization, or group of persons acting in concert.

"Procurement transaction" means all functions that pertain to obtaining all goods, services, or construction on behalf of an executive agency, including description of requirements, selection and solicitation of sources, preparation and award of contract, and all phases of contract administration where the stated or expected value of the contract is $5 million or more.

"Secretary" means the Secretary of the Commonwealth.

"Value" means the actual cost or fair market value of an item or items, whichever is greater. If the fair market value cannot be determined, the actual amount paid for the item or items shall be given consideration.

"Widely attended event" means an event at which at least 25 persons have been invited to attend or there is a reasonable expectation that at least 25 persons will attend the event and the event is open to individuals (i) who are members of a public, civic, charitable, or professional organization, (ii) who are from a particular industry or profession, or (iii) who represent persons interested in a particular issue.

1994, cc. 857, 937, § 2.1-780; 2001, c. 844; 2006, cc. 787, 843, 892; 2014, cc. 225, 792, 804; 2015, cc. 763, 777; 2016, cc. 773, 774; 2017, cc. 829, 832.

The registration and reporting provisions of this article shall not apply to:

1. The Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, and their immediate staffs or the Governor's Secretaries and their immediate staffs, acting in an official capacity;

2. Members of the General Assembly and other legislative officials and legislative employees acting in an official capacity;

3. Local elected officials acting in an official capacity;

4. Any employee of a state executive agency acting in an official capacity;

5. A duly elected or appointed official or employee of the United States acting in an official capacity;

6. An individual who limits lobbying solely to (i) formal testimony before a public meeting of an executive agency or legislative body and registers the appearance in the records of the agency or body and (ii) testimony and information compelled by action of an executive agency or legislative body;

7. A person who receives $500 or less in compensation and reimbursements, excluding personal living and travel expenses that are not reimbursed from any other source, in a calendar year for his lobbying activities;

8. A person who receives no compensation or anything of value for lobbying, and does not expend more than $500, excluding personal living and travel expenses that are not reimbursed from any other source, in lobbying in the calendar year; or

9. An employee of a business, other entity, or local government whose job duties do not regularly include lobbying.

1994, cc. 857, 937, § 2.1-781; 2001, c. 844; 2006, c. 843; 2015, cc. 763, 777.

A. The chief administrative officer of each board, department, institution, or agency of the Commonwealth shall file a registration statement with the Secretary of the Commonwealth on behalf of the officers and employees who will be engaged in lobbying as defined in § 2.2-419 and shall comply with the provisions of this article that require lobbyists to register with the Secretary of the Commonwealth. No fee shall be collected for registrations required by this section.

B. Any state governmental body required to file a registration under this section shall comply with the provisions of this article relating to registration.

C. The registration requirements of this section shall not apply to:

1. The Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General and their immediate staffs, or the Governor's Secretaries and their deputies and immediate staffs, acting in an official capacity;

2. Members of the General Assembly and other legislative officials and legislative employees acting in an official capacity;

3. The chief administrative officer of each department or division in the executive branch of state government;

4. The chief administrative officer of each division of the State Corporation Commission; or

5. Any state government employee acting in an official capacity.

1994, c. 915, § 2.1-781.1; 2001, c. 844.

A. A lobbyist shall register with the Secretary of the Commonwealth prior to engaging in lobbying. A lobbyist who engages in lobbying entirely outside the capital city shall comply with this section by registering with the Secretary within fifteen days after first engaging in lobbying. Registration shall be required annually and expire May 1 of each year.

B. The chief administrative officer of each local government shall register with the Secretary of the Commonwealth and file a statement pursuant to § 2.2-423 if any local government employees will act as lobbyists on its behalf. No registration fee shall be required. Each local government shall file a consolidated report in accordance with the reporting requirements of § 2.2-426 and shall maintain locally a copy of the report that is available for inspection and copying during regular business hours.

C. All registrations required by this section shall be filed electronically in accordance with the standards approved by the Council.

1994, cc. 857, 937, § 2.1-782; 2001, c. 844; 2017, cc. 829, 832.

A. The registration statement shall be on a form provided by the Secretary of the Commonwealth and include the following information:

1. The name and business address and telephone number of the lobbyist;

2. The name and business address and telephone number of the person who will keep custody of the lobbyist's and the lobbyist's principal's accounts and records required to comply with this article, and the location and telephone number for the place where the accounts and records are kept;

3. The name and business address and telephone number of the lobbyist's principal;

4. The kind of business of the lobbyist's principal;

5. For each principal, the full name of the individual to whom the lobbyist reports;

6. For each principal, a statement whether the lobbyist is employed or retained and whether exclusively for the purpose of lobbying;

7. The position held by the lobbyist if he is a part-time or full-time employee of the principal;

8. An identification of the subject matter (with as much specificity as possible) with regard to which the lobbyist or lobbyist's principal will engage in lobbying; and

9. The statement of the lobbyist, which shall be signed either originally or by electronic signature as authorized by the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act (§ 59.1-479 et seq.), that the information contained on the registration statement is true and correct.

B. The lobbyist and the lobbyist's principal shall be notified at the time of the registration that the principal may elect to waive the principal signature requirement on disclosure filings submitted by its registered lobbyist after the filing of the registration statement. The waiver shall be on a form prescribed by the Council and may be filed electronically with the Council in accordance with the standards approved by it pursuant to § 30-356.

C. Whenever any change, modification, or addition to his status as a lobbyist is made, including the termination of his status as a lobbyist, the lobbyist shall, within one week of such change, modification, or addition, furnish full information regarding the same to the Secretary of the Commonwealth on forms provided by the Secretary.

D. The Secretary of the Commonwealth shall furnish a copy of this article to any individual offering to register as a lobbyist and shall mail by certified mail a copy of this article and a copy of the information furnished by the lobbyist to the person whom the lobbyist represents to be his principal.

E. If the principal to whom the information is sent under subsection D does not, within 10 days of such mailing, file an affidavit, signed by the person or duly authorized agent of the person, denying that the lobbyist appears on his behalf, such person shall be deemed to have appointed the Secretary of the Commonwealth his agent for service of process in any prosecution arising for violation of this article. If such affidavit is filed, the Secretary shall notify the attorney for the Commonwealth of the City of Richmond.

1994, cc. 857, 937, § 2.1-783; 2001, c. 844; 2011, cc. 123, 177; 2014, cc. 792, 804; 2017, cc. 829, 832.

The Secretary shall collect an annual registration fee of $100 from the lobbyist for each principal for whom, or on whose behalf, the lobbyist will act. This fee shall be deposited into the general fund and used exclusively to fund the Council.

1994, cc. 857, 937, § 2.1-784; 2001, c. 844; 2015, cc. 763, 777.

A. The Secretary of the Commonwealth shall maintain in a legislative docket the information filed under § 2.2-423 pertaining to lobbying involving legislative actions during any session of the General Assembly. The Secretary shall furnish current, complete lists thereof to the clerk of each house and to each member of the General Assembly once every two weeks during the session of the General Assembly beginning with the convening of the General Assembly.

B. The Secretary of the Commonwealth shall prepare a list of executive officials, their positions and names, to be revised at least semi-annually and made available to lobbyists to assist them in complying with the provisions of this article.

1994, cc. 857, 937, § 2.1-785; 2001, c. 844.

A. Each lobbyist shall file with the Council a separate annual report of expenditures, including gifts, for each principal for whom he lobbies by July 1 for the preceding 12-month period complete through the last day of April.

B. Each principal who expends more than $500 to employ or compensate multiple lobbyists shall be responsible for filing a consolidated lobbyist report pursuant to this section in any case in which the lobbyists are each exempt under the provisions of subdivision 7 or 8 of § 2.2-420 from the reporting requirements of this section.

C. The report shall be on a form prescribed by the Council and shall be accompanied by instructions provided by the Council. All reports shall be submitted electronically and in accordance with the standards approved by the Council pursuant to the provisions of § 30-356.

D. A person who knowingly and intentionally makes a false statement of a material fact on the disclosure statement is guilty of a Class 5 felony.

E. The name of a legislative or executive official, or a member of his immediate family, attending any reportable entertainment event shall not be required to be disclosed by the principal if that legislative or executive official reimburses the principal for, or otherwise pays for, his attendance, or the attendance of a member of his immediate family, at the entertainment event. Reimbursement shall be calculated using the average value for each person attending the event.

F. Each lobbyist shall send to each legislative and executive official who is required to be identified by name on Schedule A or B of the Lobbyist's Disclosure Form a copy of Schedule A or B or a summary of the information pertaining to that official. Copies or summaries shall be provided to the official by January 10 for the preceding 12-month period complete through December 31. In addition, each lobbyist shall send to each legislator and executive official who is required to file a report of gifts accepted or received during a regular session of the General Assembly pursuant to § 2.2-3114.2 or 30-110.1 a summary of all gifts made by such lobbyist to each legislator or executive official or a member of his immediate family during the period beginning on January 1 complete through adjournment sine die of the regular session of the General Assembly. Summaries shall be provided to the legislator or executive official no later than three weeks after adjournment sine die. For purposes of this section, "adjournment sine die" means adjournment on the last legislative day of the regular session and does not include the reconvened session.

1994, cc. 857, 937, § 2.1-786; 1997, cc. 616, 635, 843; 1998, c. 732; 2000, c. 297; 2001, c. 844; 2002, cc. 248, 491; 2005, c. 90; 2006, c. 843; 2014, cc. 792, 804; 2015, cc. 763, 777; 2016, cc. 773, 774; 2017, cc. 829, 832.

Registration statements shall be open to public inspection and copying during the regular business hours of the office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth. Lobbying reports shall be open to public inspection and copying during the regular business hours of the Council.

Registration statements shall be deemed to have been filed only when actually received in the office of the Secretary or mailed to the Secretary by registered, certified, or regular mail with the sender retaining sufficient proof of mailing, which may be a United States Postal Certificate of Mailing. Lobbying reports shall be deemed to have been filed only when received by the Council in accordance with the standards approved by the Council pursuant to § 30-356.

1994, cc. 857, 937, § 2.1-787; 2001, c. 844; 2016, cc. 773, 774.

A. The Virginia Conflict of Interest and Ethics Advisory Council shall accept any lobbyist's disclosure statements required by § 2.2-426 filed by computer or electronic means in accordance with the standards approved by the Council pursuant to the provisions of § 30-356.

B. The Secretary shall establish a lobbyist disclosure database, available to the public, from required disclosure statements filed electronically and may enter into that database information from required disclosure statements filed by other methods. The Secretary shall maintain such database until January 1, 2016.

1997, cc. 364, 392, § 2.1-787.1; 2001, c. 844; 2014, cc. 792, 804.

A lobbyist and a lobbyist's principal shall preserve for a period of two years all accounts, bills, books, papers, receipts, and other documents and records necessary to substantiate the expenditure reports submitted under this article.

1994, cc. 857, 937, § 2.1-788; 2001, c. 844.

A. A lobbyist or a lobbyist's principal may terminate the lobbyist's status as a lobbyist for such principal at any time prior to the expiration of his registration. Upon termination, the lobbyist may file the report required under § 2.2-426 at any time, but shall file the report no later than the deadline set forth in that section. Such report shall indicate that the lobbyist intends to use the report as the final accounting of lobbying activity and shall include information complete through the last day of lobbying activity and the effective date of the termination. The report shall be signed by the lobbyist's principal as otherwise required.

B. A lobbyist's principal who terminates the services of a lobbyist prior to the expiration of the lobbyist's registration shall provide actual notice to the lobbyist. Such notice shall inform the lobbyist that he is required to file the report required under § 2.2-426 no later than the deadline set forth in that section and that the lobbyist's failure to file such report by the deadline shall result in the assessment of civil penalties against the lobbyist pursuant to § 2.2-431. The lobbyist's principal shall also notify the Secretary of the Commonwealth of the early termination in accordance with subsection B of § 2.2-423.

1994, cc. 857, 937, § 2.1-789; 2001, c. 844; 2015, cc. 763, 777; 2017, cc. 829, 832.

A. Every lobbyist failing to file the statement prescribed by § 2.2-426 within the time prescribed therein shall be assessed a civil penalty of $50, and every individual failing to file the statement within 10 days after the time prescribed herein shall be assessed an additional civil penalty of $50 per day from the eleventh day of such default until the statement is filed. The Council shall notify the Secretary of any lobbyist's failure to file the statement within the time prescribed, and the penalties shall be assessed and collected by the Secretary. The Attorney General shall assist the Secretary in collecting the penalties, upon request.

B. Every lobbyist's principal whose lobbyist fails to file the statement prescribed by § 2.2-426 shall be assessed a civil penalty of $50, and shall be assessed an additional civil penalty of $50 per day from the eleventh day of such default until the statement is filed. The Council shall notify the Secretary of any lobbyist's failure to file the statement within the time prescribed, and the penalties shall be assessed and collected by the Secretary. The Attorney General shall assist the Secretary in collecting the penalties, upon request.

C. No individual who has failed to file the statement required by § 2.2-426 or who has failed to pay all penalties assessed pursuant to this section, shall register or act as a lobbyist as long as he remains in default.

D. Whenever any lobbyist or lobbyist's principal is or will be in default under § 2.2-426, and the reasons for such default are or will be beyond the lobbyist's control, the control of the lobbyist's principal, or both, the Secretary may suspend the assessment of any penalty otherwise assessable and accept a substituted statement, upon the submission of sworn proofs that shall satisfy him that the default has been beyond the control of the lobbyist or the lobbyist's principal, and that the substituted statement contains the most accurate and complete information available after the exercise of due diligence.

E. Penalties collected pursuant to this section shall be payable to the State Treasurer for deposit to the general fund and shall be used exclusively to fund the Council.

1994, cc. 857, 937, § 2.1-790; 2001, c. 844; 2015, cc. 763, 777; 2017, cc. 829, 832.

It shall be unlawful for any individual to lobby for compensation that is dependent in any manner upon the outcome of any legislative or executive action.

1994, cc. 857, 937, § 2.1-791; 2001, c. 844.

A. No lobbyist shall:

1. Lobby in violation of the provisions of this article;

2. Make any expenditure, or obligate himself to do so, in connection with lobbying, unless he fully discloses the expenditure as required in this article; or

3. Misrepresent in any material respect or omit any information required to be reported pursuant to this article.

B. No lobbyist's principal shall:

1. Fail to file any statement required to be filed by the provisions of this article;

2. Misrepresent in any material respect or omit any information required to be reported pursuant to this article; or

3. Violate any of the provisions of this article.

C. Except as provided in subsection D of § 2.2-426, any lobbyist or lobbyist's principal violating any provision of this article shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. However, a lobbyist who receives no compensation or anything of value for lobbying shall not be subject to the criminal penalties prescribed by this section.

1994, cc. 857, 937, § 2.1-792; 2001, c. 844.

Employment of a lobbyist for compensation by an officer, board, institution or agency of the Commonwealth, is expressly prohibited; however, this section shall not apply to any individual who is a full-time or part-time employee of such office, board, department, institution or agency of the Commonwealth.

1994, cc. 857, 937, § 2.1-793; 2001, c. 844.

The chairman or any full-time paid employee of a state political party, as defined in § 24.2-101, or a member of his immediate family, as defined in § 2.2-3101, shall not be employed as a lobbyist by any principal.

1994, cc. 857, 937, § 2.1-794; 2001, c. 844.