HJ230: Commending the Virginia Association of Professional Lobbyists.
WHEREAS, the Virginia Association of Professional Lobbyists was established in 1998 as a means of encouraging and promoting high ethical standards and practices for lobbying at the General Assembly of Virginia and before the executive and legislative departments and agencies of the Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, in 1999 the Virginia Association of Professional Lobbyists developed a voluntary Lobbyist Code of Ethics to be observed by its members and all other lobbyists who are registered to practice in Virginia and developed and implemented a series of annual training programs for both newly registered and experienced lobbyists; and
WHEREAS, in 2004 the Virginia Association of Professional Lobbyists developed A Handbook for Lobbying in Virginia, a comprehensive guide designed to assist lobbyists in gaining an understanding of the purpose of, types of, and basic rules for lobbying, the need for high ethical standards in lobbying, the laws of Virginia that govern lobbying, the techniques of ethical lobbying, and Virginia's campaign finance laws; and
WHEREAS, the Virginia Association of Professional Lobbyists is currently developing a voluntary Lobbyist Standards of Professional Practice and Competency to promote a deeper knowledge and higher respect for, as well as a better compliance with, the association's Lobbyist Code of Ethics; and
WHEREAS, the lobbyist and political campaign finance scandals currently associated with the Congress of the United States demonstrate the need for high ethical standards of conduct and practice at the federal, state, and local governmental levels; and
WHEREAS, the Virginia Association of Professional Lobbyists’ programs represent a highly commendable and effective effort in promoting the achievement of high standards of ethical lobbying conduct at the state level for the past seven years; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly commend the Virginia Association of Professional Lobbyists for its efforts to further implement the Lobbyist Code of Ethics, to develop and deliver appropriate training programs for all lobbyists in the Commonwealth, and to develop a voluntary Lobbyist Standards of Professional Practice and Competency; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Virginia Association of Professional Lobbyists as an expression of the General Assembly’s appreciation of it efforts.
