Conflict of Interests Acts, State and Local Government and General Assembly; gifts, disclosures. (HB15)

Introduced By

Del. Bob Marshall (R-Manassas)

Progress

Introduced
Passed Committee
Passed House
Passed Senate
Signed by Governor
Became Law

Description

State and Local Government Conflict of Interests Act and General Assembly Conflicts of Interests Act; gifts; disclosures. Requires the disclosure on statements of economic interests for legislators and certain state and local government officers of gifts in excess of $100 made to immediate family members if such gift is made by a business, governmental entity, or individual that has transacted or is transacting business with the Commonwealth or its agencies, departments, or political subdivisions within 12 months from the date of the gift. "Immediate family member" is defined, for the purposes of gifts, to include (i) the filer's spouse; (ii) dependents residing with the filer; (iii) the filer's or his spouse's parent, grandparent, child, grandchild, brother, and sister; and (iv) any person habitually cohabiting with the filer in a relationship analogous to a marriage. The bill requires that legislators disclose gifts in excess of $100 accepted during a regular session of the General Assembly within five business days of the acceptance of the gift.

The bill also requires the disclosure on statements of economic interests for legislators and certain state and local government officers of liabilities owed by businesses in which the filer or an immediate family member holds an ownership interest.

Read the Bill »

Status

02/07/2014: Merged into HB1211

History

DateAction
11/19/2013Committee
11/19/2013Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/08/14 14100091D
11/19/2013Referred to Committee on Rules
01/06/2014Impact statement from VCSC (HB15)
01/08/2014Impact statement from DPB (HB15)
01/17/2014Referred from Rules
01/17/2014Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
01/21/2014Assigned Courts sub: Ethics
01/27/2014Subcommittee recommends incorporating (HB1211-Gilbert)
02/07/2014Incorporated by Courts of Justice (HB1211-Gilbert)

Comments

Editor’s Pick
Rick Sincere writes:

According to Article I, Section 15-A of the Constitution of Virginia "a relationship analogous to a marriage" has no legal standing in the Commonwealth. Wouldn't this proposed law conflict with that provision of the Constitution?

Gregg J writes:

All government officials and their family members should be barred from receiving gifts of any kind. Virginia has some of the weakest ethical standards in the nation and the former governor is proof of this. No one has ever given me a Rolex watch or shopping spree to NYC. Reason being, I don't have any political power. Political influence was the only reason gifts were given to the former governor and his wife.

marsha maines writes:

Rick Sincere is correct.
But that's the only ERROR I see in this bill. Considering it requires at LEAST 3 working adults to reside in ANY household to AVOID public welfare assistance of any form - this clause should be removed. Who is going to "prove" whether or not habitual Co-Habitators are co-habitating "analagous to marriage"? What if I collect DCSE laundered child support? That usually means there's AT LEAST 2 other males "co-habitating" with the female.I think that part crosses into the Religious area.

Robert H.W. writes:

Here! Here! Greg J! Why are gifts of any kind (monetary or otherwise) permitted to be accepted. As I was younger working a simple minimum way HARD LABOR job policy dictated that we were not permitted to accept a gift of any nature, and yet an ind visual appointed to a higher seat of power that is supposed to REPRESENT THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE is openly permitted ok do so. It makes me absolutely floored. Should you feel no shame? Its atrocious and our representatives are simply a joke. I hope y'all can rest your heads at night. Money. Money. Money......really original