Lobbying in West Virginia

REGISTRATION: Those who lobby the West Virginia Legislature or state regulatory agencies must register as lobbyists with the West Virginia Ethics Commission if they receive compensation for lobbying or spend money on a public servant as a result of their lobbying activities. Registration must be renewed at the end of each even-numbered year.

EXEMPTIONS: The following people are exempt from registering as lobbyists: those who limit their lobbying activities to receptions, dinners, parties or other functions and do not expend any money; those who lobby without compensation and whose total expenditures do not exceed $150 during any calendar year; those who limit lobbying to appearing before legislative committee meetings or public hearings on state agencies; and those who lobby without compensation for a nonprofit organization and who limit activities to no more than 20 days during the legislative session and make no expenditures.

TRAINING: Training is required before lobbying begins and within 90 days of registration. Lobbyists can satisfy their training requirements by watching a DVD from the Ethics Commission or attending a live training session. Lobbyists must complete one training course per registration cycle.

REPORTING: Lobbyists are required to file three reports every year to the Ethics Commission. The reports include all expenditures made by the lobbyist or by his or her employer on legislators, government officials or employees, as well as personal political contributions to incumbents or to successful candidates for state office.

AUDITS: All registered lobbyists are subject to random audits to determine if they have accurately completed their reports. No lobbyist is subject to a random audit more than once in any 24-month period.

GIFTS: There are restrictions on gifts that a public official or employee may accept. The most common acceptable gifts are legal campaign contributions, meals and beverages, gifts that don't total more than $25 in value for any one year, ceremonial gifts or awards with insignificant monetary value and payment of reasonable food, travel and lodging expenses so that a public servant may speak or participate in a panel discussion at a meeting.

Who is well-represented?

There are 491 businesses, associations and special interest groups represented by lobbyists, according to the West Virginia Ethics Commission.

Appalachian Power, the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce, Hospital Association of West Virginia and Independent Oil and Gas Association of West Virginia each list six lobbyists.

Allegheny Energy, Brickstreet Mutual Insurance Co., West Virginia Coal Association, Mountain State Blue Cross and Blue Shield and the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers Association are each fielding five.

Twenty-one groups have four lobbyists each.

Which lobbyists are most active?

Lobbyists are required to report to the West Virginia Ethics Commission the names of their clients as well as expenditures made by the lobbyist or his or her employer on legislators and government officials. Following is a list of the 10 lobbyists who were the most active in 2009:

PAUL HARDESTY

Office location: Logan

2009 expenditures: $15,093

Clients: 25

Represents: Greenbrier Resort Hotel; Appalachian Power; Brickstreet Mutual Insurance Co.

CAROL FULKS

Office location: Charleston

2009 expenditures: $12,451

Clients: 4

Represents: West Virginia Hospitality and Travel Association; West Virginia Breeders Classics; Kanawha Valley Raceway Park; West Virginia Thoroughbred Breeders Association

CHARLIE BURD

Office location: Charleston

2009 expenditures: $10,058

Clients: 1

Represents: Independent Oil & Gas Association of West Virginia

CHRIS HAMILTON

Office location: Charleston

2009 expenditures: $9,904

Clients: 1

Represents: West Virginia Coal Association

NELSON ROBINSON JR.

Office location: Charleston

2009 expenditures: $9,714

Clients: 10

Represents: West Virginia Municipal League; West Virginia Retailers Association; Mountaineer Race Track and Gaming Resort

BILL RANEY

Office location: Charleston

2009 expenditures: $9,652

Clients: 1

Represents: West Virginia Coal Association

JANET VINEYARD

Office location: Charleston

2009 expenditures: $9,264

Clients: 3

Represents: West Virginia Business and Industry Council; West Virginia Motor Truck Association; Oil Marketers and Grocers Association

PATTI HAMILTON

Office location: Charleston

2009 expenditures: $9,107

Clients: 1

Represents: West Virginia Association of Counties

LISA DOOLEY

Office location: Charleston

2009 expenditures: $7,957

Clients: 1

Represents: West Virginia Municipal League

JOE ELLISON

Office location: Charleston

2009 expenditures: $7,657

Clients: 1

Represents: West Virginia Bankers Association.

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