West VirginiaWest Virginia keeps some campaign donor and treasurer details private
Starting January 1, 2027, campaign financial statements keep some contributors’ and treasurers’ personal details from public view, while government entities may still receive them for legally allowed purposes.
What it does
Campaign financial statements keep contributors’ and loan participants’ street addresses and main sources of income, and treasurers’ street addresses, from public view. Government entities may receive the information for legally allowed purposes.
After certified-mail notice, an affected person may recover $1,000 for each report if the responsible government entity does not remove or cover the information within 10 business days. Knowing and willful disclosure by a state or local officer or employee is a misdemeanor.
Argument forKeeping home street addresses and contributors’ main sources of income out of public reports could reduce unwanted exposure for contributors and treasurers.
Argument againstPeople reviewing campaign finances may have less detail available because public reports leave out contributors’ street addresses and main sources of income.
More detail
Campaign financial statements may not make certain personal details public. This covers individuals who contribute or make or cosign loans, as well as treasurers, in campaign financial statements. Government entities may still receive the protected information for purposes allowed by federal law, state law, or a state rule. The rule applies to financial statements submitted on or after January 1, 2027; it does not apply to statements submitted before that date.
A person affected by an improper disclosure may seek a civil penalty, and knowing and willful public disclosure by a state or local officer or employee is a misdemeanor. The remedies cover people whose protected details are publicly disclosed and state or local officers or employees who disclose those details. The affected person must notify the responsible government agency or entity by certified mail, addressed to its lead employee. If the information is not removed or covered within 10 business days after the notice arrives, the person may recover $1,000 for each report that disclosed it. The misdemeanor applies only when a state or local officer or employee knowingly and willfully discloses protected information to the public in violation of the law. These penalties apply to disclosures that violate the privacy rule, which covers statements submitted on or after January 1, 2027.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jun 25Chapter 132, Acts, Regular Session, 2026Latest
- Mar 2Approved by Governor Patrick Morrisey 3/2/2026Major
- Mar 2Approved by Governor Patrick Morrisey 3/2/2026 - House JournalBecame Law
- Feb 25To Governor 2/24/2026 - House JournalTo Governor
- Feb 24To Governor 2/24/2026Minor
- Feb 24House received Senate message
- Feb 23Completed legislative action
- Vote recorded Senate concurred in House amendments and passed bill. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 23Communicated to House
- Feb 23Senate concurred in House amendments and passed bill (Roll No. 206)
- Feb 23House Message received
- Feb 20Communicated to Senate
- Vote recorded PASSAGE. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 20Title amendment adopted (Voice vote)
- Feb 20Passed House (Roll No. 141)Passed House
- Feb 20Read 3rd timeMinor
- Feb 20On 3rd reading, Special Calendar
- Feb 19Amendment rejected (Voice vote)Minor
- Feb 19Amendment reported by the Clerk
- Feb 19Amendment adopted (Voice vote)
- Feb 19Amendment reported by the Clerk
- Feb 19Read 2nd timeMinor
- Feb 19On 2nd reading, Special Calendar
- Feb 18Read 1st timeMinor
- Feb 18Immediate consideration
- Feb 18Reference dispensed
- Feb 18Introduced in HouseMinor
- Feb 18House received Senate message
- Feb 16Ordered to House
- Vote recorded Passage. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 16Passed Senate (Roll No. 95)Passed Senate
- Feb 16Read 3rd timeMinor
- Feb 16On 3rd reading
- Feb 13Read 2nd timeMinor
- Feb 13On 2nd reading
- Feb 12Read 1st timeMinor
- Feb 12On 1st reading
- Feb 11Committee substitute reported
- Jan 28To JudiciaryMinor
- Jan 28Introduced in SenateMinor
- Jan 28To JudiciaryMinor
- Jan 28Filed for introductionIntroduced
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