Lobbying; expands definition to include influencing/attempting to influence local government action.
Summary
Lobbying; registration; local governments; penalty. Expands the definition of "lobbying" to include influencing or attempting to influence local government action, defined in the bill, or solicitation of others to influence a local government official, also defined in the bill. Current law limits such influencing to executive or legislative action and soliciting to executive or legislative officials. The bill requires the Secretary of the Commonwealth to prepare a list of the positions and names of local government officials to be revised at least semi-annually and made available to lobbyists to assist them in complying with the provisions of the bill. The bill has a delayed effective date of May 1, 2027.
Bill status
passed
4 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Nov 2025
Committee Review
Mar 2026
Senate Passage
Feb 2026
House of Delegates Passage
Mar 2026
Governor
Introduced Nov 24, 2025
Last action Mar 9, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons
What changed between versions
General Laws Substitute
→
Procurement/Open Government Subcommittee Substitute
·
4 edits
MODERATE
The bill text was reformatted from a 'General Laws Substitute' version to a 'House Substitute' version, primarily changing the layout and header information while maintaining the same substantive legislative content. The core lobbying regulations, definitions, exemptions, and reporting requirements remain unchanged.
TECHNICAL
Header information changed from 'General Laws Substitute' to 'House Substitute' with updated formatting and page numbering.
Date formatting changed from 'OFFERED FOR CONSIDERATION 3/03/2026' to '2026 SESSION' with different header layout.
Page number and bill identifier changed from '26108974D' to 'SB50HC2' with different positioning.
Line breaks and spacing were reorganized throughout the document, though all substantive text content remains identical.
Floor votes · Senate Feb 4, 2026 · House of Delegates Mar 9, 2026
How they voted
39–0
Passed
Total votes 39
Feb 4, 2026
D
Democratic20
100% Yea
R
Republican19
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
24
Key actions
7
Committee
7
Mar 9, 2026
House Of Delegates · Passed
House of Delegates Vote: pass (21-0)
house of delegates
Mar 3, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported from General Laws with substitute and referred to Appropriations (15-Y 6-N)
lower
Mar 3, 2026
Lower · Passed
House subcommittee offered
lower
Feb 23, 2026
Committee
Assigned HGL sub: Procurement/Open Government
lower
Feb 12, 2026
Committee
Referred to Committee on General Laws
lower
Feb 6, 2026
Upper · Passed
Read third time and passed Senate (21-Y 19-N 0-A)
upper
Feb 4, 2026
Upper · Passed
Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
upper
Feb 3, 2026
Upper · Passed
Reported from Finance and Appropriations (10-Y 4-N)
upper
Jan 21, 2026
Upper · Passed
Reported from General Laws and Technology and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (8-Y 3-N 4-A)
upper
Nov 24, 2025
Committee
Referred to Committee on General Laws and Technology
upper
1 primary · 1 co-sponsor
Sponsors
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