2014 Virginia Code
Title 30 - General Assembly
§ 30-356. Powers and duties of the Council

The Council shall:

1. Review all disclosure forms filed by lobbyists pursuant to Article 3 and by state and local government officers and employees and legislators pursuant to the Acts. The Council shall review all disclosure forms for completeness, which shall include reviewing the information contained on the face of the form to determine if the disclosure form has been fully completed and comparing the disclosures contained in any disclosure form filed by a lobbyist pursuant to § 2.2-426 with other disclosure forms filed with the Council, and be followed by requests for amendments to ensure the completeness of and correction of errors in the forms, if necessary;

2. Accept any disclosure forms by computer or electronic means in accordance with the standards approved by the Council and using software meeting standards approved by it. The Council shall provide software to filers without charge and may prescribe the method of execution and certification of electronically filed forms, including the use of an electronic signature as authorized by the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act (§ 59.1-479 et seq.), and the procedures for receiving forms in the office of the Council;

3. Beginning July 1, 2015, establish and maintain a searchable electronic database comprising disclosure forms filed pursuant to §§ 2.2-426, 2.2-3117, 2.2-3118, and 30-111. Such database shall be available to the public through the Council's official website;

4. Furnish, upon request, formal advisory opinions or guidelines and other appropriate information, including informal advice, regarding ethics and conflicts issues arising under Article 3 or the Acts to any person or to any agency of state or local government, in an expeditious manner. Informal advice given by the Council is confidential, protected by the attorney-client privilege, and is excluded from the provisions of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (§ 2.2-3700 et seq.);

5. Conduct training seminars and educational programs for lobbyists, state and local government officers and employees and legislators, and other interested persons on the requirements of Article 3 and the Acts and provide ethics orientation sessions for legislators in compliance with Article 6 (§ 30-129.1 et seq.) of Chapter 13;

6. Approve orientation courses conducted pursuant to § 2.2-3128 and, upon request, review the educational materials and approve any training or course on the requirements of Article 3 and the Acts conducted for state and local government officers and employees;

7. Publish such educational materials as it deems appropriate on the provisions of Article 3 and the Acts;

8. Review actions taken in the General Assembly with respect to the discipline of its members for the purpose of offering nonbinding advice;

9. Request from any agency of state or local government such assistance, services, and information as will enable the Council to effectively carry out its responsibilities. Information provided to the Council by an agency of state or local government shall not be released to any other party unless authorized by such agency; and

10. Report on or before December 1 of each year on its activities and findings regarding Article 3 and the Acts, including recommendations for changes in the laws, to the General Assembly and the Governor. The annual report shall be submitted by the chairman as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents and reports and shall be published as a state document.

2014, cc. 792, 804.