Virginia's campaign finance laws; Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission to study.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Lamont Bagby and 13 co-sponsors

JLARC will study Virginia’s campaign finance laws and enforcement, exploring modernization and the potential creation of an independent agency outside the Governor’s office.

Left in Rules

Overview

Bill: House Joint Resolution No. 444 (HJ444)

Title: Virginia's campaign finance laws; Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission to study

Status: Left in Rules

Introduced: January 6, 2025 (prefiled); Offered January 13, 2025

Prime patrons: House - Jones, Clark, Cole, Convirs-Fowler, Cousins, Feggans, Henson, Keys-Gamarra, Martinez, Shin, Simon, Watts; Senators - Bagby, Salim

Purpose: Directs the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) to study Virginia’s campaign finance laws and related enforcement mechanisms, exploring modernization options including potential creation of an independent agency outside the Governor’s office.

Purpose and Intent

To address perceived gaps in enforcing campaign finance and election laws, transparency, and accessibility of compliance processes.

To assess whether current staffing, legal resources, and reporting mechanisms are adequate, and to recommend improvements or organizational changes.

To consider the feasibility and design of a more independent, centralized authority to oversee campaign finance reporting, investigations, penalties, and related voter fraud issues.

Key Provisions and Areas of Study

Identify shortcomings in:

(a) Reporting and investigating violations
(b) Enforcing legal and regulatory requirements
(c) Implementing directions from state government at the local level

Determine budgetary allocations necessary to effectively operate the campaign finance system.

Analyze modernization options, including creation of a new independent agency with authority outside the Governor’s office to:

Receive and review campaign finance reports
Investigate and penalize campaign finance violations
Conduct voter fraud investigations
Enact new laws to enforce election and campaign finance laws

Report contents to include:

Clear recommendations on establishing an independent agency and its scope
Best practices for candidate training, advisory opinions, and instructional materials
Improvements to the citizen complaint process for election fraud and campaign finance violations
Administrative staffing needs, including in-house legal counsel, and budget requirements
Recommended penalties and fines for violations
Options for holding local electoral boards accountable for noncompliance or inadequate penalties

Technical assistance: to be provided by the State Board of Elections and the Department of Elections; all Commonwealth agencies to assist upon request.

Timeline and Process

JLARC to complete meetings by November 30, 2025.

JLARC chair to submit an executive summary of findings and recommendations to the Division of Legislative Automated Systems, no later than the first day of the 2026 Regular Session.

Executive summary and final report may be published as a House or Senate document; posted on the General Assembly’s website.

Potential Impact (Context)

If pursued further, findings could lead to enabling legislation to create an independent agency for campaign finance and election law enforcement.

Could influence staffing levels, training, penalties, and oversight of local electoral boards.

Aims to enhance transparency, accountability, and efficiency in Virginia’s campaign finance regime.

Bill