A grassroots lobbying campaign is a program addressed to the public in which a substantial portion thereof is intended primarily to influence legislation before the West Virginia Legislature.
Grassroots lobbying efforts are directed to the public rather than to legislators or other governmental policymakers. Only campaigns designed to influence legislation by the West Virginia Legislature are reported as part of a grass roots lobbying effort.
Often the campaign will rely heavily, if not exclusively, on newspaper, radio, TV, or billboard advertising. The creation and distribution of handbills, or the purchase of a single newspaper ad could, depending upon the cost, constitute a grass roots lobbying campaign.
Any person or organization which spends more than $1,000 in one month or more than $5,000 in a three-month period presenting a grass roots lobbying program must register. A separate registration is necessary for each new campaign. All sponsors must register with the Ethics Commission.
Grassroots lobbyist registration and legislative lobbyist registration require separate reporting and registration forms.
See W. Va. Code § 6B-3-5 for grassroots lobbying campaigns.
Grassroots registration and information:
- Registration of a grassroots campaign must be made within 30 days of making any expenditures.
- Complete and return the GrassRoots Sponsor Registration and Reporting GR1 form.
- There are no fees associated with grass roots lobbying.
- The sponsors of all Grass Roots Campaigns, who are currently registered with the Ethics Commission, must file periodic lobbying reports on the GrassRoots Periodic Reporting GR2 form.
Due dates for Reports
| May 15 | for activity from January 1 through April 30 |
| September 15 | for activity from May 1 through August 31 |
| January 15 | for activity from September 1 through December 31 |
To terminate a grassroots campaign when the campaign has ended, the sponsor shall:
- File a notice of termination with the final monthly report, which shall state the totals of all contributions and expenditures made on behalf of the campaign.
- Complete and return the Grassroots Periodic Reporting GR2 form.
Termination and Report forms may be submitted via email, US mail, or hand-delivered. Faxed copies are not accepted.
GRASS ROOTS ADVISORY OPINIONS
1990-191 Nonprofit Association
Campaign limited to its own membership is not a grassroots lobbying campaign
1991-01 Lobbying Association
A campaign to inform the public and not intended to influence legislation is not a grassroots lobbying campaign, and therefore need not be reported.
2002-12 Registered Lobbyist
Newspaper ads constitute a grassroots lobbying campaign