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Committee amends and advances HB 505 to impose 2-year cooling-off period for former local employees
Summary
Lawmakers amended HB 505, which would bar local officials from participating in matters related to prior local employment, reducing the proposed cooling-off period from five years to two and reporting the bill 7–0 after testimony from municipal groups and residents.
Delegate McAuliffe introduced HB 505 to bar members of local governing bodies from participating in transactions related to their former local employment for a post-employment period. The sponsor said the intent was to prevent conflicts when a newly elected official has recent ties to a locality employer and to preserve public trust.
Committee members asked why the sponsor proposed five years; several members expressed concern and proposed a friendly amendment shortening the cooling-off period to two years to align with common terms and reduce implementation friction. The committee accepted the friendly amendment (motion and voice vote recorded SEG 963—nd).
Municipal League representatives and multiple residents who testified described local examples where post-employment participation created governance problems and supported the 2-year amendment. The subcommittee reported HB 505, as amended with the substitute, unanimously on a 7–0 vote.
What's next: HB 505 was reported as substituted and will proceed for further consideration. The 2-year cooling-off period is now part of the committee's recommendation.
