{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/30-356.1.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/30-356.1.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/30-356.1.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/30-356.1.html"}],"law_id":86346,"edition_id":1,"section_id":86346,"structure_id":15000,"section_number":"30-356.1","catch_line":"Request for approval for certain travel","history":"2015, cc. 763, 777; 2016, cc. 773, 774.","full_text":"A\n\nThe Council shall receive and review a request for the approval of travel submitted by a person required to file the disclosure form prescribed in \u00a7 2.2-3117 or 30-111 to accept any travel-related transportation, lodging, hospitality, food or beverage, or other thing of value that has a value exceeding $100 where such approval is required pursuant to subsection G of \u00a7 2.2-3103.1 or subsection F of \u00a7 30-103.1. A request for the approval of travel shall not be required for the following, but such travel shall be disclosed as may be required by the Acts:1\n\nTravel disclosed pursuant to the Campaign Finance Disclosure Act (§ 24.2-945 et seq.);2\n\nTravel paid for or provided by the government of the United States, any of its territories, or any state or any political subdivision of such state;3\n\nTravel provided to facilitate attendance by a legislator at a regular or special session of the General Assembly, a meeting of a legislative committee or commission, or a national conference where attendance is approved by the House Committee on Rules or its Chairman or the Senate Committee on Rules or its Chairman; or4\n\nTravel related to an official meeting of the Commonwealth, its political subdivisions, or any board, commission, authority, or other entity, or any charitable organization established pursuant to § 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code affiliated with such entity, to which such person has been appointed or elected or is a member by virtue of his office or employment.B\n\nWhen reviewing a request for the approval of travel, the Council shall consider the purpose of the travel as it relates to the official duties of the requester. The Council shall approve any request for travel that bears a reasonable relationship between the purpose of the travel and the official duties of the requester. Such travel shall include any meeting, conference, or other event (i) composed primarily of public officials, (ii) at which public policy related to the duties of the requester will be discussed in a substantial manner, (iii) reasonably expected to educate the requester on issues relevant to his official duties or to enhance the requester’s knowledge and skills relative to his official duties, or (iv) at which the requester has been invited to speak regarding matters reasonably related to the requester’s official duties.C\n\nThe Council shall not approve any travel requests that bear no reasonable relationship between the purpose of the proposed travel and the official duties of the requester. In making such determination, the Council shall consider the duration of travel, the destination of travel, the estimated value of travel, and any previous or recurring travel.D\n\nWithin five business days of receipt of a request for the approval of travel, the Council shall grant or deny the request, unless additional information has been requested. If additional information has been requested, the Council shall grant or deny the request for the approval within five business days of receipt of such information. If the Council has not granted or denied the request for approval of travel or requested additional information within such five-day period, such travel shall be deemed to have been approved by the Council. Nothing in this subsection shall preclude a person from amending or resubmitting a request for the approval of travel. The Council may authorize a designee to review and grant or deny requests for the approval of travel.E\n\nA request for the approval of travel shall be on a form prescribed by the Council and made available on its website. Such form may be submitted by electronic means, facsimile, in-person submission, or mail or commercial mail delivery.F\n\nNo person shall be prosecuted, assessed a civil penalty, or otherwise disciplined for acceptance of a travel-related thing of value if he accepted the travel-related thing of value after receiving approval under this section, regardless of whether such approval is later withdrawn, provided the travel occurred prior to the withdrawal of the approval.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":309247,"text":"The Council shall receive and review a request for the approval of travel submitted by a person required to file the disclosure form prescribed in \u00a7 2.2-3117 or 30-111 to accept any travel-related transportation, lodging, hospitality, food or beverage, or other thing of value that has a value exceeding $100 where such approval is required pursuant to subsection G of \u00a7 2.2-3103.1 or subsection F of \u00a7 30-103.1. A request for the approval of travel shall not be required for the following, but such travel shall be disclosed as may be required by the Acts:","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"A1"},"1":{"id":309248,"text":"Travel disclosed pursuant to the Campaign Finance Disclosure Act (§ 24.2-945 et seq.);","type":"section","prefixes":["A","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"A1","prefix_anchor":"A1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"A2"},"2":{"id":309249,"text":"Travel paid for or provided by the government of the United States, any of its territories, or any state or any political subdivision of such state;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"A2","prefix_anchor":"A2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A1","next_prefix":"A3"},"3":{"id":309250,"text":"Travel provided to facilitate attendance by a legislator at a regular or special session of the General Assembly, a meeting of a legislative committee or commission, or a national conference where attendance is approved by the House Committee on Rules or its Chairman or the Senate Committee on Rules or its Chairman; or","type":"section","prefixes":["A","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"A3","prefix_anchor":"A3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A2","next_prefix":"A4"},"4":{"id":309251,"text":"Travel related to an official meeting of the Commonwealth, its political subdivisions, or any board, commission, authority, or other entity, or any charitable organization established pursuant to § 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code affiliated with such entity, to which such person has been appointed or elected or is a member by virtue of his office or employment.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"A4","prefix_anchor":"A4","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A3","next_prefix":"B"},"5":{"id":309252,"text":"When reviewing a request for the approval of travel, the Council shall consider the purpose of the travel as it relates to the official duties of the requester. The Council shall approve any request for travel that bears a reasonable relationship between the purpose of the travel and the official duties of the requester. Such travel shall include any meeting, conference, or other event (i) composed primarily of public officials, (ii) at which public policy related to the duties of the requester will be discussed in a substantial manner, (iii) reasonably expected to educate the requester on issues relevant to his official duties or to enhance the requester’s knowledge and skills relative to his official duties, or (iv) at which the requester has been invited to speak regarding matters reasonably related to the requester’s official duties.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A4","next_prefix":"C"},"6":{"id":309253,"text":"The Council shall not approve any travel requests that bear no reasonable relationship between the purpose of the proposed travel and the official duties of the requester. In making such determination, the Council shall consider the duration of travel, the destination of travel, the estimated value of travel, and any previous or recurring travel.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"7":{"id":309254,"text":"Within five business days of receipt of a request for the approval of travel, the Council shall grant or deny the request, unless additional information has been requested. If additional information has been requested, the Council shall grant or deny the request for the approval within five business days of receipt of such information. If the Council has not granted or denied the request for approval of travel or requested additional information within such five-day period, such travel shall be deemed to have been approved by the Council. Nothing in this subsection shall preclude a person from amending or resubmitting a request for the approval of travel. The Council may authorize a designee to review and grant or deny requests for the approval of travel.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"E"},"8":{"id":309255,"text":"A request for the approval of travel shall be on a form prescribed by the Council and made available on its website. Such form may be submitted by electronic means, facsimile, in-person submission, or mail or commercial mail delivery.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D","next_prefix":"F"},"9":{"id":309256,"text":"No person shall be prosecuted, assessed a civil penalty, or otherwise disciplined for acceptance of a travel-related thing of value if he accepted the travel-related thing of value after receiving approval under this section, regardless of whether such approval is later withdrawn, provided the travel occurred prior to the withdrawal of the approval.","type":"section","prefixes":["F"],"prefix":"F","entire_prefix":"F","prefix_anchor":"F","level":1,"prior_prefix":"E"}},"ancestry":[{"id":15000,"edition_id":1,"name":"Virginia Conflict of Interest and Ethics Advisory Council","identifier":"56","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12738,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:51:25","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:51:25","permalink":{"id":200601,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":15000,"identifier":"56","token":"30\/56","url":"\/30\/56\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12738,"edition_id":1,"name":"General Assembly","identifier":"30","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","permalink":{"id":199019,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12738,"identifier":"30","token":"30","url":"\/30\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":82694,"structure_id":15000,"section_number":"30-355","catch_line":"Virginia Conflict of Interest and Ethics Advisory Council; membership; terms; quorum; expenses","url":"\/30-355\/","token":"30\/56\/30-355","metadata":false},{"id":61753,"structure_id":15000,"section_number":"30-356","catch_line":"Powers and duties of the Council","url":"\/30-356\/","token":"30\/56\/30-356","metadata":false},{"id":86346,"structure_id":15000,"section_number":"30-356.1","catch_line":"Request for approval for certain travel","url":"\/30-356.1\/","token":"30\/56\/30-356.1","metadata":false},{"id":57215,"structure_id":15000,"section_number":"30-356.2","catch_line":"Right to grant extensions in special circumstances; civil penalty","url":"\/30-356.2\/","token":"30\/56\/30-356.2","metadata":false},{"id":62111,"structure_id":15000,"section_number":"30-357","catch_line":"Staff","url":"\/30-357\/","token":"30\/56\/30-357","metadata":false},{"id":72146,"structure_id":15000,"section_number":"30-358","catch_line":"Cooperation of agencies of state and local government","url":"\/30-358\/","token":"30\/56\/30-358","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":61753,"structure_id":15000,"section_number":"30-356","catch_line":"Powers and duties of the Council","url":"\/30-356\/","token":"30\/56\/30-356","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":57215,"structure_id":15000,"section_number":"30-356.2","catch_line":"Right to grant extensions in special circumstances; civil penalty","url":"\/30-356.2\/","token":"30\/56\/30-356.2","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/30-356.1\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 2015. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapters 763<\/a> and 777<\/a> of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. It has been modified 1 time. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. That modification is as follows: in 2016, chapters 773<\/a> and 774<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":72564,"section_number":"2.2-3103.1","catch_line":"Certain gifts prohibited","order_by":null,"url":"\/2.2-3103.1\/"},{"id":60763,"section_number":"30-103.1","catch_line":"Certain gifts prohibited","order_by":null,"url":"\/30-103.1\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":72564,"section_number":"2.2-3103.1","catch_line":"Certain gifts prohibited","order_by":null,"url":"\/2.2-3103.1\/"},{"id":59503,"section_number":"2.2-3117","catch_line":"Disclosure form","order_by":null,"url":"\/2.2-3117\/"},{"id":82970,"section_number":"24.2-945","catch_line":"Elections to which chapter applicable; chapter exclusive","order_by":null,"url":"\/24.2-945\/"},{"id":60763,"section_number":"30-103.1","catch_line":"Certain gifts prohibited","order_by":null,"url":"\/30-103.1\/"},{"id":76882,"section_number":"30-111","catch_line":"Disclosure form","order_by":null,"url":"\/30-111\/"}],"permalink":{"id":200611,"object_type":"law","relational_id":86346,"identifier":"30-356.1","token":"30\/56\/30-356.1","url":"\/30-356.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/30-356.1\/","token":"30\/56\/30-356.1","dublin_core":{"Title":"Request for approval for certain travel","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 30-356.1","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> The Council shall receive and review a request for the approval of travel submitted by a person required to file the disclosure form prescribed in \u00a7 2.2-3117<\/a> or 30-111<\/a> to accept any travel-related transportation, lodging, hospitality, food or beverage, or other thing of value that has a value exceeding $100 where such approval is required pursuant to subsection G of \u00a7 2.2-3103.1<\/a> or subsection F of \u00a7 30-103.1<\/a>. A request for the approval of travel shall not be required for the following, but such travel shall be disclosed as may be required by the Acts: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> Travel disclosed pursuant to the Campaign Finance Disclosure Act (§ 24.2-945<\/a> et seq.); <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> Travel paid for or provided by the government of the United States, any of its territories, or any state or any political subdivision of such state; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> Travel provided to facilitate attendance by a legislator at a regular or special session of the General Assembly, a meeting of a legislative committee or commission, or a national conference where attendance is approved by the House Committee on Rules or its Chairman or the Senate Committee on Rules or its Chairman; or <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> Travel related to an official meeting of the Commonwealth, its political subdivisions, or any board, commission, authority, or other entity, or any charitable organization established pursuant to § 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code affiliated with such entity, to which such person has been appointed or elected or is a member by virtue of his office or employment. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> When reviewing a request for the approval of travel, the Council shall consider the purpose of the travel as it relates to the official duties of the requester. The Council shall approve any request for travel that bears a reasonable relationship between the purpose of the travel and the official duties of the requester. Such travel shall include any meeting, conference, or other event (i) composed primarily of public officials, (ii) at which public policy related to the duties of the requester will be discussed in a substantial manner, (iii) reasonably expected to educate the requester on issues<\/span> relevant to his official duties or to enhance the requester’s knowledge and skills relative to his official duties, or (iv) at which the requester has been invited to speak regarding matters reasonably related to the requester’s official duties. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> The Council shall not approve any travel requests that bear no reasonable relationship between the purpose of the proposed travel and the official duties of the requester. In making such determination, the Council shall consider the duration of travel, the destination of travel, the estimated value of travel, and any previous or recurring travel. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> Within five business days of receipt of a request for the approval of travel, the Council shall grant or deny the request, unless additional information has been requested. If additional information has been requested, the Council shall grant or deny the request for the approval within five business days of receipt of such information. If the Council has not granted or denied the request for approval of travel or requested additional information within such five-day period, such travel shall be deemed to have been approved by the Council. Nothing in this subsection shall preclude a person from amending or resubmitting a request for the approval of travel. The Council may authorize a designee to review and grant or deny requests for the approval of travel. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> A request for the approval of travel shall be on a form prescribed by the Council and made available on its website. Such form may be submitted by electronic means, facsimile, in-person submission, or mail or commercial mail delivery. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

F.<\/span> No person shall be prosecuted, assessed a civil penalty<\/span>, or otherwise disciplined for acceptance of a travel-related thing of value if he accepted the travel-related thing of value after receiving approval under this section, regardless of whether such approval is later withdrawn, provided the travel occurred prior to the withdrawal of the approval. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nREQUEST FOR APPROVAL FOR CERTAIN TRAVEL (\u00a7 30-356.1)\n\nA. The Council shall receive and review a request for the approval of travel\nsubmitted by a person required to file the disclosure form prescribed in \u00a7\n2.2-3117 or 30-111 to accept any travel-related transportation, lodging,\nhospitality, food or beverage, or other thing of value that has a value\nexceeding $100 where such approval is required pursuant to subsection G of \u00a7\n2.2-3103.1 or subsection F of \u00a7 30-103.1. A request for the approval of travel\nshall not be required for the following, but such travel shall be disclosed as\nmay be required by the Acts:\n\n 1. Travel disclosed pursuant to the Campaign Finance Disclosure Act (§\n 24.2-945 et seq.);\n\n 2. Travel paid for or provided by the government of the United States, any of\n its territories, or any state or any political subdivision of such state;\n\n 3. Travel provided to facilitate attendance by a legislator at a regular or\n special session of the General Assembly, a meeting of a legislative committee\n or commission, or a national conference where attendance is approved by the\n House Committee on Rules or its Chairman or the Senate Committee on Rules or\n its Chairman; or\n\n 4. Travel related to an official meeting of the Commonwealth, its political\n subdivisions, or any board, commission, authority, or other entity, or any\n charitable organization established pursuant to § 501(c)(3) of the\n Internal Revenue Code affiliated with such entity, to which such person has\n been appointed or elected or is a member by virtue of his office or\n employment.\n\nB. When reviewing a request for the approval of travel, the Council shall\nconsider the purpose of the travel as it relates to the official duties of the\nrequester. The Council shall approve any request for travel that bears a\nreasonable relationship between the purpose of the travel and the official\nduties of the requester. Such travel shall include any meeting, conference, or\nother event (i) composed primarily of public officials, (ii) at which public\npolicy related to the duties of the requester will be discussed in a substantial\nmanner, (iii) reasonably expected to educate the requester on issues relevant to\nhis official duties or to enhance the requester’s knowledge and skills\nrelative to his official duties, or (iv) at which the requester has been invited\nto speak regarding matters reasonably related to the requester’s official\nduties.\n\nC. The Council shall not approve any travel requests that bear no reasonable\nrelationship between the purpose of the proposed travel and the official duties\nof the requester. In making such determination, the Council shall consider the\nduration of travel, the destination of travel, the estimated value of travel,\nand any previous or recurring travel.\n\nD. Within five business days of receipt of a request for the approval of travel,\nthe Council shall grant or deny the request, unless additional information has\nbeen requested. If additional information has been requested, the Council shall\ngrant or deny the request for the approval within five business days of receipt\nof such information. If the Council has not granted or denied the request for\napproval of travel or requested additional information within such five-day\nperiod, such travel shall be deemed to have been approved by the Council.\nNothing in this subsection shall preclude a person from amending or resubmitting\na request for the approval of travel. The Council may authorize a designee to\nreview and grant or deny requests for the approval of travel.\n\nE. A request for the approval of travel shall be on a form prescribed by the\nCouncil and made available on its website. Such form may be submitted by\nelectronic means, facsimile, in-person submission, or mail or commercial mail\ndelivery.\n\nF. No person shall be prosecuted, assessed a civil penalty, or otherwise\ndisciplined for acceptance of a travel-related thing of value if he accepted the\ntravel-related thing of value after receiving approval under this section,\nregardless of whether such approval is later withdrawn, provided the travel\noccurred prior to the withdrawal of the approval.\n\nHISTORY: 2015, cc. 763, 777; 2016, cc. 773, 774.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}