                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

REQUEST FOR APPROVAL FOR CERTAIN TRAVEL (§ 30-356.1)

A. 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 §
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 §
2.2-3103.1 or subsection F of § 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. Travel disclosed pursuant to the Campaign Finance Disclosure Act (&#xA7;
   24.2-945 et seq.);

   2. 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;

   3. 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

   4. 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 &#xA7; 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. 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&#8217;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&#8217;s official
duties.

C. 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.

D. 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.

E. 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.

F. 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.

HISTORY: 2015, cc. 763, 777; 2016, cc. 773, 774.