WV Senate passes bill to keep employer info for political donors off public campaign finance reports

February 17, 2026 - 01:25

The West Virginia State Senate has passed legislation that would remove employer information for political donors from publicly accessible campaign finance reports. The bill, which now advances to the House of Delegates, aims to alter the transparency requirements for candidates and political action committees.

Currently, state law mandates that contributors who give more than $250 must have their employer listed on public reports. The proposed measure would eliminate that public disclosure, though candidates and committees would still be required to collect the information privately for potential state audits. Proponents of the bill argue it is a necessary step to protect donors from potential harassment or unwanted targeting based on their employment, framing it as a privacy issue.

Opponents, however, contend that the change significantly reduces transparency in the political process. They assert that knowing a donor's employer is crucial for the public to identify potential special interests or industries that may be seeking to influence elections and policy. This information has traditionally been used by journalists, watchdog groups, and citizens to trace the connections between campaign funding and legislative actions.

The debate centers on balancing individual privacy against the public's right to know who is financing political campaigns. If enacted, West Virginia would join a small number of states that do not require this information to be publicly reported.