Pay-to-Play Spotlight: New Virginia Pay-to-Play Contribution and Gift Limits

Although Virginia is considered fairly "liberal" when it comes to campaign finance and gift rules in that it lacks general contribution limits, permits corporate contributions and permits gifts from lobbyists, the state recently enacted legislation that chips away at this image. As of July 1, 2010, Virginia implemented a new pay-to-play gift and contribution limit.  The new law prohibits prospective contractors (and their directors and officers) from making any gift or contribution over $50 to the Governor, his PAC or any cabinet secretary with jurisdiction over the contract while the contractor is seeking certain no-bid state contracts.  The gift restriction applies during the procurement process.