Trinkets Law Story Archives - West Virginia Public Broadcasting

Ethics Panel Issues Additional Guidance on Trinkets Law

The state Ethics Commission is giving additional guidance to public officials on the use of pictures in social media.

The commission said Thursday that officials may post pictures of themselves attending public events on sites such as Facebook and Twitter as long as the primary purpose is not self-promotion.

The Charleston Gazette-Mail reports that Kanawha County Commission President Kent Carper sought the opinion after the Ethics Commission last month directed officials to sharply restrict the number of photographs of themselves on official websites to avoid violating the new “trinkets” law. The law bans publicly-funded trinkets – from mugs to matchbooks – with officials’ names or faces on them.

Carper said clarification was needed before the next election cycle because some people have made filing ethics complaints “a blood sport.”

Ethics Commission: Limit Web Headshots, Avoid Trinkets

To comply with a new law, the Ethics Commission is advising public officials to limit use of their photos on websites and elsewhere.

Thursday’s advisory opinion addresses a new state law banning trinkets, from mugs to matchbooks, with officials’ names or faces on them.

The opinion says an official’s agency website can include a self-photo only on the homepage and in a biographical section.

If an official helps decide what’s in educational materials using private money, only one self-photo is allowed.

The commission advised officials to stop using self-identifying printed banners and table skirts, even ones bought before the new law. Their office’s name is permitted.

The same applies to trinkets.

The opinion says officials can be in YouTube videos and similar communications, but their names shouldn’t be overemphasized.

W.Va. Ban on Election Trinkets Now Effective

A West Virginia ban on publicly funded trinkets bearing an elected official’s name or likeness is becoming effective.

The law prohibiting elected officials from using taxpayer money for certain products and services took effect Thursday.

It says public funding can’t be used to put an elected official’s name or likeness on a public vehicle, trinket or advertisement, such as a billboard.

The law prohibits using public money or employees for entertainment activities within 45 days of an election in which the elected official is a candidate.

The bill says magnets, mugs, cups, key chains, pill holders, band-aid dispensers, fans, nail files, matches and bags are examples of trinkets.

The Republican-led Legislature passed the ban. Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin signed it.

The state Ethics Commission is crafting rules regarding the law.

W.Va. Ethics Commission to Work on Trinkets Law

The state Ethics Commission has agreed to craft rules to a new law that prevents state employees and elected officials from using public funds to place their name or likeness on certain items.

Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin signed the “trinkets” bill last month.

It becomes law on May 28 and would prohibit self-promotion on items such as publicly owned vehicles in advertising or on small items such as magnets and cups.

The commission agreed Thursday to come up with the rules, although media outlets report Commissioner Jack Buckalew questioned why the Legislature didn’t do that.

Commissioner Betty Ireland says the rules would help clarify ambiguities that currently exist in the bill. It defines trinkets as “items of tangible personal property that are not vital or necessary” to office duties.