Virginia has adopted pay-to-play restrictions that prohibit potential state government contractors from giving the governor or certain secretaries gifts or political contributions worth more than $50 when a bid award is pending.

The new law, which takes effect July 1, 2010, applies to contracts and agreements with a stated or expected value of at least $5 million that are entered under the Virginia Public Procurement Act, Public-Private

Transportation Act, or the Public-Private Education Facilities and Infrastructure Act. Contracts awarded by competitive, sealed bid are exempt from the law.

The law applies to the governor, his or her political action committee and any Cabinet secretary responsible for the agency with jurisdiction over the pending contract.

To read the new law, click here.

To view the Skadden, Arps memo on the law, click here (members only).