In the year-to-year evolution of our laws, it sometimes takes a crisis to focus the public’s attention and to build enough support for change.

Thus, the Virginia General Assembly is now poised to tighten up tremendously on its ethics rules. The embarrassment of just-departed Gov. McDonnell and his wife over Giftgate, which is still under study by the feds, has prompted something rare in today’s political climate: A bipartisan agreement on reforms to Virginia’s ethics, transparency and disclosure laws.

The executive branch has already moved on the issue, with caps of $100 for officials and their families ordered by Gov. Terry McAuliffe and Attorney General Mark Herring.

According to a press release, more than a dozen reforms are proposed to the General Assembly, including a $250 gift cap from lobbyists and individuals doing business with the state. Family members would fall under the law. A state commission would review disclosures an...