Loading chat...
WV HB4149
Bill
Status
Introduced
1/14/2026
Primary Sponsor
Chuck Horst
Click for details
AI Summary
- Natural resources police officers may enter unposted private lands without a warrant while performing official duties, but posted land requires owner/lessee consent or specific exigent circumstances
- Officers may enter posted land without consent only to dispatch crippled wildlife they personally observed, prevent imminent unlawful killing of wildlife, respond to life-threatening emergencies, or when requested by the property owner
- Surveillance cameras cannot be placed on posted private land without owner consent or a search warrant, though cameras may be placed in areas where officers have lawful access if facing publicly viewable locations
- The bill amends the Director of Natural Resources' authority to enter private lands by making it subject to the new limitations in §20-7-4
- "Posted land" is defined by reference to existing West Virginia Code §61-3B-1, and homes and their curtilages are explicitly excluded from warrantless entry
Legislative Description
Relating to warrantless entry of private lands
Natural Resources
Last Action
To House Judiciary
1/14/2026
Committee Referrals
Judiciary1/14/2026
Full Bill Text
No bill text available