Loading chat...

WV HB5025

Bill

Status

Introduced

2/2/2026

Primary Sponsor

Rick Hillenbrand

Click for details

Origin

House of Delegates

2026 Regular Session

AI Summary

  • Exempts owners of obsolete farm structures on agricultural land from second-degree arson penalties when intentionally burning their own buildings
  • Requires owners to submit a notarized letter of intent to the county assessor and local fire department at least seven days before the planned burn date
  • The letter must identify the structure by tax map parcel number and declare that the building is uninsured
  • All Department of Environmental Protection permitting requirements must still be followed for any permitted burns
  • Amends West Virginia Code §61-3-2, which currently carries a 1-10 year prison sentence for second-degree arson

Legislative Description

Allowing the burning of obsolete farm structures.

Natural Resources

Last Action

Markup Discussion

2/11/2026

Committee Referrals

Judiciary2/10/2026
Homeland Security2/9/2026
Judiciary2/2/2026

Full Bill Text

No bill text available