WV HB5416

Exempts incorporated churches and religious organizations from trustee-based property transaction requirements under West Virginia Code §35-1-9 and §35-1-10, allowing them to follow corporate governance procedures instead.

Requires unincorporated churches to publish notice as a Class II legal advertisement or announce at two principal services over two weeks before selling, conveying, or placing liens on real estate.

Creates new §35-1-10a validating all property conveyances, mortgages, and liens executed by church trustees prior to incorporation, ensuring these transactions remain enforceable without reauthorization or rerecording.

Transfers all rights, obligations, and liabilities from pre-incorporation property transactions to the newly incorporated entity by operation of law upon incorporation.

Protects lenders, purchasers, trustees, and third parties who relied in good faith on the validity of property transactions executed before a church's incorporation.