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WV HB5602

Bill

Status

Introduced

2/16/2026

Primary Sponsor

Joe Funkhouser

Click for details

Origin

House of Delegates

2026 Regular Session

AI Summary

  • Creates the "Municipal-to-County Annexation Act" allowing owners of undeveloped land within city, town, or village boundaries to petition for their property to be transferred to unincorporated county jurisdiction

  • Defines "undeveloped land" as property containing less than two percent impervious surfaces, requiring written consent from all property owners and approval by county commission resolution

  • Requires applications to include property maps, consent affidavits, development authority eligibility statements, and applicable fees, with municipalities given 30 days to file objections after receiving notice

  • Grants county development authorities a five-year right of first refusal to purchase annexed property at fair market value, with property owners required to provide 60 days' notice before accepting other purchase offers

  • Takes effect 90 days after passage and supplements rather than replaces existing municipal annexation procedures under West Virginia law

Legislative Description

Provide a statutory mechanism allowing property owners of undeveloped or unimproved land located within municipal boundaries to petition for annexation of their property into the county.

Municipalities

Last Action

To House Government Organization

2/16/2026

Committee Referrals

Government Organization2/16/2026

Full Bill Text

No bill text available