HB 2066 West Virginia House of Delegates · 2025 Regular Session

Creating a crime for the destruction of first responder equipment.

HB 2066 makes intentionally destroying first responder equipment (such as police vehicles, fire trucks, or emergency medical devices) a criminal offense. It directly affects individuals who damage this equipment, imposing specific penalties including fines and potential jail time. The bill establishes clear legal consequences for willfully damaging gear critical to emergency services, rather than addressing accidental damage. This law became effective on July 30, 2025, as Chapter 76 of the 2025 Regular Session Acts.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2025
House of Delegates Passage
Apr 2025
Senate Passage
Apr 2025
Signed into Law
Jul 2025
Introduced Feb 12, 2025 Signed Jul 30, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 5 comparisons

What changed between versions

hb2066 s jud am _1 4-9 adopted.htm hb2066 hfa drennan and akers 2-23 _1 adopted adopted.htm · 2 edits
MINOR
The bill was amended to expand the definition of emergency responders and emergency response duties to include additional entities and activities, broadening who and what is protected under the property damage statute.
Scope change
The bill now applies to a wider range of emergency service providers and activities beyond the original definitions.
DEFINITION

Expanded the definition of 'emergency responder' to include entities of political subdivisions providing emergency services under §15-5-8 and county 911 public safety answering points.

Expanded the definition of 'emergency response duties' to include disaster response activities and emergency services as defined in §15-5-2, plus activities by county 911 public safety answering points.

Floor votes · Senate Apr 11, 2025 · House of Delegates Feb 25, 2025

How they voted

321
Passed
Total votes 33
Apr 11, 2025
D Democratic2
2 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican31
30 Yea 1 Nay
96% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
42
Key actions
10
Committee
8
Amendments
1
Apr 29, 2025
Signed into law
Approved by Governor 4/29/2025
lower
Apr 12, 2025
Signed into law
Approved by Governor 4/29/2025 - House Journal
lower
Apr 12, 2025
Signed into law
Approved by Governor 4/29/2025 - Senate Journal
upper
Apr 12, 2025
Lower · Passed
House concurred in Senate amendment and passed bill (Roll No. 572)
lower
Apr 11, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed Senate (Roll No. 467)
upper
Apr 10, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee amendment adopted (Voice vote)
upper
Apr 9, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported do pass, with amendment
upper
Feb 26, 2025
Committee
To Judiciary
upper
Feb 26, 2025
Introduced
Introduced in Senate
upper
Feb 25, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed House (Roll No. 10)
lower
Feb 24, 2025
Lower · Passed
Amendment adopted (Voice vote)
lower
Feb 24, 2025
Introduced
Amendment reported by the Clerk
lower
Feb 20, 2025
Lower · Passed
By substitute, do pass
lower
Feb 18, 2025
Committee
To House Judiciary
lower
Feb 13, 2025
Committee
To House Courts
lower
Feb 12, 2025
Committee
To House Judiciary
lower
Feb 12, 2025
Introduced
Introduced in House
lower
Feb 12, 2025
Committee
To Judiciary
lower
1 primary · 9 co-sponsors

Sponsors