HB 4725 West Virginia House of Delegates · 2026 Regular Session

Clarifying the disposition of animal subject to animal cruelty treatment.

HB 4725 clarifies West Virginia's animal cruelty law by specifying that courts may return an animal to its owner after a dismissed case, provided conditions protect the animal, or order euthanasia if a vet recommends it. It also establishes clear duration for possession bans: 5 years to life for misdemeanor convictions and 15 years to life for felony convictions. These provisions directly affect courts handling cruelty cases, convicted individuals, and animal shelters managing seized animals. The bill ensures consistent guidelines for animal disposition and ownership restrictions without altering existing penalties for cruelty offenses.

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Feb 2026

House of Delegates Passage

Feb 2026

Senate Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 22, 2026 Last action Feb 13, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

hb4725 hfa akers and young 2-12 _1 revised adopted.htm → hb4725 hfat akers 2-12 adopted.htm · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was amended to streamline the title and remove the full text of a proposed amendment that would have replaced the entire bill with new animal cruelty provisions. The original amendment text included detailed penalties for animal cruelty, including specific fines, jail time, and new felony charges for sexual acts with animals. The revised version now focuses on amending the existing statute title rather than replacing the entire legislative text.

Scope change

The scope of the bill's substantive content was reduced as the full amendment text proposing new animal cruelty provisions was removed from the legislative record.

SCOPE

Removed proposed amendment text that would have replaced the entire bill with new animal cruelty provisions including detailed penalties, definitions, and enforcement mechanisms.

TECHNICAL

Added a new title amendment that clarifies the bill's purpose is to amend existing §61-8-19 rather than replace it entirely.

Changed bill reference from 'HFA Akers and Young' to 'HFAT Akers' indicating a procedural amendment in the legislative process.

Floor votes · House of Delegates Feb 12, 2026

How they voted

93–1

Passed · 5 other

Total votes 99

Feb 12, 2026

D Democratic9

9 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican90

84 Yea 1 Nay 5

93% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Feb 13, 2026

Committee

To Judiciary

upper

Feb 13, 2026

Introduced

Introduced in Senate

upper

Feb 12, 2026

Lower · Passed

Title amendment adopted (Voice vote)

lower

Feb 12, 2026

Lower · Passed

Passed House (Roll No. 82)

lower

Feb 12, 2026

Lower · Passed

Amendment adopted (Voice vote)

lower

Feb 12, 2026

Introduced

Amendment reported by the Clerk

lower

Feb 11, 2026

Introduced

Amendments pending

lower

Feb 11, 2026

Introduced

Advanced to 3rd with Amendments pending

lower

Feb 11, 2026

Introduced

Amendment reported by the Clerk

lower

Feb 9, 2026

Lower · Passed

Do pass

lower

Feb 4, 2026

Committee

To House Judiciary

lower

Feb 3, 2026

Committee

To House Courts

lower

Jan 22, 2026

Committee

To House Judiciary

lower

Jan 22, 2026

Introduced

Introduced in House

lower

Jan 22, 2026

Committee

To Judiciary

lower

1 primary · 4 co-sponsors