Relating to the Holy Bible
HJR 20 proposes adding a new constitutional section recognizing the Holy Bible (66 books of Old and New Testaments) as "the divinely inspired, inerrant foundational document for our society and government" and requiring its "precepts" to be given "prominence and reverence" in West Virginia's public buildings, laws, policies, and schools. If approved by voters in 2026, this amendment would formally enshrine the Bible's role in state governance and public life. The bill is currently in the House Judiciary Committee, awaiting further legislative action before a voter referendum. It does not mandate Bible instruction in schools but seeks to establish the Bible as a foundational reference for state policy.
Bill status
in committee
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 20, 2026
Last action Jan 20, 2026
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
4
Key actions
0
Committee
2
Jan 20, 2026
Committee
To House Judiciary
lower
Jan 20, 2026
Introduced
Introduced in House
lower
Jan 20, 2026
Committee
To Judiciary
lower
1 primary · 10 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Corby Dillon
RRepublican
Co
Bill Ridenour
RRepublican
Co
Chuck Horst
RRepublican
Co
EC
Elías Coop-González
RRepublican
Co
George Miller
RRepublican
Co
Jim Butler
RRepublican
Co
John Jordan
RRepublican
Co
Margitta Mazzocchi
RRepublican
Co
Marty Gearheart
RRepublican
Co
Phil Mallow
RRepublican
Co
Tresa Howell
RRepublican
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