SB 57 West Virginia Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Exempting ad valorem property tax on property used for divine worship, educational, and charitable purposes

SB 57 amends West Virginia law to explicitly include property used for educational and charitable activities on land primarily for divine worship (like churches) under the existing property tax exemption. This means churches operating schools, daycare centers, or community programs on their property will now qualify for full tax exemption on that land, not just the worship space. The bill clarifies that if a portion of religious property serves educational, literary, scientific, or charitable purposes - such as a church-run school or community center - the entire property remains exempt. It directly affects religious organizations and nonprofits using their land for these combined purposes. The change refines existing law (§11-3-9) without creating new exemptions.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 14, 2026 Last action Jan 14, 2026
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3
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Committee
1
Jan 14, 2026
Introduced
Introduced in Senate
upper
Jan 14, 2026
Committee
To Finance
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

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Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Patricia Rucker
Patricia Rucker
RRepublican
WV
16