SB 746 would establish two new wildlife viewing stamps: a resident stamp for West Virginia residents and a nonresident stamp for out-of-state visitors. These stamps, purchased in addition to a standard hunting or fishing license, allow holders to view wildlife on state-owned lands and roads (including fire roads and gated roads) in a regular vehicle, excluding UTVs and ATVs. The fee for each stamp would be set by the Department of Natural Resources and require legislative approval, with revenue funding wildlife programs. The program would not apply to Coopers Rock or Kanawha State Forests.
HB 5439 would create a statewide pollinator protection program under West Virginia's Department of Agriculture to support bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. The program requires the department to develop a plan with input from beekeepers, farmers, and conservation groups, focusing on planting pollinator-friendly habitats on private property and in state parks and forests. Key provisions include mitigating damage from invasive plant species, encouraging low-maintenance habitat creation, identifying educational opportunities, and leveraging existing state/federal grants for conservation. The goal is to protect pollinator health while supporting West Virginia's agricultural economy and beekeeping industry.
HB 5190 increases West Virginia's annual conservation funding by $300,000, with the additional funds allocated exclusively based on the head count of cattle and/or large livestock. This change directly affects land conservation grant programs, requiring that new funding distribution be tied to livestock numbers rather than other conservation criteria. The bill amends existing law to mandate this livestock-based allocation starting July 1, 2026. It does not alter the existing conservation criteria (like wildlife habitat or watershed protection) but specifies how the new $300,000 will be distributed. The change applies only to the incremental funding, not the existing conservation budget.
This resolution (HR 10) proposes approval of federal legislation (H.R. 5966), the Ohio River Restoration Program Act, which would establish a program to improve the Ohio River. The program would fund specific actions like cleaning polluted water, restoring fish habitats, controlling invasive species, and improving public access to the river. West Virginia directly benefits as 28% of the river’s length borders the state, providing drinking water for 700,000 residents and supporting local economies. The resolution itself does not create funding but formally supports the federal bill’s implementation. This is a procedural resolution endorsing the broader federal restoration effort.
HB 4688 would eliminate West Virginia's current ban on baiting for all game animals across every county in the state. The bill directly affects hunters who currently cannot legally use bait to attract game animals like deer, bear, or turkey. It would amend existing law (§20-2-5) by removing the prohibition against baiting, allowing hunters to use bait without violating state wildlife regulations. This change would apply uniformly statewide to all game species covered under the current ban.
HB 4149 amends West Virginia law to clarify and limit when conservation officials (like the Division of Natural Resources) may enter private land without a warrant. It directly affects private landowners and conservation officers by adding specific restrictions on entry for surveys, inspections, or enforcement related to wildlife and natural resources. Key provisions include establishing clear limits on entry, defining the process for entering posted private lands, and clarifying rules about using surveillance cameras near such properties. The bill does not change existing conservation authorities but adds procedural safeguards for landowners. It focuses on concrete changes to entry procedures, not broader policy shifts.
This bill requires West Virginia's wildlife director to propose new rules for hunting antlered deer. The proposed rules would limit licensed hunters to harvesting two antlered deer per season, with the second deer needing at least three points on one antler. These rules would directly affect all hunters with valid deer hunting licenses in West Virginia.
HB 4559 would eliminate a current prohibition against killing bears using bait during overlapping deer and bear hunting seasons in West Virginia. This change directly affects hunters who use bait for deer during seasons when bear hunting is also permitted. The bill amends §20-2-22a to remove the restriction that currently bans bear kills via bait during these concurrent seasons, while maintaining other existing bear hunting rules like tagging requirements and prohibitions on hunting cubs or small bears. The policy change specifically targets the bait restriction during joint deer-bear seasons, without altering other regulations governing bear hunting.
HB 4355 creates a new $10 "upland game bird" stamp that hunters can purchase alongside their standard license. It directly affects hunters targeting specific species: ruffed grouse, bobwhite quail, ring-necked pheasant, woodcock, and snipe. Proceeds from the stamp will fund the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources to buy and release these birds into designated Wildlife Management Areas. The bill defines the bird species and requires the Division to administer the program.
SB 379 authorizes West Virginia's Division of Natural Resources to implement specific rules governing wildlife rehabilitation facilities. The bill approves a modified rule (previously filed and revised to address committee feedback) that sets standards for facilities caring for injured or orphaned wildlife. This directly affects wildlife rehabilitation centers operating in the state by requiring compliance with these standardized procedures. The rule, referenced as "58 CSR 21," focuses on operational requirements rather than creating new policies. This is a procedural bill to formally adopt an existing regulatory framework.
