Veterans

HB 5227 modifies West Virginia's business reporting fees and adds a new logotype for veteran-owned businesses. It sets an annual report fee at $25 (or $50 biennially) for corporations, limited partnerships, and LLCs required to file reports with the Secretary of State. The bill also grants the Secretary authority to waive late fees for these filings. Additionally, it establishes a new official logotype (a special mark or symbol) that qualified veteran-owned businesses - defined as those at least 51% owned by veterans or their spouses - may use on their materials. This bill directly affects businesses required to file annual/biennial reports and veteran-owned entities seeking the new logotype.

This bill updates West Virginia laws to recognize military protective orders as valid evidence of domestic violence when seeking emergency protective orders from family courts. It defines a military protective order as one issued by a commanding officer in the U.S. Armed Forces, West Virginia National Guard, or another state's National Guard against someone under their command. The legislation requires law enforcement to notify relevant agencies of potential violations of these military orders and allows them to be used in petitions for temporary personal safety orders. These changes aim to improve how courts handle cases involving service members and their families by streamlining the process for obtaining protection orders.

HB 4437 allows Gold Star parents (mothers or fathers of veterans killed in combat) to receive one free vehicle registration plate for personal use. The bill amends West Virginia law to exempt Gold Star parents from all registration fees for a single Gold Star Family license plate, which is already available to surviving spouses under existing rules. This change directly affects eligible parents who qualify under the definition of "Gold star parent" (per 10 U.S.C. § 1126), waiving standard registration costs for one vehicle. The provision builds on the current Gold Star Family plate program without creating new fees or requirements.