West Virginia 2026 Session Status: Enacted 11 R cosponsors

HB 4437 — To allow Gold Star parents to receive one free Gold Star vehicle registration for personal use.

Last action — Chapter 236, Acts, Regular Session, 2026

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed House of Delegates
  4. ✓
    Passed Senate
  5. ✓
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 16, 2026. Enacted.

Odds of enactment

High chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a high chance of becoming law.

Upgrade to see the exact probability and what's driving it.

A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.

Prognosis

Likely to advance 82% · moderate confidence

  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 11 sponsors

    1 primary, 10 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (11 R).

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 5 recorded votes so far.

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

In plain language

The bill allows Gold Star parents to obtain one free vehicle registration for personal use.

This legislation provides Gold Star parents the opportunity to receive a complimentary vehicle registration. It is intended to honor their status and support their personal transportation needs.

What this means for you
  • Families: Gold Star families will benefit from a free vehicle registration to help with transportation costs.

Summary

To allow Gold Star parents to receive one free Gold Star vehicle registration for personal use.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

38 added · 17 removed

Plain-language change summary

The recent amendment to Bill HB 4437 expands the benefits for Gold Star families by defining both Gold Star parents and spouses and exempting them from registration fees for their license plates. Previously, the bill only mentioned providing one free license plate to Gold Star parents, but now it explicitly states that both Gold Star parents and spouses qualify for this fee exemption. This change acknowledges and honors the sacrifices made by families of fallen veterans, ensuring they can commemorate their loved ones without the burden of extra costs.

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WEST VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION ENGROSSED House Bill 4437 By Delegates Sheedy, D.
WEST VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION ENROLLED House Bill 4437 BY DELEGATES SHEEDY , D.
Cannon, McCormick, Adkins, Green, Watt, Vance, Clay, Willis, Jennings, and Cooper [Introduced January 16, 2026;
ANNON, MCCORMICK , ADKINS, REEN , ATT, VANCE, LAY, WILLI, ENNINGS, ANDC OOPER [Passed March 14, 2026;
referred to the Committee on Energy and Public Works] Eng HB 4437 A BILL to amend and reenact §17A-3-14b of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to providing for one free Gold Star Family license plate to Gold Star parents.
in effect 90 days from passage (June 12, 2026)] Enr HB 4437 AN ACT to amend and reenact §17A-3-14b of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to Gold Star Family license plates;
exempting a gold star parent from registration fees for one Gold Star Family license plate;
defining “gold star parent”;
and clarifying definition of “gold star spouse”.
(e) A Gold star spouse shall be exempt from all registration fees otherwise required by the provisions of this chapter for the registration of one Gold Star Family license plate for personal use.
(e) A gold star spouse shall be exempt from all registration fees otherwise required by the provisions of this chapter for the registration of one Gold Star Family license plate for personal Enr HB 4437 use.
For purposes of this section, a "Gold star spouse" means a widow (remarried or not) or Eng HB 4437 widower (remarried or not) of a veteran who is eligible to receive a gold star lapel pin under 10 U.S.C.
For purposes of this section, a “gold star spouse” means a veteran’s widow (remarried or not) or widower (remarried or not) who is eligible to receive a gold star lapel button under 10 U.S.C.
§ 1126 (or its successor).
§ 1126.
(f) A Gold star parent shall be exempt from all registration fees otherwise required by the provisions of this chapter for the registration of one Gold Star Family license plate for personal use.
(f) A gold star parent shall be exempt from all registration fees otherwise required by the provisions of this chapter for the registration of one Gold Star Family license plate for personal use.
For purposes of this section, a "Gold star parent" means a mother or father of a veteran who is eligible to receive a gold star lapel pin under 10 U.S.C.
For purposes of this section, "gold star parent" means a veteran’s parent who is eligible to receive a gold star lapel button under 10 U.S.C.
§ 1126 (or its successor).
§ 1126.
Enr HB 4437 The Clerk of the House of Delegates and the Clerk of the Senate hereby certify that the foregoing bill is correctly enrolled.
...............................................................
Clerk of the House of Delegates ...............................................................
Clerk of the Senate Originated in the House of Delegates.
In effect 90 days from passage.
...............................................................
Speaker of the House of Delegates ...............................................................
President of the Senate __________ The within is ................................................
this the...........................................
Day of ..........................................................................................................., 2026.
.............................................................
Governor 3
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Action History

  1. Filed for introduction

  2. To Energy and Public Works

  3. Introduced in House

  4. To House Energy and Public Works

  5. Markup Discussion

  6. Do pass

  7. On 1st reading, Special Calendar

  8. On 1st reading, Special Calendar

  9. Read 1st time

  10. On 2nd reading, Special Calendar

  11. Read 2nd time

  12. On 3rd reading, Special Calendar

  13. Read 3rd time

  14. Passed House (Roll No. 30)

  15. Communicated to Senate

  16. Introduced in Senate

  17. To Transportation and Infrastructure

  18. To Transportation and Infrastructure

  19. Reported do pass, with amendment

  20. On 1st reading

  21. Read 1st time

  22. On 2nd reading

  23. Read 2nd time

  24. Committee amendment adopted (Voice vote)

  25. On 3rd reading

  26. Read 3rd time

  27. Passed Senate (Roll No. 398)

  28. Title amendment adopted

  29. Senate requests House to concur

  30. House received Senate message

  31. House concurred in Senate amendment and title amendment and passed bill (Roll No. 632)

  32. Communicated to Senate

  33. Completed legislative action

  34. House Message received

  35. To Governor 3/18/2026 - Senate Journal

  36. To Governor 3/18/2026

  37. Approved by Governor 3/19/2026 - Senate Journal

  38. Approved by Governor 3/19/2026

  39. Approved by Governor 3/19/2026 - House Journal

  40. Chapter 236, Acts, Regular Session, 2026

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 10 co-sponsors · 141 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (10)

Not signed on (141)

141 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 141 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

PASSAGE-SENATE AMENDED HB

Passed 97 Yea · 0 Nay · 2 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 86002
Democrat 9000
Unaffiliated 2000
Total 97002
% of votes cast 98%0%0%2%
How each member voted (99)
Member Party Vote
Flanigan — Yea
Linville — Yea
Anitra Hamilton Democrat Yea
Evan Hansen Democrat Yea
Hollis Lewis Democrat Yea
John Williams Democrat Yea
Kayla Young Democrat Yea
Mike Pushkin Democrat Yea
Rick Garcia Democrat Yea
Sean Hornbuckle Democrat Yea
Shawn Fluharty Democrat Yea
Adam Burkhammer Republican Yea
Adam Vance Republican Yea
Andy Shamblin Republican Yea
Betsy Kelly Republican Yea
Bill Bell Republican Yea
Bill Ridenour Republican Yea
Bob Fehrenbacher Republican Yea
Bryan Smith Republican Not Voting
Bryan Ward Republican Yea
Carl "Bill" Roop Republican Yea
Carl Martin Republican Yea
Charles Sheedy Republican Yea
Chris Phillips Republican Yea
Christopher W. Toney Republican Yea
Chuck Horst Republican Yea
Clay Riley Republican Yea
D. Rolland Jennings Republican Yea
Dana Ferrell Republican Yea
Dave Foggin Republican Yea
David Cannon Republican Yea
David Green Republican Yea
David McCormick Republican Yea
Dean Jeffries Republican Yea
Doug Smith Republican Yea
Elias Coop-Gonzalez Republican Yea
Eric Brooks Republican Yea
Erica Moore Republican Yea
Evan Worrell Republican Yea
Gary G. Howell Republican Yea
Geno Chiarelli Republican Yea
George Miller Republican Yea
George Street Republican Yea
Gregory A. Watt Republican Yea
Guy Ward Republican Yea
Henry Dillon Republican Yea
Ian T. Masters Republican Yea
James Robert "JB" Akers II Republican Yea
Jarred Cannon Republican Yea
Jeff Campbell Republican Yea
Jeff Eldridge Republican Yea
Jeffrey Stephens Republican Yea
Jim Butler Republican Yea
Jimmy Willis Republican Yea
Joe Ellington Republican Yea
Joe Funkhouser Republican Yea
Joe Parsons Republican Yea
Joe Statler Republican Yea
John Jordan Republican Yea
John Paul Hott Republican Yea
Jonathan Kyle Republican Yea
Jonathan Pinson Republican Yea
Jordan Bridges Republican Yea
Jordan Maynor Republican Yea
Josh Holstein Republican Yea
Kathie Hess Crouse Republican Yea
Keith Marple Republican Not Voting
Laura Kimble Republican Yea
Lisa White Republican Yea
Lori Dittman Republican Yea
Margitta Mazzocchi Republican Yea
Mark Dean Republican Yea
Mark Zatezalo Republican Yea
Marshall W. Clay Republican Yea
Marty Gearheart Republican Yea
Matthew Rohrbach Republican Yea
Michael Amos Republican Yea
Michael Hite Republican Yea
Michael Hornby Republican Yea
Mickey Petitto Republican Yea
Pat McGeehan Republican Yea
Patrick Lucas Republican Yea
Phil Mallow Republican Yea
Ray Canterbury Republican Yea
Rick Hillenbrand Republican Yea
Roger Hanshaw Republican Yea
Roy Cooper Republican Yea
Ryan Browning Republican Yea
S. Chris Anders Republican Yea
Sarah Drennan Republican Yea
Scot C. Heckert Republican Yea
Stanley Adkins Republican Yea
Tresa Howell Republican Yea
Tristan Leavitt Republican Yea
Vacant1 Republican Yea
Vernon Criss Republican Yea
Walter Hall Republican Yea
Wayne Clark Republican Yea
William Anderson Republican Yea

Official roll call →

PASSAGE

Passed 96 Yea · 0 Nay · 3 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 84003
Democrat 9000
Unaffiliated 3000
Total 96003
% of votes cast 97%0%0%3%
How each member voted (99)
Member Party Vote
Kump — Yea
Flanigan — Yea
Linville — Yea
Anitra Hamilton Democrat Yea
Evan Hansen Democrat Yea
Hollis Lewis Democrat Yea
John Williams Democrat Yea
Kayla Young Democrat Yea
Mike Pushkin Democrat Yea
Rick Garcia Democrat Yea
Sean Hornbuckle Democrat Yea
Shawn Fluharty Democrat Yea
Adam Burkhammer Republican Yea
Adam Vance Republican Yea
Andy Shamblin Republican Yea
Bill Bell Republican Yea
Bill Ridenour Republican Yea
Bob Fehrenbacher Republican Yea
Bryan Smith Republican Yea
Bryan Ward Republican Yea
Carl "Bill" Roop Republican Yea
Carl Martin Republican Yea
Charles Sheedy Republican Yea
Chris Phillips Republican Yea
Christopher W. Toney Republican Yea
Chuck Horst Republican Yea
Clay Riley Republican Yea
D. Rolland Jennings Republican Yea
Dana Ferrell Republican Yea
Dave Foggin Republican Not Voting
David Cannon Republican Yea
David Green Republican Yea
David McCormick Republican Yea
Dean Jeffries Republican Yea
Doug Smith Republican Not Voting
Elias Coop-Gonzalez Republican Yea
Eric Brooks Republican Yea
Erica Moore Republican Yea
Evan Worrell Republican Yea
Gary G. Howell Republican Yea
Geno Chiarelli Republican Yea
George Miller Republican Yea
George Street Republican Yea
Gregory A. Watt Republican Yea
Guy Ward Republican Yea
Henry Dillon Republican Yea
Ian T. Masters Republican Yea
James Robert "JB" Akers II Republican Yea
Jarred Cannon Republican Yea
Jeff Campbell Republican Yea
Jeff Eldridge Republican Yea
Jeffrey Stephens Republican Yea
Jim Butler Republican Yea
Jimmy Willis Republican Yea
Joe Ellington Republican Yea
Joe Funkhouser Republican Yea
Joe Parsons Republican Yea
Joe Statler Republican Yea
John Jordan Republican Yea
John Paul Hott Republican Yea
Jonathan Kyle Republican Yea
Jonathan Pinson Republican Yea
Jordan Bridges Republican Not Voting
Jordan Maynor Republican Yea
Josh Holstein Republican Yea
Kathie Hess Crouse Republican Yea
Keith Marple Republican Yea
Laura Kimble Republican Yea
Lisa White Republican Yea
Lori Dittman Republican Yea
Margitta Mazzocchi Republican Yea
Mark Dean Republican Yea
Mark Zatezalo Republican Yea
Marshall W. Clay Republican Yea
Marty Gearheart Republican Yea
Matthew Rohrbach Republican Yea
Michael Amos Republican Yea
Michael Hite Republican Yea
Michael Hornby Republican Yea
Mickey Petitto Republican Yea
Pat McGeehan Republican Yea
Patrick Lucas Republican Yea
Phil Mallow Republican Yea
Ray Canterbury Republican Yea
Rick Hillenbrand Republican Yea
Roger Hanshaw Republican Yea
Roy Cooper Republican Yea
Ryan Browning Republican Yea
S. Chris Anders Republican Yea
Sarah Drennan Republican Yea
Scot C. Heckert Republican Yea
Stanley Adkins Republican Yea
Tresa Howell Republican Yea
Tristan Leavitt Republican Yea
Vacant1 Republican Yea
Vernon Criss Republican Yea
Walter Hall Republican Yea
Wayne Clark Republican Yea
William Anderson Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Subjects

veterans transportation
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

What does HB 4437 do?
To allow Gold Star parents to receive one free Gold Star vehicle registration for personal use.
Who sponsors HB 4437?
HB 4437 is sponsored by Charles Sheedy (Republican), David Cannon (Republican), David McCormick (Republican), Stanley Adkins (Republican), David Green (Republican), Gregory A. Watt (Republican), Adam Vance (Republican), Marshall W. Clay (Republican), Jimmy Willis (Republican), D. Rolland Jennings (Republican), and Roy Cooper (Republican).
What is the current status of HB 4437?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 16, 2026. Enacted.
Where can I track HB 4437?
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