West Virginia 2026 Session Status: Introduced 11 R cosponsors

HB 4477 — To give the Secretary of State authority to refer allegations of violations of election laws to West Virginia Prosecuting Attorneys Institute.

Last action — To Judiciary

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

This bill died with 2026 Session. It reached “Introduced” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there is no live prognosis. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

Summary

To give the Secretary of State authority to refer allegations of violations of election laws to West Virginia Prosecuting Attorneys Institute.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

1 added · 246 removed

Plain-language change summary

The recent amendment to Bill HB 4477 introduces a new title that clarifies the roles and responsibilities related to election law violations in West Virginia. It now specifies that the Secretary of State must provide detailed written reports to county prosecuting attorneys about potential election law violations, and establishes a protocol for appointing special prosecutors to investigate these matters. This change is important because it aims to enhance the handling of election-related issues, ensuring that investigations are conducted fairly and efficiently, ultimately strengthening public trust in the electoral process.

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HB4477 SUB HFA Phillips 2-26 #1Wilkinson 3909 Delegate Phillips moves to amend the committee substitute on page 2, section 3-1A-6, line 19, following the period, by inserting the following text:“The initiation of any investigation by the Secretary of State pursuant to his or her duties set forth in this §3-1A-6(c) of the code shall toll any and all applicable statutes of limitations for crimes related to election laws, election frauds, and irregularities in any registration or election during the pendency and processes of any referrals for prosecution of such matters as set forth in §3-1A-6(d) of this code.
HB4477 HFAT Akers 2-26Morgan 3345 Delegate Akers moved to amend the bill by striking out the title and substituting therefor a new title, to read as follows:H.
  AdoptedRejected 
B.
4477 -- A Bill to amend and reenact §3-1A-6 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended;
and to amend and reenact  §7-4-6 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended all relating to requiring the Secretary of State to provide a county prosecuting attorney a written report of refer potential violations of election laws, frauds, or irregularities in any registration or election;
tolling any and all applicable statutes of limitation for crimes relating to election laws, election frauds, and irregularities in any registration or election once the Secretary of State initiates an investigation into these matters pursuant to his or her duties and during the pendency and processes of any referrals for prosecution as set forth in this section;
relating to requiring the prosecuting attorney to refer the matters contained within the Secretary of State’s report to the West Virginia Prosecuting Attorneys Institute for appointment of a special prosecuting attorney;
also relating to requiring the West Virginia Prosecuting Attorneys Institute to appoint a special prosecutor to review and investigate the allegations of potential election laws contained within the Secretary of State’s written report;
also relating to periodic written updates that must be provided at certain designated times to the Secretary of State by the appointed special prosecuting attorney;
also relating to requiring that each prosecuting attorney in this state is subject to the appointment as a special prosecutor in these instances;
also related to requiring that the special prosecuting attorney shall serve without further compensation other than reimbursement for their legitimate expenses associated with travel, mileage, room and board from the county to which they are appointed as a special prosecutor;
also relating to requiring the county commission of the county to which they are appointed as a special prosecutor shall be responsible for all allowable expenses;
and also relating to not requiring an appointed special prosecutor to take an additional oath when appointed as a special prosecuting attorney.
      AdoptedRejected 
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How this bill changes current law

1 change Share ↗

Compared against the W. Va. Code as published AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill adds a provision to toll statutes of limitations for election-related crimes during investigations by the Secretary of State.

  • §3-1A-6

    The initiation of any investigation by the Secretary of State pursuant to his or her duties set forth in this §3-1A-6(c) of the code shall toll any and all applicable statutes of limitations for crimes related to election laws, election frauds, and irregularities in any registration or election during the pendency and processes of any referrals for prosecution of such matters as set forth in §3-1A-6(d) of this code.

    This change provides that the statute of limitations is paused during investigations into election-related crimes by the Secretary of State.

Action History

  1. Introduced in Senate

  2. To Judiciary

  3. To Judiciary

  4. On 3rd reading, Special Calendar

  5. Read 3rd time

  6. Passed House (Roll No. 222)

  7. Title amendment adopted (Voice vote)

  8. Communicated to Senate

  9. Read 2nd time

  10. Amendment reported by the Clerk

  11. Amendment adopted (Voice vote)

  12. From House Calendar, 2nd reading, placed on Special Calendar

  13. Read 2nd time

  14. Postponed on 2nd reading, Special Calendar, until 2/26/2026

  15. On 2nd reading, House Calendar

  16. On 2nd reading, Special Calendar

  17. Placed on House Calendar

  18. Read 1st time

  19. By substitute, do pass

  20. Markup Discussion

  21. To House Judiciary

  22. To House Courts

  23. Markup Discussion

  24. Filed for introduction

  25. To Judiciary

  26. Introduced in House

  27. To House Judiciary

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 10 co-sponsors · 123 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (10)

Not signed on (123)

123 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"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

Passed 94 Yea · 0 Nay · 6 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 84004
Democrat 8001
Unaffiliated 2001
Total 94006
% of votes cast 94%0%0%6%
How each member voted (100)
Member Party Vote
Flanigan — Yea
Linville — Yea
Kump — Not Voting
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 Not Voting
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 Not Voting
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 Not Voting
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

public-safety elections
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Frequently asked questions

What does HB 4477 do?
To give the Secretary of State authority to refer allegations of violations of election laws to West Virginia Prosecuting Attorneys Institute.
Who sponsors HB 4477?
HB 4477 is sponsored by Gary G. Howell (Republican), Roger Hanshaw (Republican), Lori Dittman (Republican), Pat McGeehan (Republican), Walter Hall (Republican), Ray Canterbury (Republican), Michael Hite (Republican), Ian T. Masters (Republican), Bill Ridenour (Republican), Joe Ellington (Republican), and Christopher W. Toney (Republican).
What is the current status of HB 4477?
This bill died with 2026 Session. It reached “Introduced” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
Where can I track HB 4477?
Track HB 4477 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

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