West Virginia 2026 Session Status: Introduced 10 R cosponsors

HB 5176 — Relating to creating the animal abuse database within the West Virginia State Police.

Last action — To Judiciary

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This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there are no live odds of enactment.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

Summary

Relating to creating the animal abuse database within the West Virginia State Police.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

53 added · 54 removed

Plain-language change summary

The revised version of Bill HB 5176 includes a change regarding how individuals can petition to be removed from the animal abuse database. Specifically, the amendment clarifies that any person convicted of a qualifying offense can apply for removal five years after a misdemeanor conviction or 15 years after a felony conviction. This matters because it gives individuals a clearer pathway to have their names cleared after a significant period, promoting second chances and reducing the long-term impact of past convictions on their lives.

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CS for HB 5176 WEST VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION Committee Substitute for House Bill 5176 By Delegates Akers, Hornby, Martin, Linville, Ferrell, McGeehan, Heckert, Browning, Moore, Campbell, and Maynor [Originating in the Committee on the Judiciary;
WEST VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION ENGROSSED Committee Substitute for House Bill 5176 By Delegates Akers, Hornby, Martin, Linville, Ferrell, McGeehan, Heckert, Browning, Moore, Campbell, and Maynor [Originating in the Committee on the Judiciary;
Reported on February 12, 2026] CS for HB 5176 A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding a new article, designated §15-2F-1, relating to creating the animal abuse database within the West Virginia State Police;
Reported on February 12, 2026] Eng CS for HB 5176 A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding a new article, designated §15-2F-1, relating to creating the animal abuse database within the West Virginia State Police;
The State Police shall compile and maintain a record of any payment made by a person 1 CS for HB 5176 pursuant to the provisions of this section, and the fees collected shall be deposited in the West Virginia State Police Criminal Justice Information Services Fund created in §15-2-3 of this code.
The State Police shall compile and maintain a record of any payment made by a person 1 Eng CS for HB 5176 pursuant to the provisions of this section, and the fees collected shall be deposited in the West Virginia State Police Criminal Justice Information Services Fund created in §15-2-3 of this code.
Provided, however, That written notice by the State Police served upon the person, by certified mail at the last address provided by the person, stating that that the annual fee has not been paid, may be recorded 30 days after the notice was received by the person in the office of the county clerk where the person listed on the animal abuse database resides.
Provided, however, That written notice by the State Police served upon the person, by certified mail at the last address provided by the person, stating that the annual fee has not been paid, may be recorded 30 days after the notice was received by the person in the office of the county clerk where the person listed on the animal abuse database resides.
2 CS for HB 5176 (2) Any person may also petition for removal from the animal abuse database five years after a conviction of a qualifying misdemeanor offense and 15 years after a conviction of a qualifying felony offense:
2 Eng CS for HB 5176 (2) Any person may also petition for removal from the animal abuse database five years after a conviction of a qualifying misdemeanor offense and 15 years after a conviction of a qualifying felony offense:
Provided, that the burden of proof shall be on the petitioner to prove by clear and convincing evidence:
Provided, That the burden of proof shall be on the petitioner to prove by clear and convincing evidence:
(g)(1) An elected public official, public employee or public agency is immune from civil liability for damages arising out of any action relating to the provisions of this section except when 3 CS for HB 5176 the official, employee or agency acted with gross negligence or in bad faith.
3 Eng CS for HB 5176 (g)(1) An elected public official, public employee or public agency is immune from civil liability for damages arising out of any action relating to the provisions of this section except when the official, employee or agency acted with gross negligence or in bad faith.
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Action History

  1. Filed for introduction

  2. To Judiciary

  3. Introduced in House

  4. To House Judiciary

  5. To House Courts

  6. Markup Discussion

  7. To House Judiciary

  8. Markup Discussion

  9. By substitute, do pass

  10. On 1st reading, Special Calendar

  11. Read 1st time

  12. On 2nd reading, Special Calendar

  13. Read 2nd time

  14. On 3rd reading, Special Calendar

  15. Read 3rd time

  16. Passed House (Roll No. 124)

  17. Communicated to Senate

  18. Introduced in Senate

  19. To Judiciary

  20. To Judiciary

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 10 co-sponsors · 141 not signed on · 2 voted No

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

Passed 89 Yea · 2 Nay · 8 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 78207
Democrat 9000
Unaffiliated 2001
Total 89208
% of votes cast 90%2%0%8%
How each member voted (99)
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 Yea
Adam Burkhammer Republican Yea
Adam Vance Republican Not Voting
Andy Shamblin 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 Nay
Clay Riley Republican Yea
D. Rolland Jennings Republican Yea
Dana Ferrell Republican Yea
Dave Foggin Republican Nay
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 Not Voting
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 Yea
Laura Kimble Republican Yea
Lisa White Republican Yea
Lori Dittman Republican Yea
Margitta Mazzocchi Republican Yea
Mark Dean Republican Not Voting
Mark Zatezalo Republican Yea
Marshall W. Clay Republican Yea
Marty Gearheart Republican Yea
Matthew Rohrbach Republican Yea
Michael Amos Republican Yea
Michael Hite Republican Not Voting
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 Not Voting
Vacant1 Republican Yea
Vernon Criss Republican Yea
Walter Hall Republican Yea
Wayne Clark Republican Not Voting
William Anderson Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Subjects

public-safety civil-rights
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Frequently asked questions

What does HB 5176 do?
Relating to creating the animal abuse database within the West Virginia State Police.
Who sponsors HB 5176?
HB 5176 is sponsored by Linville, James Robert "JB" Akers II (Republican), Michael Hornby (Republican), Carl Martin (Republican), Dana Ferrell (Republican), Pat McGeehan (Republican), Scot C. Heckert (Republican), Ryan Browning (Republican), Erica Moore (Republican), Jeff Campbell (Republican), and Jordan Maynor (Republican).
What is the current status of HB 5176?
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 5176?
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