West Virginia 2026 Session Status: Enacted 9 R cosponsors

HB 5437 — Creating the Vape Safety Act

Last action — Chapter 265, 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 February 11, 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 66% · moderate confidence

  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 10 sponsors

    1 primary, 9 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (9 R).

  • Mixed recorded votes

    5 passed, 2 failed in 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

This bill creates regulations for vape product safety.

The Vape Safety Act establishes safety standards for vaping products. It aims to ensure that these products are safe for consumers.

What this means for you
  • Consumers: This means consumers will have access to safer vaping products that meet specific safety standards.

Summary

Creating the Vape Safety Act

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

1 added · 1 removed

Plain-language change summary

In the latest amendment to HB 5437, the roles of the State Tax Commissioner have been removed from specific regulatory responsibilities outlined in the bill. Additionally, the bill's title has been updated to reflect a broader scope on regulating vape and smoke shops, including requirements for licensing, compliance, and enforcement. These changes are significant because they clarify who's responsible for oversight and enhance the regulatory framework addressing vaping and smoking products, which is important for public health and safety.

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Previous
Latest
HB5437 SFAT Helton # 3-9Dellinger  7965Senator Helton moved to amend the bill by striking out the title and substituting therefor a new title, to read as follows:Eng.
HB5437 SFA Helton # 3-10Dellinger  7965Senators Helton and Deeds moved to amend the committee amendment on page 13, section 11, line 9, after the word "by" by striking out the words "the State Tax Commissioner and";And,On page 14, section 13, line 1, after the word "thereafter," by striking out the words "the State Tax Commissioner and".   AdoptedRejected
Com.
Sub.
for House Bill 5437—A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding a new article, designated §16-9H-1, §16-9H-2, §16-9H-3, §16-9H-4, §16-9H-5, §16-9H-6, §16-9H-7, §16-9H-8, §16-9H-9, §16-9H-10, §16-9H-11, §16-9H-12, §16-9H-13, §16-9H-14, §16-9H-15, §16-9H-16, §16-9H-17, and §16-9H-18, relating to regulating vape or smoke shops;
defining terms;
requiring license;
addressing penalties;
addressing jurisdiction;
setting forth license requirements;
establishing fee;
setting forth enforcement;
prohibiting use of vape or smoke shop as a residence;
setting forth violations;
prohibiting the sale of certain vapor products;
establishing advertising standards;
regulating locations;
setting forth violations;
setting forth enforcement;
addressing service of process;
requiring reporting;
requiring rulemaking regarding labeling;
establishing criminal penalties;
establishing administrative sanctions;
setting forth appeals process;
addressing applicability in reference to cigar stores;
and permitting general rulemaking.     AdoptedRejected
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Action History

  1. Filed for introduction

  2. To Health and Human Resources then Judiciary

  3. Introduced in House

  4. To House Health and Human Resources

  5. Markup Discussion

  6. By substitute, do pass, but first to Judiciary

  7. 2nd reference dispensed

  8. On 1st reading, Special Calendar

  9. Read 1st time

  10. On 2nd reading, Special Calendar

  11. Read 2nd time

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

  13. Read 2nd time

  14. On 3rd reading, Special Calendar

  15. Amendments pending

  16. Read 3rd time

  17. Amendment reported by the Clerk

  18. Amendment rejected (Roll No. 225)

  19. Amendment reported by the Clerk

  20. Amendment adopted (Voice vote)

  21. Amendment reported by the Clerk

  22. Amendment rejected (Roll No. 226)

  23. Amendment adopted (Voice vote)

  24. Passed House (Roll No. 227)

  25. Title amendment adopted (Voice vote)

  26. Communicated to Senate

  27. Introduced in Senate

  28. To Health and Human Resources

  29. To Health and Human Resources

  30. Reported do pass, with amendment

  31. Immediate consideration

  32. Read 1st time

  33. On 2nd reading

  34. Read 2nd time

  35. On 3rd reading with right to amend

  36. Read 3rd time

  37. Committee amendment reported

  38. Amendments to committee amendment adopted (Voice vote)

  39. Committee amendment as amended adopted (Voice vote)

  40. Passed Senate (Roll No. 414)

  41. Title amendment adopted

  42. Senate requests House to concur

  43. House received Senate message

  44. House concurred in Senate amendment and title amendment and passed bill (Roll No. 506)

  45. Communicated to Senate

  46. Completed legislative action

  47. House Message received

  48. To Governor 3/25/2026 - Senate Journal

  49. To Governor 3/25/26

  50. Approved by Governor 4/1/2026 - Senate Journal

  51. Approved by Governor 4/1/2026 - House Journal

  52. Approved by Governor 4/1/2026

  53. Chapter 265, Acts, Regular Session, 2026

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 9 co-sponsors · 142 not signed on · 66 voted No

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (9)

Not signed on (142)

142 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 142 →

"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 92 Yea · 5 Nay · 2 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 81502
Democrat 9000
Unaffiliated 2000
Total 92502
% of votes cast 93%5%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 Nay
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 Nay
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 Yea
Laura Kimble Republican Nay
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 Nay
Matthew Rohrbach Republican Yea
Michael Amos Republican Yea
Michael Hite Republican Yea
Michael Hornby Republican Yea
Mickey Petitto Republican Not Voting
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 Nay
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 →

Roll Call

Passed 34 Yea · 0 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 29000
Democrat 4000
Unaffiliated 1000
Total 34000
% of votes cast 100%0%0%0%
How each member voted (34)
Member Party Vote
MR PRESIDENT — Yea
Anitra Hamilton Democrat Yea
Mike Woelfel Democrat Yea
Mike Woelfel Democrat Yea
Rick Garcia Democrat Yea
Ben Queen Republican Yea
Carl Martin Republican Yea
Chris Phillips Republican Yea
Chris Rose Republican Yea
Chris Rose Republican Yea
Dean Jeffries Republican Yea
Eric Tarr Republican Yea
Eric Tarr Republican Yea
Glenn Jeffries Republican Yea
Jack Woodrum Republican Yea
Jack Woodrum Republican Yea
Jay Taylor Republican Yea
Jimmy Willis Republican Yea
Mark R. Maynard Republican Yea
Mike Oliverio Republican Yea
Patricia Rucker Republican Yea
Patricia Rucker Republican Yea
Robbie Morris Republican Yea
Rollan A. Roberts Republican Yea
Rollan A. Roberts Republican Yea
Rupie Phillips Republican Yea
Rupie Phillips Republican Yea
Ryan Weld Republican Yea
Ryan Weld Republican Yea
Tom Takubo Republican Yea
Tom Takubo Republican Yea
Tom Willis Republican Yea
Trenton Barnhart Republican Yea
Trenton Barnhart Republican Yea

Official roll call →

HFA DEAN 2-26 #2

Failed 26 Yea · 67 Nay · 7 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 186505
Democrat 6201
Unaffiliated 2001
Total 266707
% of votes cast 26%67%0%7%
How each member voted (100)
Member Party Vote
Linville — Yea
Flanigan — Yea
Kump — Not Voting
Anitra Hamilton Democrat Nay
Evan Hansen Democrat Yea
Hollis Lewis Democrat Nay
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 Nay
Adam Vance Republican Nay
Andy Shamblin Republican Nay
Betsy Kelly Republican Nay
Bill Bell Republican Nay
Bill Ridenour Republican Nay
Bob Fehrenbacher Republican Nay
Bryan Smith Republican Not Voting
Bryan Ward Republican Nay
Carl "Bill" Roop Republican Nay
Carl Martin Republican Yea
Charles Sheedy Republican Nay
Chris Phillips Republican Yea
Christopher W. Toney Republican Nay
Chuck Horst Republican Yea
Clay Riley Republican Nay
D. Rolland Jennings Republican Nay
Dana Ferrell Republican Nay
Dave Foggin Republican Nay
David Cannon Republican Nay
David Green Republican Nay
David McCormick Republican Nay
Dean Jeffries Republican Nay
Doug Smith Republican Yea
Elias Coop-Gonzalez Republican Nay
Eric Brooks Republican Nay
Erica Moore Republican Nay
Evan Worrell Republican Nay
Gary G. Howell Republican Nay
Geno Chiarelli Republican Nay
George Miller Republican Yea
George Street Republican Nay
Gregory A. Watt Republican Nay
Guy Ward Republican Yea
Henry Dillon Republican Yea
Ian T. Masters Republican Yea
James Robert "JB" Akers II Republican Nay
Jarred Cannon Republican Not Voting
Jeff Campbell Republican Nay
Jeff Eldridge Republican Yea
Jeffrey Stephens Republican Yea
Jim Butler Republican Nay
Jimmy Willis Republican Not Voting
Joe Ellington Republican Nay
Joe Funkhouser Republican Nay
Joe Parsons Republican Nay
Joe Statler Republican Nay
John Jordan Republican Nay
John Paul Hott Republican Nay
Jonathan Kyle Republican Nay
Jonathan Pinson Republican Nay
Jordan Bridges Republican Not Voting
Jordan Maynor Republican Nay
Josh Holstein Republican Nay
Kathie Hess Crouse Republican Yea
Keith Marple Republican Nay
Laura Kimble Republican Yea
Lisa White Republican Nay
Lori Dittman Republican Nay
Margitta Mazzocchi Republican Nay
Mark Dean Republican Yea
Mark Zatezalo Republican Nay
Marshall W. Clay Republican Yea
Marty Gearheart Republican Yea
Matthew Rohrbach Republican Nay
Michael Amos Republican Not Voting
Michael Hite Republican Yea
Michael Hornby Republican Nay
Mickey Petitto Republican Nay
Pat McGeehan Republican Yea
Patrick Lucas Republican Nay
Phil Mallow Republican Nay
Ray Canterbury Republican Nay
Rick Hillenbrand Republican Nay
Roger Hanshaw Republican Nay
Roy Cooper Republican Nay
Ryan Browning Republican Nay
S. Chris Anders Republican Yea
Sarah Drennan Republican Nay
Scot C. Heckert Republican Nay
Stanley Adkins Republican Nay
Tresa Howell Republican Nay
Tristan Leavitt Republican Nay
Vacant1 Republican Nay
Vernon Criss Republican Nay
Walter Hall Republican Nay
Wayne Clark Republican Nay
William Anderson Republican Nay

Official roll call →

HFA CLARK 2-24 #1

Failed 29 Yea · 61 Nay · 10 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 216106
Democrat 7002
Unaffiliated 1002
Total 2961010
% of votes cast 29%61%0%10%
How each member voted (100)
Member Party Vote
Flanigan — Yea
Kump — Not Voting
Linville — 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 Not Voting
Shawn Fluharty Democrat Not Voting
Adam Burkhammer Republican Nay
Adam Vance Republican Yea
Andy Shamblin Republican Nay
Betsy Kelly Republican Nay
Bill Bell Republican Nay
Bill Ridenour Republican Yea
Bob Fehrenbacher Republican Nay
Bryan Smith Republican Not Voting
Bryan Ward Republican Nay
Carl "Bill" Roop Republican Nay
Carl Martin Republican Yea
Charles Sheedy Republican Nay
Chris Phillips Republican Yea
Christopher W. Toney Republican Nay
Chuck Horst Republican Yea
Clay Riley Republican Nay
D. Rolland Jennings Republican Nay
Dana Ferrell Republican Yea
Dave Foggin Republican Nay
David Cannon Republican Nay
David Green Republican Nay
David McCormick Republican Nay
Dean Jeffries Republican Nay
Doug Smith Republican Yea
Elias Coop-Gonzalez Republican Nay
Eric Brooks Republican Nay
Erica Moore Republican Nay
Evan Worrell Republican Nay
Gary G. Howell Republican Nay
Geno Chiarelli Republican Nay
George Miller Republican Yea
George Street Republican Nay
Gregory A. Watt Republican Nay
Guy Ward Republican Yea
Henry Dillon Republican Nay
Ian T. Masters Republican Yea
James Robert "JB" Akers II Republican Nay
Jarred Cannon Republican Not Voting
Jeff Campbell Republican Nay
Jeff Eldridge Republican Nay
Jeffrey Stephens Republican Yea
Jim Butler Republican Nay
Jimmy Willis Republican Not Voting
Joe Ellington Republican Nay
Joe Funkhouser Republican Nay
Joe Parsons Republican Nay
Joe Statler Republican Nay
John Jordan Republican Nay
John Paul Hott Republican Nay
Jonathan Kyle Republican Nay
Jonathan Pinson Republican Nay
Jordan Bridges Republican Not Voting
Jordan Maynor Republican Nay
Josh Holstein Republican Nay
Kathie Hess Crouse Republican Yea
Keith Marple Republican Nay
Laura Kimble Republican Yea
Lisa White Republican Nay
Lori Dittman Republican Nay
Margitta Mazzocchi Republican Nay
Mark Dean Republican Yea
Mark Zatezalo Republican Nay
Marshall W. Clay Republican Not Voting
Marty Gearheart Republican Nay
Matthew Rohrbach Republican Nay
Michael Amos Republican Not Voting
Michael Hite Republican Nay
Michael Hornby Republican Nay
Mickey Petitto Republican Yea
Pat McGeehan Republican Yea
Patrick Lucas Republican Yea
Phil Mallow Republican Nay
Ray Canterbury Republican Nay
Rick Hillenbrand Republican Yea
Roger Hanshaw Republican Nay
Roy Cooper Republican Nay
Ryan Browning Republican Nay
S. Chris Anders Republican Yea
Sarah Drennan Republican Nay
Scot C. Heckert Republican Nay
Stanley Adkins Republican Yea
Tresa Howell Republican Nay
Tristan Leavitt Republican Nay
Vacant1 Republican Nay
Vernon Criss Republican Nay
Walter Hall Republican Nay
Wayne Clark Republican Yea
William Anderson Republican Nay

Official roll call →

PASSAGE

Passed 88 Yea · 5 Nay · 7 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 78505
Democrat 8001
Unaffiliated 2001
Total 88507
% of votes cast 88%5%0%7%
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 Nay
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 Nay
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 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 Not Voting
Jordan Maynor Republican Yea
Josh Holstein Republican Yea
Kathie Hess Crouse Republican Yea
Keith Marple Republican Yea
Laura Kimble Republican Nay
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 Nay
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 Nay
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 healthcare health-insurance
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Frequently asked questions

What does HB 5437 do?
Creating the Vape Safety Act
Who sponsors HB 5437?
HB 5437 is sponsored by Clark, David McCormick (Republican), Jordan Maynor (Republican), Jonathan Kyle (Republican), James Robert "JB" Akers II (Republican), Bob Fehrenbacher (Republican), Scot C. Heckert (Republican), Sarah Drennan (Republican), Evan Worrell (Republican), and Jonathan Pinson (Republican).
What is the current status of HB 5437?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced February 11, 2026. Enacted.
Where can I track HB 5437?
Track HB 5437 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

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