West Virginia 2026 Session Status: Enacted 3 R cosponsors

SB 502 — Women’s Collegiate Sports Protection Act

Last action — Chapter 170, Acts, Regular Session, 2026

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

This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 19, 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.

  • 7 sponsors

    1 primary, 6 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (3 R).

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 3 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 addresses the participation of women in collegiate sports.

The Women's Collegiate Sports Protection Act focuses on issues related to women's participation in collegiate athletics. It aims to establish protections and guidelines for women's sports in educational institutions.

Summary

Women’s Collegiate Sports Protection Act

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

104 added · 1 removed

Plain-language change summary

The recent changes to Bill SB 502 have replaced the definition of "eligible institution" from a specific classification of NCAA Division I schools to any public institution of higher education in the state that offers women's collegiate sports. This broader definition allows more institutions to qualify under the bill, which is significant because it enhances opportunities for women's sports programs at a wider range of schools, potentially increasing funding and support for these programs starting July 1, 2026.

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SB502 HFA Lewis 3-12Altizer 3259  Delegate Lewis moves to amend CS for CS for SB502 on page 2, Section 3, lines 3 and 4, by striking out the words "classified as an NCAA Division I institution" and inserting in lieu thereof the words "that have women's collegiate sports". 
WEST VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION Enrolled Committee Substitute for Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 502 BY SENATORS TAYLOR, HARNOCK, HELTON, LIVERI, R OSE, RADY,AND W ILLIS [Passed March 14, 2026;
to take effect July 1, 2026] Enr CS for CS for SB 502 AN ACT to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding a new article, designated §18B-23-1, §18B-23-2, §18B-23-3, §18B-23-4, §18B-23-5, §18B-23-6, §18B-23-7, §18B-23-8, and §18B-23-9, relating to women’s collegiate athletics;
creating a short title;
providing legislative findings and purpose;
creating definitions;
establishing permanent protections for women’s collegiate sports programs through endowment funding;
providing for efficiency-based matching funds;
limiting use of earnings from a women’s athletics endowment;
ensuring compliance with Title IX;
providing for oversight and reporting;
providing rule-making authority;
and providing an effective date.
Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:
ARTICLE 23.
WOMEN'S COLLEGIATE SPORTS PROTECTION ACT.
§18B-23-1.
Short title.
This article shall be known and may be cited as the Women’s Collegiate Sports Protection Act.
§18B-23-2.
Legislative findings and purpose.
The Legislature finds that women’s collegiate Olympic sports provide significant educational, athletic, and leadership opportunities for students of this state;
that such programs face increasing financial instability due to shifting athletic funding priorities and external market pressures;
that operational efficiency within public institutions of higher education should be encouraged and rewarded;
and that permanent endowment funding provides protection against program elimination, budget volatility, and inequities arising from fluctuations in athletic funding.
The purpose of this article is to protect and sustain women’s collegiate Olympic sports programs through permanent endowment funding;
to reward verified institutional efficiencies;
and to ensure full compliance with federal Title IX requirements.
§18B-23-3.
Definitions.
For purposes of this article:
"Commission" means the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission.
Enr CS for CS for SB 502 "Eligible institution" means a public institution of higher education in this state that has women’s collegiate sports.
"Qualified contribution" means a private monetary donation made to a women’s athletics endowment.
"Verified cost savings" means documented reductions in expenditures achieved through operational efficiencies, administrative consolidation, renegotiated contracts, shared services, energy efficiencies, or similar measures, certified by the commission at the close of a fiscal year.
"Women’s athletics endowment" means a permanent endowment fund established pursuant to this article, the principal of which shall not be expended.
§18B-23-4.
Establishment of women’s athletics endowments.
(a) An eligible institution may establish a women’s athletics endowment to support women’s collegiate Olympic sports programs.
(b) The commission may establish or designate a statewide women’s athletics endowment trust for the benefit of eligible institutions.
(c) Funds contributed to an endowment shall be invested in accordance with applicable state investment standards, and only earnings may be expended.
Show all 73 changed rows (33 more)
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§18B-23-5.
Efficiency-based matching contributions.
(a) The commission may certify verified cost savings realized by an eligible institution at the close of a fiscal year.
(b) Subject to appropriation, the eligible institution may provide matching contributions to a women’s athletics endowment based upon verified cost savings.
(c) Matching contributions shall be subject to annual caps established by the Legislature.
(d) Savings eligible for matching under this section may not result from reductions in academic programs, faculty positions, essential student services, or actions impairing compliance with federal Title IX requirements.
Enr CS for CS for SB 502 §18B-23-6.
Use of endowment earnings.
Earnings from a women’s athletics endowment may be used solely for scholarships, coaching and training staff, equipment, facilities, travel, and other expenses directly related to women’s collegiate Olympic sports programs.
§18B-23-7.
Oversight and reporting.
(a) Each participating institution shall submit an annual report to the commission detailing verified cost savings, matching contributions received, private contributions, expenditures, and compliance with Title IX.
(b) The commission shall submit an annual consolidated report to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.
(c) Endowments established pursuant to this article shall be subject to periodic independent audit.
§18B-23-8.
Rule-making authority.
The commission may promulgate legislative rules in accordance with §29A-3A-1 et seq.
of this code to implement the provisions of this article.
§18B-23-9.
Effective date.
This article shall take effect July 1, 2026.
Enr CS for CS for SB 502 The Clerk of the Senate and the Clerk of the House of Delegates hereby certify that the foregoing bill is correctly enrolled.
...............................................................
Clerk of the Senate ...............................................................
Clerk of the House of Delegates Originated in the Senate.
To take effect July 1, 2026.
...............................................................
President of the Senate ...............................................................
Speaker of the House of Delegates __________ The within is ................................................
this the...........................................
Day of ..........................................................................................................., 2026.
.............................................................
Governor 5
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Action History

  1. Filed for introduction

  2. To Education then Finance

  3. Introduced in Senate

  4. To Education

  5. Committee substitute reported, but first to Finance

  6. To Finance

  7. Com. sub. for com. sub. reported

  8. On 1st reading

  9. Read 1st time

  10. On 2nd reading

  11. Read 2nd time

  12. On 3rd reading

  13. Read 3rd time

  14. Passed Senate (Roll No. 292)

  15. Effective July 1, 2026 (Roll No. 293)

  16. Ordered to House

  17. House received Senate message

  18. Introduced in House

  19. To Education then Finance

  20. To House Education

  21. Markup Discussion

  22. Do pass, but first to Finance

  23. 2nd reference dispensed

  24. Immediate consideration

  25. Read 1st time

  26. On 2nd reading, Special Calendar

  27. Read 2nd time

  28. Amendment reported by the Clerk

  29. Amendment adopted (Voice vote)

  30. On 3rd reading, Special Calendar

  31. Read 3rd time

  32. Passed House (Roll No. 532)

  33. Effective July 1, 2026 (Roll No. 533)

  34. Communicated to Senate

  35. House Message received

  36. Senate concurred in House amendments and passed bill (Roll No. 664)

  37. Effective July 1, 2026 (Roll No. 665)

  38. Communicated to House

  39. Completed legislative action

  40. To Governor 3/18/2026

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

  42. Approved by Governor 3/27/2026 - House Journal

  43. Approved by Governor 3/27/2026

  44. Approved by Governor 3/27/2026 - Senate Journal

  45. Chapter 170, Acts, Regular Session, 2026

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 6 co-sponsors · 145 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

  • Taylor

Co-sponsors (6)

Not signed on (145)

145 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 145 →

"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

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 →

Roll Call

Passed 33 Yea · 0 Nay · 1 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 28001
Unaffiliated 1000
Democrat 4000
Total 33001
% of votes cast 97%0%0%3%
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 Not Voting
Tom Takubo Republican Yea
Tom Willis Republican Yea
Trenton Barnhart Republican Yea
Trenton Barnhart Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Subjects

civil-rights education
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 SB 502 do?
Women’s Collegiate Sports Protection Act
Who sponsors SB 502?
SB 502 is sponsored by Taylor, Oliverio, Rose, Willis, Anne B. Charnock (Republican), Brian Helton (Republican), and Amy Grady (Republican).
What is the current status of SB 502?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 19, 2026. Enacted.
Where can I track SB 502?
Track SB 502 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

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