House 4355

WEST virginia legislature

2026 regular session

Committee Substitute

for

House Bill 4355

By Delegate Burkhammer

[Originating in the Committee on Government
Organization; Reported on February 16, 2026]

A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §20-2-56b, relating to the creation of an "upland game bird" stamp to support the purchase and release of upland game birds in West Virginia Wildlife Management Areas.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:

ARTICLE 2. WILDLIFE RESOURCES.

§20-2-56b. Upland game bird stamp.

(a) A Class UB stamp is a resident upland game bird hunting stamp and a Class UBO stamp is a non-resident upland game bird hunting stamp. These stamps entitle the licensee to hunt and take upland game birds during any upland game bird season in all counties of the state. The fee for a Class UB stamp is $25 and the fee for a Class UBO is $50. These stamps require the licensee purchase the appropriate base license before participating in the activities specified in this section, except as noted.

(b) "Upland game birds" are defined as ruffed grouse, bobwhite quail, and ring necked pheasant. The definition of upland game birds may be modified by the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources.

(c) The proceeds of the stamp shall be used by the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources to purchase and release upland game birds into West Virginia Wildlife Management Areas and to develop and manage upland game bird habitat in those same areas and any additional lands the Director of the Division of Natural Resources may later deem appropriate for such development and management.

(d) Nothing in this code will remove resident landowner privileges to hunt or take upland game birds on their own property.

(e) The Director shall be responsible for administering the upland game bird stamp.

NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to create the "upland game bird" stamp to be administered by the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources.

Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from a heading or the present law and underscoring indicates new language that would be added.