House 4475

WEST virginia legislature

2026 regular session

Introduced

House Bill 4475

By Delegates G. Howell, Canterbury, Cooper, Dittman, Burkhammer, Hite, Green, Masters, Ridenour, Ellington, and Campbell

[Introduced; referred

to the Committee on]

A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding a new article, designated §29-37-1, relating to the creation of the Disaster Recovery Acceleration Act.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:

ARTICLE 37. disaster recovery acceleration act.

§29-37-1. Restoration of private property by an individual following a natural disaster.

(a) Short title. – This article may be referred to and referenced as the "Disaster Recovery Acceleration Act."

(b) Definition. – "Disaster restoration" means the repair or restoration, or both, other than normal maintenance, or the replacement of, real property of an individual, that is damaged or destroyed by a disaster.

(c) Conditions. –

(1) An individual who undergoes disaster restoration is entitled to rebuild his or her new home up to 125% of the original square footage without triggering new development standards or extensive environmental reviews.

(2) Existing home or building codes shall be followed by an individual undergoing disaster restoration to his or her property: Provided, That if an existing home was grandfathered into any existing rules or regulations of a city, municipality, or county, those shall continue to exist during a disaster restoration.

NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to provide for the creation of the Disaster Recovery Acceleration Act.

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