House 4494

WEST virginia legislature

2026 regular session

Introduced

House Bill 4494

By Delegates Butler, Cooper, Masters, B. Ward, Pinson, Brooks, Dean, Dillon, Ridenour, Jennings, and Dittman

[Introduced January 19, 2026; referred to the Committee on Government Organization]

A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding a new section, designated §20-2-42aa, relating to providing an exemption for a non-resident landowner, their spouse and their children from the requirement of purchasing a non-resident hunting license while hunting on their land in this state.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:

ARTICLE 2. wildlife resources.

§20-2-42aa. Exemption for a non-resident landowner from purchasing a non-resident hunting license while hunting on their land in this state

A non-resident landowner and the spouse and children living with the non-resident landowner may hunt on the property he or she owns in this state without a license: Provided, That the home state of the non-resident landowner permits West Virginia residents the same exemption on property that West Virginia residents own.  Grandchildren of non-resident landowners shall not qualify for this exemption.

NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to provide an exemption for a non-resident landowner, their spouse and their children from the requirement of purchasing a non-resident hunting license while hunting on their land in this state.

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