The session is over for another year and no animal bills made it out of committee in 2024. SB 314 was a good one but it was late in the session when it was supported and not enough time for any significant action.
The VetStart WV program failed to get added to the budget which would have created a 4 year Vet Tech program at two of our state universities. It may have offered some relief to our lack of vets in the state was one argument that FOHO WV supported. But it was not to be this session. There will be an interim session later in 2024 to tackle some budget items so who knows if it will resurface at that time.
During this session, we are sad to announce that both Sylvia Shafer and Betty Burkett passed on the same day in Jan. We have lost two of our champions of our animal welfare movement in WV and are greatly saddened by their passing.
Welcome to our ‘Daily at the State Legislature page’
Here we address animal welfare bills that are introduced during the WV Legislative Session.
We will note if we think it is particularly good or a threat to an existing law on the books that protects animals. We often leave you to make that determination. Note that the dates are from newest to oldest as we post east current day to garner support for necessary bills.
Keep in mind, we are all volunteers who provide this information taking time from our busy lives to keep you informed. Our contributors on the bills are WV animal welfare supporters from all over the state providing this information to us.
Here are some hints. You can go to the WV State Legislature site https://www.wvlegislature.gov/
You can also track bills through their site. https://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/bill_status.cfm
We have accumulated a 20-year history of animal bills in the WV State Legislature. It is a unique history and can be accessed here only.
Legislative Session Detail Animal Welfare 03-2023
Here we are again for another session of the WV State Legislature. We know everyone thinks we need more laws to help animals. We need some but really not many to do the job well. First, we need the enforcement of the laws we have. However, there are areas of ambiguity within the code. And bills that are just lacking in support of our furry friends. Often, we just need to remain vigilant to ensure a bill will not do more harm than good.
Often bills get introduced as a courtesy to a local constituent. If bills do not get helped & nurtured they simply remain in committee and languish like the majority of other bills that never pass. If you have an interest in a bill, you have to get involved, get others involved, write to your legislators, post on social media, travel to Charleston to see them in person, make phone calls. Sounds like a lot of effort, doesn’t it? Well, it definitely is. That is why only a small portion of bills actually make it through to passage and becoming law.
Read and see if you support or oppose any of these that have been introduced. If you do nothing, then your argument remains that the law needs changed but you are unwilling to offer effort to get it done. It may be different this year and you could be that difference. If we miss a bill, please let us know.
Notes these dates of interest for this legislative session: February 25, 2024 all bills due out of committees in house of origin to ensure three full days for readings.
February 28, 2024: Last day to consider bill on third reading in house of origin. Does not include budget or supplementary appropriation bills.
March 9, 2024: Adjournment at Midnight.
The session is over for another year and no animal bills made it out of committee. SB 314 was a good one but it was late in the session when it was supported and not enough time for any significant action.
The VetStart WV program failed to get added to the budget which would have created a 4 year Vet Tech program at two of our state universities. It may have offered some relief to our lack of vets in the state was one argument that FOHO WV supported. But it was not to be this session. There will be an interim session later in 2024 to tackle some budget items so who knows if it will resurface at that time.
During this session, we are sad to announce that both Sylvia Shafer and Betty Burkett passed on the same day in Feb. We have lost two of our champions of our animal welfare movement in WV and are greatly saddened by their passing.
Feb. 16 None of the animal bills have moved out of committee of origin and they have until 2.25.24 to do so.
Feb. 15
3 more bills of interest of animal advocates have been submitted since Jan. 23rd listed below.
HB 5246 The purpose of this bill is to prohibit unlawful restraint of dogs Del Griffith of Cabell, Wayne sent To Judiciary
(This bill has sheltering requirements in it also).
HB 5066 The purpose of this bill is to prohibit electric bicycles, or “e-bikes,” for hunting use
this state. Del Burkheimer of Lewis, Upshur To House Agriculture and Natural Resources 01/24/24
SB 501 The purpose of this bill relates to cruelty to animals. The bill creates and defines the felony offense of cruelty to animals; modifies and clarifies applicability of the section; defines terms; and creates criminal penalties. Sen. Weld / Brooke, Hancock, Marshall (part), Ohio and Deed Fayette (part), Summers, Monroe, Greenbrier, Nicholas sent To Judiciary
Jan 23
HB 5044 The purpose of this bill is to amend the statute relating to cruelty to animals. The bill provides definitions of “food”, “water”, “shelter”, and “treatment”. It provides specifics for tethering an animal. The bill includes for seizure of an animal for violations in addition to increasing criminal penalties. Finally, the bill provides that a person in violation of this statute for a second time shall be added to a state-wide, publicly available, do not adopt or sell registry. Del. Williams of Monongalia to Judiciary
Jan 19
HB 4944 – The purpose of this bill is to allow a tax credit for the cost of spaying or neutering a dog or cat. Lead sponsor E. Pritt of Fayette, Co-sponsors Dels. Tully of Nicholas, Ferrell of Kanawha, and Willis of Brooke & Ohio to Ag & Nat. Res. and then to Finance Committee.
HB 4935 The purpose of this bill is to provide increased protections for the welfare of domestic animals in the care of animal shelters, breeders, and private individuals. Lead sponsor is Del. Ferrell of Kanawha
This is a comprehensive bill which adds needed information such as a definition of adequate shelter, tethering, adequate care of companion animals, requirement for all counties to provide animal shelters and inspection of those facilities. The bill covers hoarding, lends more detail to commercial breeding law with protection to purchasers from breeders and more. It is quite long so read it to see if you agree that this is a needed comprehensive change to animal law in WV. We will watch this bill carefully as it is amended to ensure that no erosion occurs to 61-8-19. We still believe some changes should be made to some of this bill but it is acceptable.
A similar to exact bill was introduced in the past years but did not get any movement.
2020 – HB 4880
2021 – HB 2095
2022 – HB 2095 -checked this several times since bills are not carried over with same bill no. but this one was.
2023 – HB 3345
HB 4363 The purpose of this bill is to allow an owner of Japanese quail (Coturnix Quail and Button Quail) to keep them as pets without having to obtain a license for a private game farm.
Jan. 12
SB 399 The purpose of this bill is to make it unlawful to harm, attempt to harm, or kill a police dog that is under the control of a law-enforcement or corrections officer who is acting in his or her official capacity. The bill also defines the term “police dog” and sets forth penalties. Sen Weld lead sponsor to Judiciary
SB 314 The purpose of this bill is to provide added protection for animals exposed to extreme weather.
Sen Chapman lead sponsor from Hancock, Brooke, Ohio, Marshall (part) To House Agriculture and Natural Resources then on to Judiciary
We need this definition of shelter bill! The definition of shelter has been pulled from previous bills and certainly helps to definite more fully ‘protect from the elements of the weather.’ This bill was presented in Session 2023 as SB 217 but it did not have the ‘provide protection from the direct rays of the sun in hot weather’ condition added. However, with SB 314 this has been rectified and has cold weather and hot weather and looks to be an exceptional bill that we can support. Someone paid attention on improving this bill. Thanks to Sen. Chapman for sponsoring this.
HB 4655 The purpose of this bill is to establish a state animal abuse register; the bill requires all those convicted of animal abuse to register and directs the State Police to maintain a registry of registered animal abusers; and establishes criminal penalty for failure to register. Del Steele from Raleigh to House Agriculture and Natural Resources then on to Judiciary
HB 4363 The purpose of this bill is to allow an owner of Japanese quail (Coturnix Quail and Button Quail) to keep them as pets without having to obtain a license for a private game farm.
Jan. 11
SB 221 Creating felony offense of aggravated cruelty to animals to Senate Judiciary Lead sponsor R. Weld / Brooke, Hancock, Marshall (part), Ohio & A. Grady / Jackson, Mason, Putnam (part), Roane (part)
Similar bills from 2022 and 2021 with Weld as sponsor but this time Sen Grady is a sponsor too. We will look at this and compare to the previous bills. Now, we have intentional cruelty as a felony but it seems hard to prove and the animal usually dies as a result before the charge is made. Often the perpetrators plea bargain their way out of a felony. That could still occur here but it is worth a closer look at this bill. Of note here is that felony is added in the code to the area of protection for shelter, food and water, medical treatment, etc. It is still going to be up to local law enforcement to determine that charge. We always get a little nervous when dealing with the cruelty code since we need to ensure it never gets weakened. The other puzzle is that this bill gets introduced again and again but never moves.
HB 4275 Eliminating West Virginia Greyhound Breeding Development Fund to House Judiciary and then Finance Lead sponsor Kirby from/ Raleigh Co. The purpose of this bill is to eliminate the West Virginia Greyhound Breeding Development Fund, redirect all moneys from the West Virginia Greyhound Breeding Development Fund to the State Excess Lottery Revenue Fund, and to eliminate requirements that applicants for video lottery and racetrack table game licensees must hold a dog racing license. Would we love this to pass, YES!
HB 4337 Relating to racetrack casino decoupling to House Judiciary and then Finance Lead Sponsor C. Pritt / Kanawha The purpose of this bill is to clarify that a licensed racetrack casino must not maintain an active dog racing license in order to receive telecasts and accept wagers on dog and horse races, or to otherwise apply and qualify for a video lottery or racetrack table game licenses. This is called a decoupling bill which would allow the gambling but not require dog racing. It would end the $17 million subsidy which would mean the greyhound breeders would have to live on what they make, not on what WV gives them to exist. There are so many other good uses for this subsidy in our state, worthy ones!
HB 4600 Repeal domestic animal tax to House Finance Lead sponsor Foster/ Putnam Co. Not sure how we pay for animal control without the dog tax?