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West VirginiaHB 44842026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

To expand each county commission’s ability to sell or lease property.

Sponsored By: Wayne Clark (Republican)

Signed by Governor

§7-3-3

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 3 mixed.

Counties can lease property up to 50 years

County commissions may lease property for up to 50 years for fair and adequate payment. A commission resolution is required. Before approval, the county must hold a public hearing after a Class II legal ad with the date, time, place, and purpose.

Sealed-bid sales need higher minimum price

If a county uses competitive bidding, the minimum price is 1.5 times the last tax assessed value or a state-licensed appraisal. The county must use sealed bids, publish a Class II ad, set fair bidder rules, open bids in public, and keep records.

Direct sales allowed at 75% of value

A county may sell real estate directly to a private buyer if the price is at least 75% of appraised value. The appraisal can be by the county assessor or a state-licensed appraiser. Before considering offers, the county must run a Class II legal ad once a week for two weeks with the property, method, minimum price, and the meeting time and place. After approval, the county must post all formal offers with each buyer’s name and amount on its website for at least 30 days.

Low-cost transfers to public and nonprofit groups

Counties may transfer property for public use to certain public and nonprofit groups without an auction. They may set a price below market, but not below $1. If real estate is later proposed to be sold by the group, it goes back to the county unless the deed waives that right. Covered groups include the U.S., the State and local governments (including school boards), volunteer fire and ambulance services, community centers that existed when the 2020 changes took effect, nonprofit senior centers, and state- or local-created authorities.

More ways counties can sell property

County commissions can sell property by on-site auction, online auction, competitive bids, or private sale. Before most sales, the county must run a Class II legal ad with the time, terms, how and where the sale happens, and a short description. A single item worth under $10,000 is exempt from the auction and detailed notice rules.

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Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Wayne Clark

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Bill Flanigan

    Republican • House

  • Joe Funkhouser

    Republican • House

  • Rick Hillenbrand

    Republican • House

  • Chuck Horst

    Republican • House

  • Ian T. Masters

    Republican • House

  • George Miller

    Republican • House

  • Chris Phillips

    Republican • House

  • David Elliott Pritt

    Republican • House

  • Bill Ridenour

    Republican • House

  • Carl "Bill" Roop

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 439 • No: 1

House vote • 3/10/2026

Effective from passage (Roll No. 379)

Yes: 93 • No: 0

House vote • 3/10/2026

House concurred in Senate amendment and passed bill (Roll No. 378)

Yes: 93 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/9/2026

Effective from passage (Roll No. 375)

Yes: 34 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/9/2026

Passed Senate (Roll No. 374)

Yes: 34 • No: 0

House vote • 2/4/2026

Effective from passage (Roll No. 48)

Yes: 93 • No: 0

House vote • 2/4/2026

Passed House (Roll No. 47)

Yes: 92 • No: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by Governor 3/19/2026

    3/19/2026House

  2. Approved by Governor 3/19/2026 - Senate Journal

    3/14/2026Senate

  3. Approved by Governor 3/19/2026 - House Journal

    3/14/2026House

  4. House Message received

    3/11/2026Senate

  5. To Governor 3/11/2026

    3/11/2026House

  6. To Governor 3/11/2026 - Senate Journal

    3/11/2026Senate

  7. House received Senate message

    3/10/2026House

  8. House concurred in Senate amendment and passed bill (Roll No. 378)

    3/10/2026House

  9. Effective from passage (Roll No. 379)

    3/10/2026House

  10. Communicated to Senate

    3/10/2026House

  11. Completed legislative action

    3/10/2026House

  12. On 3rd reading

    3/9/2026Senate

  13. Read 3rd time

    3/9/2026Senate

  14. Passed Senate (Roll No. 374)

    3/9/2026Senate

  15. Effective from passage (Roll No. 375)

    3/9/2026Senate

  16. Senate requests House to concur

    3/9/2026Senate

  17. On 2nd reading

    3/6/2026Senate

  18. Read 2nd time

    3/6/2026Senate

  19. Committee amendment adopted (Voice vote)

    3/6/2026Senate

  20. On 1st reading

    3/5/2026Senate

  21. Read 1st time

    3/5/2026Senate

  22. Reported do pass, with amendment

    3/4/2026Senate

  23. Introduced in Senate

    2/5/2026Senate

  24. To Government Organization

    2/5/2026Senate

  25. To Government Organization

    2/5/2026Senate

Bill Text

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