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West VirginiaHB 52272026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Relating to Secretary of State annual reports, fees, and veteran-owned business logotypes

Sponsored By: Joe Funkhouser (Republican)

Signed by Governor

§59-1-2A

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.

Warnings required on business solicitations

Nongovernment mailers and ads that target businesses must use clear disclaimers. The heading and envelope must use 16‑point bold all‑caps text, and fee pages must state you can file directly with the Secretary for $25 annually or $50 biennially. If a solicitor breaks these rules, a harmed person can recover three times the amount solicited plus court costs and attorneys’ fees. Each violation can also be a misdemeanor with a fine up to $1,000 and up to one year in jail.

Business data price and online fees

The Secretary sells the full Business Organizations Database for $12,000. Monthly update files cost $1,000 per month. When you use the Secretary’s online services, the office may charge any per‑transaction service fee to you.

Stronger penalties for late business filings

Late filings face fixed late fees: for-profits pay $50 if annual and $100 if biennial; nonprofits pay $25 if annual and $50 if biennial. A rejected payment can trigger a bad‑check fee up to $5 plus bank charges. The Tax Commissioner may suspend a business registration if a filing or fee is over 30 days late (60 days for biennial filers). Before dissolution or revocation for nonpayment, the Secretary must send certified mail at least 30 days in advance. The Secretary can waive or reduce late fees when the delay was beyond the filer’s control. The first $25,000 of late fees go to the General Administrative Fees Account; any extra goes to the General Revenue Fund. The Secretary also reports new certificates and changes to the Tax Commissioner each month.

Fee waivers at startup events

The Secretary of State may waive new business registration fees at up to three entrepreneurship events or conferences in West Virginia. The waiver is optional and limited to no more than three events.

Help for veteran-owned businesses

Veteran‑owned firms that started on or after July 1, 2015, and active‑duty‑owned firms that started on or after July 1, 2021, do not pay the annual report fee for their first four years. They must still file on time and pay any other required fees. Beginning July 1, 2026, the Secretary creates an official veteran‑owned business logo, opens an application within 90 days, and posts instructions within 60 days after the logo is created. The logo cannot suggest a state endorsement. The application may include an optional donation to the Veterans’ Home Loan Mortgage Fund.

New business report fees and deadlines

Beginning July 1, 2026, corporations, LPs, and LLCs must file an annual or biennial report to keep doing business in West Virginia. The fee is $25 for each annual report or $50 for each biennial report, due by 11:59 PM on June 30. A business may switch to filing every two years only after five straight timely annual reports and remaining in good standing. Reports must list the principal office address, officers and directors, service of process contact, parent and subsidiary names, county and business class codes, and an email if available. The Secretary of State issues the forms and may write rules to carry out this law.

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Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Joe Funkhouser

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Scot C. Heckert

    Republican • House

  • Rick Hillenbrand

    Republican • House

  • Erica Moore

    Republican • House

  • Bill Ridenour

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 346 • No: 0

House vote • 3/10/2026

House concurred in Senate amendment and passed bill (Roll No. 382)

Yes: 93 • No: 0

House vote • 3/10/2026

House concurred in Senate effective date (Roll No. 383)

Yes: 93 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/9/2026

Effective July 1, 2026 (Roll No. 381)

Yes: 34 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/9/2026

Passed Senate with amended title (Roll No. 380)

Yes: 34 • No: 0

House vote • 2/26/2026

Passed House (Roll No. 208)

Yes: 92 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by Governor 4/1/2026

    4/1/2026House

  2. Approved by Governor 4/1/2026 - Senate Journal

    3/14/2026Senate

  3. Approved by Governor 4/1/2026 - 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. 382)

    3/10/2026House

  9. House concurred in Senate effective date (Roll No. 383)

    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 with amended title (Roll No. 380)

    3/9/2026Senate

  15. Effective July 1, 2026 (Roll No. 381)

    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 and title amendment

    3/4/2026Senate

  23. Introduced in Senate

    2/27/2026Senate

  24. To Judiciary

    2/27/2026Senate

  25. To Judiciary

    2/27/2026Senate

Bill Text

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