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West VirginiaSB 7932026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Relating to courthouse closures on certain days

Sponsored By: Jimmy Willis (Republican)

Signed by Governor

§2-2-1§2-2-2§7-3-2

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.

County workers can get Governor days off

If you work for a county, your county commission can adopt any Governor‑declared statewide day off for you too. If it does, you get the time off without using your annual leave. This applies only if your county commission votes to grant it.

Courthouses open weekdays; Saturdays optional

Courthouses and related offices are open to the public Monday through Friday during hours set by the county commission. Weekday closures are allowed only on a legal holiday, a weather or other emergency day, or a local day of significance. Facilities that run 24 hours are not subject to this weekday rule. A county may also choose to open on Saturdays and set Saturday hours by a recorded order.

Counties must build and maintain courts and jails

Each county must provide a courthouse, a jail, and required public offices at the county seat. Counties must keep these buildings in good repair and provide heat, light, furniture, record books, janitor service, and most stationery and postage. Public records from the county surveyor must be kept by the county commission clerk. New courthouses, jails, and offices must use fire‑resistant materials; offices must be fireproof or have fireproof vaults or safes, and jails must be secure. These duties support public access and safety but add building and operating costs to county budgets.

Court holidays and deadlines clarified

The law sets the list of West Virginia legal holidays, including election days. Even-year general election day is called Susan B. Anthony Day. Courts may treat any Governor‑designated statewide day off like a legal holiday. If a listed holiday falls on a weekend, the holiday shifts to Friday or Monday, except for election days and Governor‑proclaimed holidays. Deadlines exclude the first day and move to the next business day when the last day falls on a weekend, holiday, weather or emergency day, or a local‑significance day. A weather or emergency day is declared by the chief justice or the county’s chief judge. A day of local significance needs a county proclamation and a matching court order issued more than 90 days ahead, and both must be sent to the Supreme Court’s administrative office. For court cases, the Supreme Court of Appeals sets the timing rules.

Flexible jail siting and regional centers

Counties with more than 200,000 people may place a jail at the county seat or elsewhere in the county. Any county may partner with other counties to build, equip, lease, or rent a regional correctional center at a location they all agree on. When a regional jail becomes available, a county that runs a jail is no longer required to keep it unless the county decides it is still needed. Instead, a county may operate a holding facility that meets state standards.

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Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Jimmy Willis

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Mike Woelfel

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 125 • No: 0

House vote • 3/13/2026

Passed House (Roll No. 564)

Yes: 92 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/17/2026

Passed Senate (Roll No. 105)

Yes: 33 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by Governor 4/1/2026

    4/1/2026Senate

  2. To Governor 3/18/2026

    3/18/2026Senate

  3. House Message received

    3/14/2026Senate

  4. To Governor 3/18/2026 - Senate Journal

    3/14/2026Senate

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

    3/14/2026Senate

  6. Approved by Governor 4/1/2026 - House Journal

    3/14/2026House

  7. On 3rd reading, Special Calendar

    3/13/2026House

  8. Read 3rd time

    3/13/2026House

  9. Passed House (Roll No. 564)

    3/13/2026House

  10. Communicated to Senate

    3/13/2026House

  11. Completed legislative action

    3/13/2026House

  12. On 2nd reading, Special Calendar

    3/12/2026House

  13. Read 2nd time

    3/12/2026House

  14. Markup Discussion

    3/11/2026House

  15. Do pass

    3/11/2026House

  16. Immediate consideration

    3/11/2026House

  17. Read 1st time

    3/11/2026House

  18. House received Senate message

    2/18/2026House

  19. Introduced in House

    2/18/2026House

  20. To Judiciary

    2/18/2026House

  21. To House Judiciary

    2/18/2026House

  22. On 3rd reading

    2/17/2026Senate

  23. Read 3rd time

    2/17/2026Senate

  24. Passed Senate (Roll No. 105)

    2/17/2026Senate

  25. Ordered to House

    2/17/2026Senate

Bill Text

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