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West VirginiaHB 28362025 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Relating to wild animal rehabilitation permits

Sponsored By: Matthew Rohrbach (Republican)

Signed by Governor

§20-2D-1§20-2D-2§20-2D-3§20-2D-4§20-2D-5§20-2D-6§20-2D-7§20-2D-8§20-2D-9

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Clear rules for rescuing injured wildlife

People can capture orphaned, sick, or injured wildlife and take it directly to a permitted rehabilitator or West Virginia-licensed veterinarian. They must first confirm acceptance, avoid unnecessary delay, and provide care before transport only as a permitted rehabilitator directs. Recovered native wildlife without permanent impairments must return to the wild, preferably where found. Release on private land requires the owner's consent; release on city, county, or state land requires a government administrator's consent.

Humane care rules for wildlife rehabilitators

Rehabilitators and listed assistants must limit animal contact to needed care, without taming wildlife, keeping pets, or public exhibition. Receipt of federally threatened or endangered wildlife must be reported to the director immediately. When a consulting veterinarian says an animal cannot survive release, it must be humanely euthanized under veterinary direction, transferred to the director or designee, or kept for education with director approval. Euthanasia must follow professional humane standards; threatened or endangered animals also require the director's written approval. Dead wildlife must be buried or incinerated, except migratory-bird carcasses handled under federal permit rules.

New permits and limits for wildlife rehabilitators

West Virginia creates a wildlife rehabilitation program run by its natural resources director, effective 90 days after passage. Applicants must be state residents age 18 or older, complete training, pass an exam, and meet facility standards. Past convictions or guilty pleas involving wildlife, animal welfare, or animal cruelty bar applicants. A West Virginia-licensed veterinarian must agree to help and recommend the applicant; veterinarian applicants can instead show their active license. Listed facility assistants must be at least 18 and trained. Federal migratory-bird permits remain valid for bird rehabilitation, and state-licensed veterinarians can provide emergency care. The director can restrict species by location for disease, overpopulation, or other management limits, and cap local permits to protect wildlife or manage permitting. The director can adopt emergency and regular rules and set application, renewal, and other program fees; the law specifies no amounts.

Wildlife facilities face transfer and disease limits

Permit holders cannot sell or barter wildlife or parts; transfers are limited to the director, a designee, or another permitted facility. They cannot accept wildlife from outside West Virginia or transport wildlife across state lines. Only actively West Virginia-licensed veterinarians can charge for rehabilitation or practice veterinary medicine. Permit authority cannot be delegated, though listed assistants can help with care and feeding onsite under direct supervision. The director or a designee can inspect facilities at any time. To protect people, livestock, poultry, and native wildlife, the director can order testing, quarantine, or destruction of animals exposed to significant diseases or parasites.

Wildlife permit holders face reporting and penalties

Each permit lasts one calendar year from issue, cannot be transferred, and covers one facility at one location. Holders must report unexplained wildlife disease, deaths, or escapes to the director within 24 hours. The director can revoke all or part of a permit for violations or to protect the public or animals in care. Except in emergencies, holders must receive written details at least 14 days before revocation takes effect. A conviction for violating the law is a misdemeanor carrying a $500 to $1,000 fine, 10 to 30 days in jail, or both. Courts cannot suspend the fine.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Matthew Rohrbach

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Michael Amos

    Republican • House

  • Jordan Bridges

    Republican • House

  • Ryan Browning

    Republican • House

  • Geno Chiarelli

    Republican • House

  • Mark Dean

    Republican • House

  • Joe Funkhouser

    Republican • House

  • Josh Holstein

    Republican • House

  • Michael Hornby

    Republican • House

  • Jonathan Pinson

    Republican • House

  • Pritt

    Affiliation unavailable

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 120 • No: 6

Senate vote • 4/11/2025

Passed Senate (Roll No. 481)

Yes: 31 • No: 3

House vote • 3/28/2025

Passed House (Roll No. 236)

Yes: 89 • No: 3

Actions Timeline

  1. Chapter 190, Acts, Regular Session, 2025

    7/31/2025House

  2. Approved by Governor 4/28/2025

    4/28/2025House

  3. To Governor 4/22/2025

    4/22/2025House

  4. To Governor 4/22/2025 - House Journal

    4/12/2025House

  5. To Governor 4/22/2025 - Senate Journal

    4/12/2025Senate

  6. Approved by Governor 4/28/2025 - House Journal

    4/12/2025House

  7. Approved by Governor 4/28/2025 - Senate Journal

    4/12/2025Senate

  8. On 3rd reading

    4/11/2025Senate

  9. Read 3rd time

    4/11/2025Senate

  10. Passed Senate (Roll No. 481)

    4/11/2025Senate

  11. Communicated to House

    4/11/2025Senate

  12. Completed legislative action

    4/11/2025Senate

  13. On 2nd reading

    4/10/2025Senate

  14. Read 2nd time

    4/10/2025Senate

  15. Reported do pass

    4/9/2025Senate

  16. Immediate consideration

    4/9/2025Senate

  17. Read 1st time

    4/9/2025Senate

  18. Reported do pass, but first to Finance

    4/3/2025Senate

  19. To Finance

    4/3/2025Senate

  20. Introduced in Senate

    3/31/2025Senate

  21. To Natural Resources then Finance

    3/31/2025Senate

  22. To Natural Resources

    3/31/2025Senate

  23. On 3rd reading, Special Calendar

    3/28/2025House

  24. Read 3rd time

    3/28/2025House

  25. Passed House (Roll No. 236)

    3/28/2025House

Bill Text

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