# West Virginia HB 4265: Relating to authorizing the Department of Agriculture to promulgate a legislative rule relating to registration forms and tags for registration, taxation, and control of dogs.

West Virginia HB 4265, Relating to authorizing the Department of Agriculture to promulgate a legislative rule relating to registration forms and tags for registration, taxation, and control of dogs., is a 2026 Regular Session House bill sponsored by Doug Smith (Republican); status signed, last action 2026-06-29 (Chapter 220, Acts, Regular Session, 2026) (as of 2026-11-04).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/WV-HB4265-2026rs
- As of: 2026-11-04
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: West Virginia HB 4265
- State: West Virginia
- Session: 2026 Regular Session
- Title: Relating to authorizing the Department of Agriculture to promulgate a legislative rule relating to registration forms and tags for registration, taxation, and control of dogs.
- Status: signed
- Chamber: House
- Introduced: 2026-01-14
- Last action: 2026-06-29, Chapter 220, Acts, Regular Session, 2026
- Sponsor: Doug Smith (Republican)
- Cosponsors: 0
- Subjects: §64-9-1, §64-9-2, §64-9-3, §64-9-4, §64-9-5, §64-9-6, §64-9-7, §64-9-9, §64-9-10, §64-9-11, §64-9-12, §64-9-13, §64-9-14, §64-9-15, §64-9-16, §64-9-17, §64-9-18, §64-9-19, §64-9-20, §64-9-21, §64-9-22, §64-9-23, §64-9-24
- Touches household money: no
- Roll calls: 6 (438 yes, 8 no in all)
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 27

## Summary

No summary available.

## Bill overview: provisions PRIA read

- More vaccines available at pharmacies: benefit, medium. Pharmacists, pharmacy interns, and pharmacy technicians can give immunizations under Board rules. This makes it easier to get shots at local pharmacies. The law authorizes the rule but does not set service prices or dates.
- Stronger pharmacy inspections for safety: benefit, medium. The Board of Pharmacy sets inspection standards and procedures for pharmacies. This strengthens oversight and safety for patients statewide. The law authorizes the rule and does not list funding or dates.
- Shared table program for seniors: benefit, low. Senior Services sets up a shared table initiative for seniors. Seniors and partner organizations can take part in this food sharing program. The law authorizes the rule but does not set funding or dates.
- Election equipment loan and grant rules: benefit, low. The Secretary of State sets rules for loans and grants to buy voting equipment, systems, software, services, and upgrades. Election officials can apply under this framework. The law authorizes the rule but does not set funding amounts or dates.
- Contractor licensing requirements and standards: cost, medium. The Contractor Licensing Board sets licensing standards and qualifications for contractors. Contractors must meet these rules and may pay fees. This adds costs and paperwork for small contractors.
- New dog registration and tags: cost, low. The Department of Agriculture sets dog registration forms and tags. Dog owners must follow these steps and keep tags on their dogs. The Department can charge fees. The law does not list fee amounts or dates.
- Higher fees for social workers: cost, low. The Board of Social Work sets a fee schedule for licenses and applications. Social workers and applicants must pay these fees when they renew or apply.
- Attorney General dispute rule ends 2036: cost, low. The Attorney General’s rule for third-party dispute mechanisms now has an end date. The rule terminates and has no effect after August 1, 2036. After that date, those protections and requirements end unless a new rule replaces them.
- Some consumer rules expire in 2036: cost, low. Attorney General rules on fair treatment of crime victims and witnesses, unfair home improvement acts, damaged goods sales, and preneed burial contracts now end on August 1, 2036. After that date, these rules have no force unless renewed. This reduces formal protections after 2036.
- New limits for hemp and kratom: mixed, medium. The Department of Agriculture changes product limits and labels for certain hemp and kratom products. Percentage limits are replaced with milligrams per dose, such as 10 milligrams per dose. Rules also clarify non‑natural and fully synthetic ingredients. Makers and sellers may need to reformulate o…
- Rules for markets, dealers, agritourism: mixed, medium. The Department of Agriculture sets operating rules for public markets, including vendor and safety standards. Livestock dealers must meet licensing qualifications and pay license fees. Agritourism operators must follow safety and operations standards. These changes may add costs and paperwork while…
- Standards for apples and dairy: mixed, medium. The Department of Agriculture sets grades and standards for apples. It updates Grade A pasteurized milk rules for processing, sanitation, labeling, and inspections. It also defines when some dairy farms may use exempt processing rules. These standards can raise compliance costs and change who quali…
- Rules for customer provided conduit: mixed, medium. The Public Service Commission sets rules for using conduit that a customer provides. It governs how utilities and others may occupy that space. This affects broadband and utility projects. The law authorizes the rule but does not set dates.
- Cosmetology schools and training rules: mixed, low. The Board sets how cosmetology and barber schools must operate. It creates standards for barber apprenticeships and sets training and practice rules for waxing specialists. These steps can add training and compliance costs but give clearer paths into the trades.
- Counselor and psychologist licensing updates: mixed, low. Licensed professional counselors must follow renewal cycles and continuing education rules. The psychologists board updates who can be licensed as a psychologist or school psychologist. These changes add training and documentation steps but can make licensing pathways clearer.
- Licensing changes for counselors and instructors: mixed, low. Counselors and marriage and family therapists covered by state law 30-1-27 follow only that code’s licensure rules. The Board changes training, exams, and certification for barber and cosmetology instructors. The optometry interview evaluation rule is repealed. Some steps get simpler; others may re…
- New rules and fees for optometrists: mixed, low. The Board of Optometry now enforces updated rules. It sets licensing steps, continuing education, and a fee schedule. It creates an oral pharmaceutical certificate and explains how out-of-state optometrists can get licensed by reciprocity. These changes add training and fees but can make pathways a…
- Osteopathic licensing and emergency permits: mixed, low. The Board of Osteopathic Medicine updates licensing procedures and rules for osteopathic physician assistants. During a declared State of Emergency or Preparedness, the Board can issue temporary permits to qualified practitioners. The rules guide applications and supervision, and the emergency perm…
- Pharmacy licensing and mail order rules: mixed, low. The Board of Pharmacy updates licensure and practice rules for pharmacists and pharmacies. It regulates mail-order and nonresident pharmacies that serve West Virginians. It sets registration rules for pharmacy technicians and allows pharmacist recovery networks. These rules add compliance steps and…
- Rehab therapy and trainer rules: mixed, low. Boards set updated licensing and practice rules for physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, and athletic trainers. Occupational therapists must meet continuing competence and education standards. These rules may add training time and paperwork while clarifying professional standards.
- Rules for funeral service firms: mixed, low. The Board of Funeral Service Examiners sets licensing, apprenticeship, and funeral establishment standards. These rules clarify duties for funeral directors, embalmers, and businesses, and may change business requirements and costs.
- Standards for imaging technologists: mixed, low. The Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy Board sets governance, ethics, and continuing education standards. Licensed technologists must meet training and reporting rules. The ethics rule defines conduct the Board can enforce. These steps add oversight and some course costs while aiming to protect…
- Updated rules for physicians and PAs: mixed, low. The Board of Medicine sets licensure, practice, and discipline rules for physicians and physician assistants. It also sets continuing education you must complete to keep a license. These standards clarify duties but add time and compliance costs.
- Real estate licensing rule trimmed: mixed, low. The Real Estate Commission removes one subsection from its licensing and conduct rule. This changes compliance rules for brokers, associate brokers, salespersons, and brokerages. The law authorizes the amended rule but does not list fees or dates.
- Architect and landscape architect fees: mixed, low. The Boards set registration procedures and fees for architects and landscape architects. Architects may see changes in registration and renewal costs. Landscape architect applicants can apply for a waiver of initial licensing fees if they meet board rules. Overall, there are new or updated fees wit…
- New permit rules for pharmacies: mixed, low. The Board of Pharmacy sets permit requirements for pharmacies. Owners and applicants must meet the stated permitting and compliance steps. The law authorizes the rule but does not list permit fees or dates.
- Purchasing exemptions for municipal pensions: mixed, low. The Municipal Pensions Oversight Board sets an exempt purchasing rule. Pension plans can use stated exemptions when buying goods and services. This mainly affects plan administrators and vendors, not household benefits.

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Doug Smith (Republican), House

## Roll call votes

| Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2026-03-14 | House | Effective from passage (Roll No. 690) | pass | 96 | 0 |   |
| 2026-03-14 | House | House concurred in Senate amendment and passed bill (Roll No. 689) | pass | 94 | 2 |   |
| 2026-03-11 | Senate | Passed Senate (Roll No. 456) | pass | 34 | 0 |   |
| 2026-03-11 | Senate | Effective from passage (Roll No. 457) | pass | 34 | 0 |   |
| 2026-02-26 | House | Effective from passage (Roll No. 200) | pass | 91 | 2 |   |
| 2026-02-26 | House | Passed House (Roll No. 199) | pass | 89 | 4 |   |

## Actions (44)

- 2026-06-29: Chapter 220, Acts, Regular Session, 2026 (House)
- 2026-04-01: Approved by Governor 4/1/2026 (House)
- 2026-03-18: To Governor 3/18/2026 (House)
- 2026-03-14: House received Senate message (House)
- 2026-03-14: House concurred in Senate amendment and passed bill (Roll No. 689) (House)
- 2026-03-14: Effective from passage (Roll No. 690) (House)
- 2026-03-14: Communicated to Senate (House)
- 2026-03-14: Completed legislative action (House)
- 2026-03-14: House Message received (Senate)
- 2026-03-14: To Governor 3/18/2026 - Senate Journal (Senate)
- 2026-03-14: Approved by Governor 4/1/2026 - Senate Journal (Senate)
- 2026-03-14: Approved by Governor 4/1/2026 - House Journal (House)
- 2026-03-11: On 3rd reading (Senate)
- 2026-03-11: Read 3rd time (Senate)
- 2026-03-11: Passed Senate (Roll No. 456) (Senate)
- 2026-03-11: Effective from passage (Roll No. 457) (Senate)
- 2026-03-11: Senate requests House to concur (Senate)
- 2026-03-10: Read 2nd time (Senate)
- 2026-03-10: Committee amendment adopted (Voice vote) (Senate)
- 2026-03-09: On 2nd reading (Senate)
- 2026-03-09: Laid over on 2nd reading 3/9/2026 (Senate)
- 2026-03-06: Reported do pass, with amendment (Senate)
- 2026-03-06: Immediate consideration (Senate)
- 2026-03-06: Read 1st time (Senate)
- 2026-02-27: Introduced in Senate (Senate)
- 2026-02-27: To Judiciary (Senate)
- 2026-02-27: To Judiciary (Senate)
- 2026-02-26: On 3rd reading, Special Calendar (House)
- 2026-02-26: Read 3rd time (House)
- 2026-02-26: Passed House (Roll No. 199) (House)
- 2026-02-26: Effective from passage (Roll No. 200) (House)
- 2026-02-26: Communicated to Senate (House)
- 2026-02-25: On 2nd reading, Special Calendar (House)
- 2026-02-25: Read 2nd time (House)
- 2026-02-24: On 1st reading, Special Calendar (House)
- 2026-02-24: Read 1st time (House)
- 2026-02-23: Markup Discussion (House)
- 2026-02-23: By substitute, do pass (House)
- 2026-01-30: Do pass, but first to Judiciary (House)
- 2026-01-30: To House Judiciary (House)
- 2026-01-14: Filed for introduction (House)
- 2026-01-14: To Government Organization then Judiciary (House)
- 2026-01-14: Introduced in House (House)
- 2026-01-14: To House Government Organization (House)

## Bill text

- Committee Substitute: [HTML](https://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Text_HTML/2026_SESSIONS/RS/bills/hb4265 sub1.htm), [PDF](https://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Text_HTML/2026_SESSIONS/RS/bills/hb4265 sub1.pdf)
- Engrossed: [HTML](https://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Text_HTML/2026_SESSIONS/RS/bills/hb4265 sub1 eng.htm), [PDF](https://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Text_HTML/2026_SESSIONS/RS/bills/hb4265 sub1 eng.pdf)
- Enrolled: [HTML](https://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Text_HTML/2026_SESSIONS/RS/bills/hb4265 sub1 enr.htm), [PDF](https://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Text_HTML/2026_SESSIONS/RS/bills/hb4265 sub1 enr.pdf)
- Introduced Version: [HTML](https://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Text_HTML/2026_SESSIONS/RS/bills/hb4265 intr.htm), [PDF](https://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Text_HTML/2026_SESSIONS/RS/bills/hb4265 intr.pdf)

## Related bills

- HB 4191: Relating to providing child care generally (became law)
- HB 4138: Relating to persons convicted of a crime (signed)
- HB 4106: Allowing constitutional carry for 18- to 20-year-olds (signed)
- HB 5694: Supplemental appropriation to Department of Education, fund 0313. (signed)
- HB 5353: To bring virtual currency kiosks within the purview of money transmission licensure and create disclosure requirements and daily transaction limitations for ne… (signed)
- HB 4452: To remove Mortmain restrictions on religious organizations (signed)

## Sources
- [Committee Substitute (HTML)](https://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Text_HTML/2026_SESSIONS/RS/bills/hb4265 sub1.htm)
- [Committee Substitute (PDF)](https://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Text_HTML/2026_SESSIONS/RS/bills/hb4265 sub1.pdf)
- [Engrossed (HTML)](https://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Text_HTML/2026_SESSIONS/RS/bills/hb4265 sub1 eng.htm)
- [Engrossed (PDF)](https://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Text_HTML/2026_SESSIONS/RS/bills/hb4265 sub1 eng.pdf)
- [Enrolled (HTML)](https://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Text_HTML/2026_SESSIONS/RS/bills/hb4265 sub1 enr.htm)
- [Enrolled (PDF)](https://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Text_HTML/2026_SESSIONS/RS/bills/hb4265 sub1 enr.pdf)
- [Introduced Version (HTML)](https://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Text_HTML/2026_SESSIONS/RS/bills/hb4265 intr.htm)
- [Introduced Version (PDF)](https://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Text_HTML/2026_SESSIONS/RS/bills/hb4265 intr.pdf)

## Related
- [HB 4191: Relating to providing child care generally](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/WV-HB4191-2026rs)
- [HB 4138: Relating to persons convicted of a crime](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/WV-HB4138-2026rs)
- [HB 4106: Allowing constitutional carry for 18- to 20-year-olds](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/WV-HB4106-2026rs)
- [HB 5694: Supplemental appropriation to Department of Education, fund 0313.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/WV-HB5694-2026rs)
- [HB 5353: To bring virtual currency kiosks within the purview of money transmission licen…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/WV-HB5353-2026rs)
- [HB 4452: To remove Mortmain restrictions on religious organizations](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/WV-HB4452-2026rs)
- [West Virginia bills](https://policyrisk.com/states/west-virginia/bills)
- [West Virginia state hub](https://policyrisk.com/states/west-virginia)
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Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/WV-HB4265-2026rs (as of 2026-11-04).