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West VirginiaHB 47992026 Regular SessionHouse

To establish the cold case task force for the State of West Virginia

Sponsored By: Jonathan Pinson (Republican)

Signed by Governor

§15-10-8

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Director runs new cold case unit

The State Police Superintendent selects a Task Force Director from State Police ranks and names the other members. Retired State Police can serve as volunteers or part‑time staff. All appointments depend on available funds. The Director supervises assigned officers, can ask any West Virginia law‑enforcement agency for help, may include an officer from the original investigating agency if that agency’s leader agrees, coordinates with federal and state partners, and sets day‑to‑day policies and procedures.

Funding and data for cold cases

The law creates a Cold Case Task Force Fund in the state Treasury, run by the State Police Superintendent. It can hold gifts, grants, bequests, transfers, interest, and legislative appropriations. Money may be used only for task force operations and usually needs a legislative appropriation and other budget rules. For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027, the fund may spend collections without a separate legislative appropriation. The West Virginia Fusion Center must fully cooperate and share information from the state’s cold case database.

State cold case task force created

The law creates a statewide cold case task force inside the West Virginia State Police. An executive board runs it and includes the State Police Superintendent and the presidents of the state chiefs of police and sheriffs’ associations. Board meetings are not subject to the state open meetings law. The task force investigates and helps prosecute cold cases as defined in state law. It cannot take over active cases that other agencies are already investigating. The board also recommends procedures and how many officers should be assigned.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Jonathan Pinson

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Eric Brooks

    Republican • House

  • Flanigan

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Keith Marple

    Republican • House

  • Ian T. Masters

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 227 • No: 0

House vote • 3/13/2026

House concurred in Senate amendment and passed bill (Roll No. 499)

Yes: 97 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/10/2026

Passed Senate with amended title (Roll No. 403)

Yes: 34 • No: 0

House vote • 2/24/2026

Passed House (Roll No. 173)

Yes: 96 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Chapter 93, Acts, Regular Session, 2026

    6/29/2026House

  2. Approved by Governor 4/1/2026

    4/1/2026House

  3. To Governor 3/25/2026

    3/25/2026House

  4. House Message received

    3/14/2026Senate

  5. To Governor 3/25/2026 - Senate Journal

    3/14/2026Senate

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

    3/14/2026Senate

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

    3/14/2026House

  8. House received Senate message

    3/13/2026House

  9. House concurred in Senate amendment and passed bill (Roll No. 499)

    3/13/2026House

  10. Communicated to Senate

    3/13/2026House

  11. Completed legislative action

    3/13/2026House

  12. On 3rd reading

    3/10/2026Senate

  13. Read 3rd time

    3/10/2026Senate

  14. Passed Senate with amended title (Roll No. 403)

    3/10/2026Senate

  15. Senate requests House to concur

    3/10/2026Senate

  16. On 2nd reading

    3/9/2026Senate

  17. Read 2nd time

    3/9/2026Senate

  18. Committee amendment adopted (Voice vote)

    3/9/2026Senate

  19. On 1st reading

    3/6/2026Senate

  20. Read 1st time

    3/6/2026Senate

  21. Reported do pass, with amendment and title amendment

    3/5/2026Senate

  22. Introduced in Senate

    2/25/2026Senate

  23. To Judiciary

    2/25/2026Senate

  24. To Judiciary

    2/25/2026Senate

  25. On 3rd reading, Special Calendar

    2/24/2026House

Bill Text

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