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West VirginiaHB 56222026 Regular SessionHouse

Amendments to city charters.

Sponsored By: Geno Chiarelli (Republican)

Signed by Governor

§8-4-8§8-5-5

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 4 mixed.

Cities share election costs with cap

Municipalities must pay part of the county’s election administrative costs. A city’s share cannot be more than its share of registered voters in the county. To find the cap, multiply total county election costs by (city registered voters ÷ total county registered voters).

City elections move to state dates

Cities, towns, and villages must line up their election day and rules with state election dates by July 1, 2032. A city can pass a special conformity ordinance to change its election day and set transitional term lengths without a voter referendum, petition, or charter‑election. The ordinance must be read by title at two meetings at least one week apart and state it is a conformity ordinance. A one‑time transitional term for the next term after the next election is allowed to match the statewide primary or general election, but it cannot add more than 18 months and cannot extend any current officer’s term.

Simpler city charter changes by ordinance

The law lets a city council change its charter by ordinance. The full text must run as a Class II-0 legal ad, and a hearing must be at least 30 days after the first ad. If no one files objections, or they are withdrawn within 10 days after the hearing, the council may adopt the change with an effective date at least 10 days after the hearing. If objections remain, the council may drop the plan or send it to the next regular city election, or a special election with a two‑thirds vote. If voters reject it, the same change cannot be proposed under this method for one year. All approved changes must be certified to the Secretary of State and recorded by the county clerk.

Voters can set four-year local terms

The law lets cities elect officers to four‑year terms at the same election that approves a charter change creating four‑year terms. Ballots must say officers will serve four years if the change passes. Towns and villages can adopt four‑year terms by a majority vote on a ballot question at a regular municipal election. Those ballots must also state that officers will serve four years if voters approve.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Geno Chiarelli

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 125 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/12/2026

Passed Senate (Roll No. 513)

Yes: 34 • No: 0

House vote • 3/4/2026

Passed House (Roll No. 334)

Yes: 91 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by Governor 3/27/2026

    3/30/2026House

  2. To Governor 3/25/26

    3/25/2026House

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

    3/14/2026Senate

  4. Approved by Governor 3/27/2026 - House Journal

    3/14/2026House

  5. Approved by Governor 3/27/2026 - Senate Journal

    3/14/2026Senate

  6. House received Senate message

    3/13/2026House

  7. On 3rd reading

    3/12/2026Senate

  8. Read 3rd time

    3/12/2026Senate

  9. Passed Senate (Roll No. 513)

    3/12/2026Senate

  10. Communicated to House

    3/12/2026Senate

  11. Completed legislative action

    3/12/2026Senate

  12. On 2nd reading

    3/11/2026Senate

  13. Read 2nd time

    3/11/2026Senate

  14. Reported do pass

    3/10/2026Senate

  15. Immediate consideration

    3/10/2026Senate

  16. Read 1st time

    3/10/2026Senate

  17. Introduced in Senate

    3/5/2026Senate

  18. To Government Organization

    3/5/2026Senate

  19. To Government Organization

    3/5/2026Senate

  20. On 3rd reading, Special Calendar

    3/4/2026House

  21. Read 3rd time

    3/4/2026House

  22. Passed House (Roll No. 334)

    3/4/2026House

  23. Communicated to Senate

    3/4/2026House

  24. On 2nd reading, Special Calendar

    3/3/2026House

  25. Read 2nd time

    3/3/2026House

Bill Text

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