West VirginiaSB 9442026 Regular SessionSenate

Expanding categories of eligible federal law-enforcement officers authorized to enforce state laws

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Same legal shields for federal officers

When acting under this law, federal officers have the same powers and legal exceptions as state or local officers. They keep their federal employment status and are not state or local employees. Claims for harms go through the Federal Tort Claims Act. They also have the same immunities from liability as state or local officers.

When federal agents can enforce state crimes

The law lets certain full-time, armed federal officers enforce West Virginia criminal laws in limited cases. They may act when a state or local agency head asks in writing (no writing is needed in a life‑threatening emergency), when a state or local officer asks during exigent circumstances, or when a felony happens in the federal officer’s presence or has just occurred. They cannot enforce state or local traffic or parking laws. Eligible officers include many agencies such as FBI, DEA, Marshals, Secret Service, ATF, IRS criminal agents, Postal Inspectors, VA Police, OIG agents, Air Marshals, Fish and Wildlife, Diplomatic Security, Coast Guard agents, CBP, Defense special agents, Federal Protective Service, Bureau of Prisons, ICE, and military law‑enforcement personnel.

Limits on federal officers' investigations

Federal officers acting under this law cannot start their own state‑law investigations. They may only act to preserve evidence or testimony right after a qualifying felony event. Park rangers and Forest Service officers may run independent investigations on their federal lands under the special park and forest rules. They cannot start investigations unrelated to activities on those federal lands.

Park and Forest officers get state powers

National Park Service commissioned rangers may arrest, search, and seize for any West Virginia offense on National Park System lands. United States Forest Service law‑enforcement officers and special agents have the same powers on national forests and other USFS‑managed lands while on duty. These powers apply only on those federal lands.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Ryan Weld
Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

Vince Deeds
Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 121 • No: 4

House vote • 3/14/2026

Passed House (Roll No. 609)

Yes: 87 • No: 4

Senate vote • 2/24/2026

Passed Senate (Roll No. 218)

Yes: 34 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

Approved by Governor 3/19/2026
3/19/2026Senate
To Governor 3/18/2026
3/18/2026Senate
On 3rd reading, Special Calendar
3/14/2026House
Read 3rd time
3/14/2026House
Passed House (Roll No. 609)
3/14/2026House
Communicated to Senate
3/14/2026House
Completed legislative action
3/14/2026House
House Message received
3/14/2026Senate
To Governor 3/18/2026 - Senate Journal
3/14/2026Senate
Approved by Governor 3/19/2026 - Senate Journal
3/14/2026Senate
Approved by Governor 3/19/2026 - House Journal
3/14/2026House
On 3rd reading, Special Calendar
3/13/2026House
On 2nd reading, Special Calendar
3/12/2026House
Read 2nd time
3/12/2026House
On 1st reading, Special Calendar
3/11/2026House
Read 1st time
3/11/2026House
Do pass
3/10/2026House
Markup Discussion
3/6/2026House
House received Senate message
2/25/2026House
Introduced in House
2/25/2026House
To Judiciary
2/25/2026House
To House Judiciary
2/25/2026House
On 3rd reading
2/24/2026Senate
Read 3rd time
2/24/2026Senate
Passed Senate (Roll No. 218)
2/24/2026Senate

Bill Text

Enrolled
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Introduced Version
HTML PDF

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