Land and Wildlife
How we treat our own property says a lot about us as individuals. How our government makes land use decisions and how it regulates what industry and developers are permitted to do speaks volumes about what kind of state we are and can be.
Preserving farmland and forests, as well as parks and recreation areas, is important for our lives now and for future generation. It is also critical for the habitat of birds, wildlife and fish.
Our public officials frequently make choices on our behalf that will shape the world we and all other creatures live in. By making our voices heard on land use issues, we plan to help them make the right choices.
Our Land and Wildlife Platform
We support hunting, fishing, rafting and other outdoor recreation activities that are compatible with wildlife habitat and create no lasting environmental damage.
We oppose commercial logging in state parks and forests.
We oppose mountaintop removal mining.
We support the right of local governments and municipalities to regulate consumer packaging within their jurisdictions, including plastic bags, straws, styrofoam containers, and the like.
2026 Land and Wildlife Bills
SB 118
Establishment of Forest Carbon Registry
SB 118 requires landowners and forest carbon developers to register each carbon credit agreement and establishes civil penalties for noncompliance.
CWV Position: Opposes
Status: Introduced January 14, 2026; referred to the Committee on Energy, Industry, and Mining; and then to the Committee on Finance.
SB 487
Comprehensive Statewide Trails
SB 487 would add a completely new chapter to the West Virginia Code (Chapter 33A) establishing a statewide framework for trails, access, and stewardship.
Sponsors: Mike Oliverio
CWV Position: Supports
Status: Introduced on 1/19/26; referred to Natural Resources Committee on 1/19/26.
SB 770
Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Act
SB 770 seeks to create the “West Virginia Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Act,” establish a new commission, and set up a program for off-highway vehicle (OHV) recreation in the state.
CWV Position: Opposes
Status: Introduced on 2/5/26; referred to Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on 2/5/26.
SB 777
Outdoor Americans with Disabilities Act
SB 777 proposes creation of the “Outdoor West Virginians with Disabilities Act.” The bill would amend the West Virginia Code by adding a new article to prioritize accessibility on state public lands for individuals with disabilities and update how motor vehicle use and travel management plans are developed and implemented.
CWV Position: Opposes
Status: Introduced on 2/5/26; referred to Natural Resources Committee on 2/5/26.
HB 4018
Relating to Flood Resiliency Disbursements
HB 4018 amends current law to add state agencies and flood-prone communities, even if not low-income, to list of possible recipients, and remove requirement that nature-based flood resiliency measures be prioritized.
Sponsors: Roger Hanshaw, Sean Hornbuckle
CWV Position: Supports
Status: Introduced January 15, 2026; referred to the Committee on Government Organization then Finance.
HB 4120
Energy Site Reclamation Waiver
HB 4120 streamlines the process of transferring former surface mine sites into productive sites for new energy generation projects arid to optimize the flat land for energy projects that is otherwise in short supply in the state of West Virginia.
Sponsors: Bob Fehrenbacher
CWV Position:
HB 4120 primarily addresses administrative flexibility in reclamation requirements without clearly strengthening or weakening environmental protections, and its impacts depend heavily on how waivers are applied in practice.
Status: Introduced January 14, 2026; referred to the Committee on Energy and Public Works.
PASSED
HB 4126
Distribution of Revenues Among State Park Endowment and Operation Funds
HB 4126 redirects 50% of revenues from oil and gas leases under the Ohio River to the State Park Operational Fund from the State Park Endowment Fund.
CWV Position:
HB 4126 primarily addresses internal funding distribution and administrative matters related to state park endowments, without clear or direct impacts on conservation outcomes, environmental protections, or resource management policy.
Status: Introduced January 14, 2026; referred to the Committee on Finance. Passed House on 2/26/26; introduced to Senate and referred to Finance Committee on 2/27/26. Passed Senate on 3/9/26; Senate requests House to concur. Passed House on 3/10/26; approved by Governor on 3/14/26.
HB 4509
Restoring Local Control of Microgrids and Data Centers
HB 4509 restores local control and legal jurisdiction by County Commissions and municipalities of siting, construction and operation of microgrids and data centers.
Sponsors: Evan Hansen, Shawn Fluharty
CWV Position: Supports
Status: Introduced January 19, 2026; referred to the Committee on Energy and Public Works then the Judiciary
HB 4632
Right to Keep Bees
HB 4632 amends existing state agricultural law to modify beekeeping regulations — expanding the right to keep bees, restricting how the Commissioner of Agriculture may inspect apiaries, and clarifying when quarantines related to bee pests may be imposed.
Sponsors: Chris Anders
CWV Position: Supports
Status: Introduced on 1/21/26; referred to House Government Organization Committee on 1/21/26.
HB 5414
New Oil & Gas Well Plugging Assurance
HB 5414 is designed to prevent new oil and gas wells — especially horizontal wells — from becoming orphaned and left unplugged, which can harm landowners, property values, groundwater, and the environment.
Sponsors: Evan Hansen, Mickey Petitto
CWV Position: Supports
Status: Introduced on 2/10/26; referred to House Energy and Public Works Committee on 2/10/26.
HB 5415
New and Existing Orphan Well Prevention Act
HB 5415 aims to prevent oil and gas wells from becoming “orphaned” — meaning wells left without a responsible operator or bonding to ensure they are properly plugged and reclaimed — and to require financial assurances so that wells are eventually plugged and don’t pose environmental or property risks.
Sponsors: Evan Hansen, Mickey Petitto
CWV Position: Supports
Status: Introduced on 2/10/26; referred to House Energy and Public Works Committee on 2/10/26.
HB 5439
Pollinator Planting Program
HB 5439 is designed to create a new statutory program focused on pollinators.
CWV Position: Supports
Status: Introduced on 2/11/26; referred to House Government Organization Committee on 2/11/26.
HB 5474
Gateway to the Gorge Outdoor Recreation Industry Act
HB 5474 would create a new tax incentive program to promote growth in the outdoor recreation economy along the corridor between Charleston and the New River Gorge. Its stated goals include economic diversification, job creation, and attracting remote workers and businesses tied to outdoor recreation.
Sponsors: Gary Howell
CWV Position: Supports
Status: Introduced on 2/12/26; referred to House Government Organization Committee on 2/12/26.
