WV HB4452

Bill

WV HB4452

To remove Mortmain restrictions on religious organizations

Introduced
01/16/2026

In Committee
03/10/2026

Crossed Over
03/02/2026

Passed
03/13/2026

Dead

Introduced Session

2026 Regular Session

Bill Summary

A BILL to amend and reenact §35-1-8 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to removing "Mortmain" restrictions on religious organizations.

AI Summary

This bill, by repealing Section 35-1-8 of the Code of West Virginia, removes "Mortmain" restrictions that previously limited the amount of real estate religious organizations could own. Mortmain laws, historically, were designed to prevent religious institutions from accumulating excessive landholdings, but this legislation aims to eliminate those limitations for religious organizations in West Virginia.

Committee Categories

Budget and Finance, Government Affairs, Justice

Sponsors (4)

Rick Hillenbrand (R)*, Geno Chiarelli (R), Elias Coop-Gonzalez (R), Robbie Martin (R),

Last Action

Completed legislative action (on 03/13/2026)

Official Document

http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/Bills_history.cfm?input=4452&year=2026&sessiontype=RS&btype=bill

Version:

Document Type	Source Location
State Bill Page	http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/Bills_history.cfm?input=4452&year=2026&sessiontype=RS&btype=bill
hb4452 h fin amt adopted	http://www.wvlegislature.gov/legisdocs/chamber/2026/RS/com_amends/hb4452%20h%20fin%20amt%20adopted.htm
hb4452 h fin amt adopted adopted	http://www.wvlegislature.gov/legisdocs/chamber/2026/RS/com_amends/hb4452%20h%20fin%20amt%20adopted%20adopted.htm
BillText	http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/bills_text.cfm?billdoc=hb4452%20eng.htm&yr=2026&sesstype=RS&i=4452
hb4452 h finance am _1 adopted	http://www.wvlegislature.gov/legisdocs/chamber/2026/RS/com_amends/hb4452%20h%20finance%20am%20_1%20adopted.htm
hb4452 h fin amt	http://www.wvlegislature.gov/legisdocs/chamber/2026/RS/com_amends/hb4452%20h%20fin%20amt.htm
hb4452 h finance am _1	http://www.wvlegislature.gov/legisdocs/chamber/2026/RS/com_amends/hb4452%20h%20finance%20am%20_1.htm
Fiscal Note - Tax & Revenue Department, WV State	http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Fiscalnotes/FN(2)/fnsubmit_recordview1.cfm?RecordID=957368255
hb4452 hfa hillenbrand 2-16 _1 revised	http://www.wvlegislature.gov/legisdocs/chamber/2026/RS/floor_amends/hb4452%20hfa%20hillenbrand%202-16%20_1%20revised.htm
hb4452 hfa hillenbrand 2-15 _1	http://www.wvlegislature.gov/legisdocs/chamber/2026/RS/floor_amends/hb4452%20hfa%20hillenbrand%202-15%20_1.htm
BillText	http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/bills_text.cfm?billdoc=hb4452%20intr.htm&yr=2026&sesstype=RS&i=4452

Bill > HB4452

summary

Introduced Session

Bill Summary

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Sponsors (4)

Last Action

Official Document

bill text

bill summary

bill summary

bill summary