Bill > SB953

This bill establishes a process for local religious organizations to disaffiliate from their parent denominations and retain their property, requiring a two-thirds vote of the membership present at a called meeting for approval. Upon a written request for disaffiliation, the parent denomination must provide a transparent accounting of financial contributions and property ownership within 60 days, distinguishing between funds from the parent and those raised locally. For real estate (Class A property), the local organization can retain it if over 50% of acquisition and improvement costs were locally funded, though they must reimburse the parent for any parent-funded investments, with the parent bearing the burden of proof for their contributions; if the parent fails to provide adequate proof or accounting, the local organization is presumed eligible and reimbursement is waived for unproven amounts. For personal property (Class B), ownership stays with the party that purchased or acquired it, again with the parent needing to prove ownership of disputed items. Intangible property (Class C) will be divided proportionally based on the sources of funds over the two years prior to disaffiliation, with the local organization retaining full ownership if all funds were local or if the parent fails to provide proof of contributions. The bill also includes a catch-all provision for property not clearly fitting these categories and states that its provisions are severable and will apply to disaffiliations occurring on or after October 1, 2026.

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http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/Bills_history.cfm?input=953&year=2026&sessiontype=RS&btype=bill