West Virginia House Bill HB4494

West Virginia 2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/19/26
• Refer: 1/19/26
• Refer: 1/20/26

Caption

Providing an exemption for a non-resident landowner, their spouse and their children from the requirement of purchasing a non-resident hunting hicense while hunting on their land in this state.

Summary

House Bill 4494 would create a new exemption in West Virginia’s wildlife laws for certain non-resident landowners. Under the bill, a non-resident who owns land in West Virginia, along with the landowner’s spouse and children living with them, could hunt on that property without first buying a non-resident hunting license. The exemption would apply only while hunting on the owner’s own land in the state. The bill also includes a reciprocity condition: the exemption would be available only if the non-resident landowner’s home state gives West Virginia residents the same treatment on property they own there. The bill specifically excludes grandchildren from the exemption. In effect, the measure would add a new section to Chapter 20, Article 2 of the West Virginia Code governing wildlife resources and hunting licenses.

Impact

HB4494 would amend West Virginia’s wildlife code by adding a new section, §20-2-42aa, creating a narrow hunting-license exemption for non-resident landowners and certain immediate family members. It would reduce licensing requirements for those individuals when hunting on land they own in West Virginia, while leaving the general non-resident hunting license system in place for everyone else. The bill would also introduce a reciprocity-based condition tied to the laws of the landowner’s home state, potentially affecting how the exemption is administered and whether it is available to residents of particular states.

Sentiment

There is limited recorded legislative discussion or voting history available for HB4494, so no clear committee or floor sentiment can be inferred from transcripts or votes. Based on the bill’s sponsorship and straightforward purpose, the measure appears to be presented as a targeted property-rights and reciprocity proposal rather than a broad change to hunting policy. The absence of recorded opposition or support in the provided history means the overall sentiment cannot be characterized beyond the bill’s stated intent.

Contention

The main points of potential contention are the preferential treatment for non-resident landowners and the reciprocity requirement. Supporters would likely view the bill as a fairness measure for property owners who pay taxes and manage land in West Virginia, while opponents could argue it creates an exception that benefits out-of-state owners over other hunters. The exclusion of grandchildren, and the condition that the home state must extend a similar exemption to West Virginia residents, may also raise questions about administrative complexity and unequal treatment among family members and nonresident property owners.