House Resolution 23 authorizes the West Virginia House of Delegates to hold additional interim committee meetings during calendar year 2026 beyond those already scheduled by the Joint Committee on Government and Finance. The resolution states that these meetings are intended to help House members frame issues, investigate matters, establish facts, and develop policy in advance of the next legislative session.
The resolution gives the Speaker of the House authority to set the dates, times, and locations of the interim meetings, with public notice required. It also provides that delegates attending these House interim meetings will be compensated for their legislative services and reimbursed for expenses under West Virginia Code §4-2A-1 et seq.
Impact
HR23 does not amend substantive policy statutes, but it affects legislative operations by creating an additional mechanism for House-led interim meetings in 2026. It expands the House’s ability to conduct off-session work, and it confirms that participating delegates may receive pay and expense reimbursement under existing law governing legislative compensation and travel expenses.
Sentiment
No committee transcripts or recorded votes were provided, and the bill history shows no final action in the available context. Based on the text alone, the resolution appears procedural and administrative rather than controversial, reflecting a routine interest in allowing the House to prepare for the next session through interim study and planning. The absence of recorded opposition or debate suggests neutral to favorable treatment in the available materials.
Contention
The main potential point of contention is the Speaker’s discretion to call interim meetings and determine their timing and location, which concentrates scheduling authority in House leadership. Another possible issue is the use of public funds for delegate pay and expenses, though the resolution ties that compensation to existing statutory authority. No specific objections, amendments, or opposing viewpoints appear in the provided record.
Declaring a vacancy in the Ninety-First Delegate District of the West Virginia House of Delegates due to the failure to take the Oath of Office by the Delegate Elect as required by Article VI, Section 16 of the Constitution of West Virginia
Expressing the postition of the House of Delegates of West Virginia that unborn children are legal and constitutional persons entitled to the equal protection of the laws
Authorizing the printing and distribution of Acts of the Legislature, Journals of the House of Delegates, the publication of a Legislative Manual, and authorizing payment of travel and other expenses of the House.
Requiring the Governor appoint a new member of the House of Delegates from the same political party from which the elected member vacating the seat was elected