West Virginia Senate Bill SB 199

West Virginia 2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/14/26
• Refer: 1/14/26

Caption

Providing waiver of fees for emergency responders disabled in line of duty for hunting, trapping, and fishing licenses

Summary

SB 199 would create a waiver of fees for hunting, trapping, and fishing licenses for emergency responders who become disabled in the line of duty. Based on the bill caption, the measure is aimed at recognizing service-related disability by allowing qualifying responders to obtain these outdoor recreation licenses without paying the usual fees. The bill appears to affect state licensing provisions administered under natural resources law, likely requiring the relevant agency to exempt eligible disabled emergency responders from standard license charges. In practical terms, it would reduce costs for a defined group of public safety personnel and may require agencies to verify eligibility, disability status, and line-of-duty causation before granting the waiver.

Impact

If enacted, SB 199 would amend West Virginia law governing hunting, trapping, and fishing license fees by adding a fee waiver for emergency responders disabled in the line of duty. The bill would affect the state agency responsible for issuing these licenses and would create a new class of fee-exempt applicants, potentially reducing revenue from license sales by a limited amount while expanding access for qualifying individuals.

Sentiment

The available context suggests the bill is generally favorable and likely noncontroversial, as it provides a benefit to emergency responders injured while serving the public. No committee debate or recorded votes were provided, so there is no evidence of opposition or divided sentiment in the materials supplied.

Contention

No specific points of contention are shown in the available record. Potential issues, if raised in later debate, could include how to define an eligible emergency responder, what documentation would be required to prove a line-of-duty disability, and whether the fee waiver should apply to all three license types equally. At present, however, the bill appears straightforward and supportive of disabled first responders.