West Virginia Senate Bill SB 383

West Virginia 2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/15/26
• Refer: 1/15/26

Caption

Division of Natural Resources rule relating to deer hunting

Summary

SB 383 is a bill relating to a Division of Natural Resources rule governing deer hunting. Based on the caption and available legislative context, the measure appears to address administrative hunting regulations rather than creating a new program or broad policy change. Because the bill text was not available in the provided materials, the specific rule changes are not identifiable from the record here. The bill’s practical effect would be to amend, authorize, or otherwise affect state wildlife regulations administered by the Division of Natural Resources, likely impacting deer hunting seasons, bag limits, methods of take, licensing, or related enforcement provisions. Any changes would primarily affect hunters, landowners, wildlife managers, and conservation enforcement personnel, and could alter how deer hunting is regulated under West Virginia law.

Impact

SB 383 would affect the state’s wildlife regulatory framework by changing a Division of Natural Resources rule concerning deer hunting. If enacted, it would likely modify administrative rules or statutory authority tied to hunting management, enforcement, or season-setting, and would therefore influence the implementation of existing game and fish laws rather than creating a new standalone legal regime. The bill would most directly affect hunters and the Division of Natural Resources, with possible downstream effects on conservation policy and wildlife management practices.

Sentiment

No committee transcript or vote record was provided, so there is no direct evidence of support, opposition, or debate in the available materials. The bill’s caption suggests a routine natural resources regulation measure, which often receives technical rather than highly partisan consideration. On the record provided, sentiment cannot be determined beyond noting that the bill advanced to a reported committee substitute stage.

Contention

Because no discussion transcript or vote history is available, specific points of contention are not documented in the provided materials. In bills of this type, potential disagreements typically center on hunting access, season timing, wildlife population management, enforcement burden, and the balance between sportsmen’s interests and conservation concerns. However, none of those issues can be attributed to SB 383 from the supplied record alone.