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HB 4686WEST VIRGINIASession 2026State Billdead

Did Not Advance

West Virginia HB 4686 eliminates hunting license requirements for hunting on private property

Original title: Providing that a hunting license is only required for public land

Last action · January 21, 2026: To House Government OrganizationSponsors: Chris Anders and 4 others

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

Law

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What This Bill Proposed

West Virginia House Bill 4686 allows any person to hunt on private property during open season without a hunting license, provided they have permission from the landowner. The measure amends existing wildlife resources statutes under §20-2-28.

Why it matters

The bill changes legal requirements for hunters by removing license fees and permit obligations specifically for private land use, altering who must purchase state hunting credentials.

Background

House Bill 4686 was introduced in the West Virginia Legislature during the 2026 regular session and referred to the Committee on Government Organization. context

Who It Would Have Affected

Groups the bill's text would have affected, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

Hunters in West Virginia

Directly affected

Private landowners

Landowners must provide permission for individuals seeking to hunt on their private property without a license.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a hunting license to hunt on private land under this bill?

No, under the proposed changes, any person may hunt on private property during the open season without a hunting license as long as they have permission from the landowner.

Are landowners still exempt from needing a license on their own property?

Yes, bona fide resident landowners, their resident children, parents, or resident tenants may continue to hunt, trap, or fish on their own land without a license during open season, provided the land is not a wildlife refuge.

What else do you want to know?

News Coverage

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Where This Stands

This bill did not become law - Died at adjournment · in House committee.

Procedural history

4 actions

Jan 21, 2026HouseCommittee
To House Government Organization
Jan 21, 2026HouseIntroduced
Introduced in House
Jan 21, 2026HouseCommittee
To Government Organization
Jan 21, 2026HouseIntroduced
Filed for introduction

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

View official text →

Lobbying Activity

No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.

Full breakdown

Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.

Connected Entities

Division of Motor Vehicles, Veterans Administration, West Virginia and 3 more

OrganizationDivision of Motor Vehicles“Issues driver's licenses and nondriver identification cards used for senior exem”Map →

OrganizationVeterans Administration“Certifies total permanent service-connected disabilities for veterans”Map →

locationWest Virginia“Jurisdiction where the bill is introduced”Map →

locationOhio River“Border river with specific reciprocal fishing and hunting provisions”Map →

locationOhio“State sharing river borders with West Virginia”Map →

OrganizationDivision of Health“Director certifies developmental disability alongside a physician”Map →

Sources

Open source document

www.wvlegislature.gov

Analysis Score

0–100

Significance20
Lowered because this bill did not pass (its text scored 50)
Controversy40
Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
Entertainment5
Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
Buzz25
Current news / social attention level

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