The civic record
Read. Follow. Verify.West Virginia House Bill 5504 regulates and taxes low-proof spirit alcohol products
Last action · February 13, 2026: To House JudiciarySponsors: Wayne Clark and 3 others
Track this bill to get notified when it advances a stage. One tap to stop, anytime.
What This Bill Proposed
West Virginia House Bill 5504 establishes a comprehensive regulatory, distribution, and taxation framework for containing between 0.5% and 15.5% alcohol by volume in containers up to 25 fluid ounces. The measure imposes a tax of $1.25 per gallon on these products, aligns their sales and distribution rules with , and sets an effective date of 90 days from passage.
Distilleries, suppliers, and distributors face new monthly reporting mandates, tax obligations of $1.25 per gallon, and specific distribution rules that prohibit self-distribution while aligning sales practices with regulations.
- The West Virginia Legislature operates as the state's lawmaking body, convening annually to consider statutory revisions and budgetary measures. context
- Chapter 60 of the West Virginia Code governs the state's regulation of alcoholic liquors, state stores, and licensing frameworks. 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.
distilleries and suppliers
Distilleries and suppliers must pay a $1.25 per gallon tax, file monthly reports with the Tax Commissioner, and adhere to nonintoxicating beer distribution rules.
distributors
Distributors must submit monthly written reports and tax payments before the 16th day of each month covering preceding sales.
consumers 21 years of age or older
Consumers gain regulated retail access to low-proof spirit alcohol products through authorized channels.
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
What is classified as a low-proof spirit alcohol product under this bill?
Can manufacturers self-distribute these low-proof products?
When are monthly tax returns and payments due?
Are low-proof spirit alcohol products permitted to be sold in growlers?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
Follow the record
Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
This bill did not become law - Died at adjournment · in House committee.
Procedural history
4 actions- Feb 13, 2026HouseCommitteeTo House Judiciary
- Feb 13, 2026HouseIntroducedIntroduced in House
- Feb 13, 2026HouseCommitteeTo Judiciary
- Feb 13, 2026HouseIntroducedFiled 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.
Sponsors
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Creation of Dedicated Low-Proof Framework
The bill introduces a brand new article (Article 8B) to integrate low-proof spirit beverages into existing nonintoxicating beer distribution and taxation pathways.
Connected Entities
Sources
www.wvlegislature.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance20Lowered because this bill did not pass (its text scored 65)
- Controversy30Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz25Current news / social attention level
Publisher tools