West Virginia Bill Extends Fire Service Fee Payment Deadline to 180 Days

Original title: Relating to Volunteer Fire Departments

Last action · February 6, 2026: To House Agriculture, Commerce, and TourismSponsors: Dana Ferrell and 7 others

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

Law

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What This Bill Proposed

House Bill 5029 extends the deadline for property owners and responsible parties to pay charges levied for fire prevention and emergency services from 75 days to 180 days.

Why it matters

Extends the grace period for settling firefighting and rescue service bills before legal collection action can be initiated, affecting residents billed for department responses.

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

Property owners and responsible parties

Individuals and entities responsible for firefighting or rescue service fees receive an extended timeframe to make payments or arrange payment schedules.

Directly affected

Volunteer fire companies and paid fire departments

Departments face a longer waiting period before initiating court action to recover unpaid fees, while retaining the right to sue after 90 days if no payment schedule is set.

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

When can a fire department take me to court for unpaid fees?

A fire department or company may proceed in court to recover fees if payment has not been received within 90 days from the date of response and no payment schedule has been established.

What else do you want to know?

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Where This Stands

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

Procedural history

5 actions

Feb 6, 2026HouseCommittee
To House Agriculture, Commerce, and Tourism
Feb 2, 2026HouseCommittee
To House Government Organization
Feb 2, 2026HouseIntroduced
Introduced in House
Feb 2, 2026HouseCommittee
To Government Organization
Feb 2, 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.

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