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Read. Follow. Verify.West Virginia Bill 5662 extends license-free hunting and fishing rights on private land to landowner children and grandchildren regardless of residency
Last action · February 17, 2026: To House Government OrganizationSponsor: Jeff Campbell
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What This Bill Proposed
House Bill 5662 allows resident and nonresident children and grandchildren of West Virginia landowners to hunt and fish on their family's private land without a license or permit, provided they produce a valid photo identification card issued by the West Virginia State Police.
Family members of landowners who live outside West Virginia gain the legal ability to hunt and fish on ancestral or family property without purchasing state licenses, provided they carry official photographic identification.
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.
Landowners
Their resident and nonresident children and grandchildren gain the legal right to hunt and fish on their private land without purchasing a license.
Resident and Nonresident Children and Grandchildren of Landowners
They are newly permitted to hunt and fish on family-owned private land without securing a state license or permit, provided they carry valid photo identification.
Key Facts
- Resident and nonresident children and grandchildren of landowners may hunt and fish on their own land without a permit or license.
- Individuals utilizing the landowner exemption must produce a valid photo identification card provided from the West Virginia State Police.
- Hunting and fishing activities on private land under this exemption must still comply with open seasons, laws, and rules.
- Exempt lands must not be designated as a wildlife refuge or preserve.
Show all 5 facts
- The legislation amends §20-2-27 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do out-of-state grandchildren of a West Virginia landowner need a hunting license to hunt on family property?
What identification must landowner children or grandchildren show when hunting or fishing under this exemption?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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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 17, 2026HouseCommitteeTo House Government Organization
- Feb 17, 2026HouseIntroducedIntroduced in House
- Feb 17, 2026HouseCommitteeTo Government Organization
- Feb 17, 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
Connected Entities
Sources
www.wvlegislature.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance20Lowered because this bill did not pass (its text scored 40)
- Controversy15Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz10Current news / social attention level
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