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HB 4069WEST VIRGINIASession 2026State Billdead

Did Not Advance

West Virginia Bill Proposes Repeal of Mandatory Motorcycle Helmet and Eye Protection Laws

Original title: To remove the helmet law in West Virginia.

Last action · January 14, 2026: To House FinanceSponsors: Kathie Hess Crouse and 2 others

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

Law

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What This Bill Proposed

House Bill 4069 repeals requirements for motorcycle and operators and passengers to wear protective helmets and shatter-resistant eye protection. The measure removes existing performance and safety standards for headgear and eyewear while maintaining rules on handlebars, seating, and mirrors.

Why it matters

Motorcycle and operators and passengers in West Virginia would no longer face legal penalties for riding without a protective helmet or eye protection if the legislation passes.

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

motorcycle operators

Directly affected

motorcycle passengers

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 safety equipment requirements does House Bill 4069 remove?

The bill removes the requirements for wearing a protective helmet and shatter-resistant eye protection for anyone operating or riding as a passenger on a motorcycle or .

Does the bill change rules regarding motorcycle handlebars or mirrors?

No, the bill retains the restrictions on handlebar height and the requirement for rearview mirrors.

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 14, 2026HouseCommittee
To House Finance
Jan 14, 2026HouseIntroduced
Introduced in House
Jan 14, 2026HouseCommittee
To Finance then Judiciary
Jan 14, 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

Kathie Hess Crouse, United States Department of Transportation, American National Standards Institute and 2 more

PersonKathie Hess Crouse“Delegate who introduced House Bill 4069”Map →

OrganizationUnited States Department of Transportation“Establishes Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards”Map →

OrganizationAmerican National Standards Institute“Sets performance specifications for protective gear”Map →

PersonLisa White“Delegate who co-sponsored House Bill 4069”Map →

PersonDave Foggin“Delegate who co-sponsored House-Bill 4069”Map →

Sources

Open source document

www.wvlegislature.gov

Analysis Score

0–100

Significance20
Lowered because this bill did not pass (its text scored 60)
Controversy85
Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
Entertainment10
Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
Buzz45
Current news / social attention level

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