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HB 5136WEST VIRGINIASession 2026State Billdead

Did Not Advance

West Virginia authorizes certain zero-emission vehicle manufacturers to operate as direct-sale new car dealers

Original title: Authorizing certain motor vehicle manufactures to operate as new car dealers

Last action · February 3, 2026: To House Government OrganizationSponsor: Kayla Young

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

Law

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Public stanceCommunity reactions are separate from the official record and reporting.

What This Bill Proposed

West Virginia House Bill 5136 permits qualifying vehicle manufacturers to operate as licensed new car dealers directly in the state, bypassing the traditional franchise dealer requirement. To qualify, a manufacturer must have built zero-emissions vehicles since at least 2008, never sold its brand through a franchised dealer in the state, and remain independent of traditional franchisors.

Why it matters

Changes market entry rules for specific automotive companies, allowing direct-to-consumer sales that were previously restricted by state franchise laws.

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

Motor vehicle manufacturers

Qualifying zero-emissions vehicle manufacturers gain authorization to operate as licensed new car dealers directly within the state.

Directly affected

New car dealers

Existing franchise rules are altered by permitting specific independent zero-emissions manufacturers to bypass traditional dealership structures.

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

Which manufacturers are eligible to operate as new car dealers under this bill?

Manufacturers that have produced zero-emissions vehicles since at least 2008, exclusively manufacture or assemble zero-emissions vehicles, have never sold their vehicles in West Virginia through a franchised dealer, and have no controlling ties to a traditional franchisor.

Does this bill allow all car manufacturers to sell directly to consumers?

No, it applies exclusively to qualifying manufacturers meeting specific criteria regarding zero-emissions vehicle production history and independence from traditional franchisors.

What else do you want to know?

News Coverage

No news coverage found yet. Articles are indexed twice daily.

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Where This Stands

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

Procedural history

4 actions

Feb 3, 2026HouseCommittee
To House Government Organization
Feb 3, 2026HouseIntroduced
Introduced in House
Feb 3, 2026HouseCommittee
To Government Organization
Feb 3, 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

House Government Organization, Kayla Young

OrganizationHouse Government Organization“Committee to which the bill was referred”Map →

PersonKayla Young“Delegate who introduced House Bill 5136”Map →

Sources

Open source document

www.wvlegislature.gov

Analysis Score

0–100

Significance20
Lowered because this bill did not pass (its text scored 45)
Controversy50
Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
Entertainment10
Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
Buzz25
Current news / social attention level

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