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Read. Follow. Verify.West Virginia Expands Secretary of State Investigative Powers Over Charities
Last action · February 9, 2026: To JudiciarySponsor: Robbie Morris
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What This Bill Proposed
West Virginia Senate Bill 854 grants the Secretary of State authority to administer oaths, issue subpoenas, enforce subpoenas through circuit courts, and request investigative assistance from the Attorney General when investigating charitable organizations or professional solicitors.
Charitable organizations and professional fund-raisers face new investigative measures, including subpoenas and compelled production of records during state inquiries into potential violations of the Solicitation of Charitable Funds Act.
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.
charitable organizations
Charitable organizations are subject to formal investigations, subpoenas, and record production requirements by the Secretary of State.
professional fund-raising counsel
Professional fund-raisers face potential subpoenas, sworn investigative questioning, and legal actions for violations of charitable solicitation laws.
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 new powers does the Secretary of State receive under this bill?
What role does the Attorney General play under the bill?
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 Senate committee.
Procedural history
4 actions- Feb 9, 2026SenateCommitteeTo Judiciary
- Feb 9, 2026SenateIntroducedIntroduced in Senate
- Feb 9, 2026SenateCommitteeTo Judiciary
- Feb 9, 2026SenateIntroducedFiled 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 60)
- Controversy20Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz15Current news / social attention level
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