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HB 4489WEST VIRGINIASession 2026State Billdead
Did Not Advance

West Virginia Bill Authorizes DMV to Issue Certified Birth, Death, Marriage, and Divorce Records Beginning July 2027

Original title: Authorizing the DMV to issue certain vital records in the custody of the state registrar

Last action · February 3, 2026: To House FinanceSponsors: Gary Howell and 4 others

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓
Introduced
Committee
Floor Vote
Passed
Law

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What This Bill Proposed

Official description

Authorizing the DMV to issue certain vital records in the custody of the state registrar

Background
  • House Bill 4489 was introduced during the 2026 Regular Session of the West Virginia Legislature by Delegate G. Howell and referred to the House Energy and Public Works then Finance committees. context

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

Division of Motor Vehicles

The DMV is granted new authority to issue certified vital records, becomes subject to State Registrar rules, must collect and remit specific fees, and is required to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding.

Directly affected

State Registrar

The State Registrar retains sole legal custody of vital records, establishes issuance and eligibility rules, receives monthly cost transmissions, and oversees DMV issuance compliance.

Directly affected

Department of Health

The Cabinet Secretary must execute a Memorandum of Understanding with the DMV commissioner and help implement the issuance program.

Directly affected

State residents requesting vital records

Residents gain an additional location option at DMV facilities to obtain certified copies of birth, death, marriage, and divorce records under specific fee and eligibility rules.

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 I obtain a birth, death, marriage, or divorce record at the DMV?
The DMV is authorized to issue these records beginning July 1, 2027.
Can the DMV issue sealed or adoption-related records?
No. The DMV is prohibited from issuing sealed records, adoption-related records, confidential amendments, or other records restricted by law or State Registrar rule.

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

7 actions
  1. Feb 3, 2026HouseCommittee
    To House Finance
  2. Feb 3, 2026House
    By substitute, do pass, but first to Finance
  3. Jan 27, 2026House
    Markup Discussion
  4. Jan 19, 2026HouseCommittee
    To House Energy and Public Works
  5. Jan 19, 2026HouseIntroduced
    Introduced in House
  6. Jan 19, 2026HouseCommittee
    To Energy and Public Works then Finance
Show 1 earlier action
  1. Jan 19, 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.

Sponsors

Gary HowellHouse · District 87RepublicanPrimary sponsor
Bill BellHouse · District 8RepublicanSponsor
Dean JeffriesHouse · District 61RepublicanSponsor
George StreetHouse · District 83RepublicanSponsor
Kayla YoungHouse · District 56DemocraticSponsor

Discoveries

1 pattern noticed across the record

Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.

policy shift95% confidence

Decentralization of Vital Records Issuance

The legislation shifts vital record issuance authority from exclusively health department registrars to include DMV driver licensing facilities, creating a noncustodial issuance model.

Division of Motor VehiclesState Registrar

Connected Entities

Gary Howell, Division of Motor Vehicles, Bill Bell and 6 more
PersonGary Howell“Lead sponsor of House Bill 4489.”Map →
OrganizationDivision of Motor Vehicles“Authorized to issue certain vital records beginning July 1, 2027.”Map →
PersonBill Bell“Cosponsor of House Bill 4489.”Map →
PersonKayla Young“Cosponsor of House Bill 4489.”Map →
PersonDean Jeffries“Cosponsor of House Bill 4489.”Map →
OrganizationDepartment of Health“Cabinet Secretary must enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the DMV com”Map →
OrganizationState Registrar“Maintains sole legal custody of all vital records and sets rules for issuance.”Map →
PersonGeorge Street“Cosponsor of House Bill 4489.”Map →
OrganizationState Auditor“Responsible for auditing issuance activities under the act.”Map →

Sources

Open source document

www.wvlegislature.gov

Analysis Score

0–100
  • Significance20
    Lowered because this bill did not pass (its text scored 65)
  • Controversy10
    Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
  • Entertainment5
    Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
  • Buzz25
    Current news / social attention level

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