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SB 547WEST VIRGINIASession 2026State Billdead
Did Not Advance

West Virginia Bill SB 547 creates the Truth in Giving Act, requiring thrift operators to disclose whether donations benefit charities or for-profit businesses

Original title: Creating Truth in Giving Act

Last action · January 20, 2026: To JudiciarySponsors: Jason Barrett and 1 other

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

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What This Bill Proposed

Senate Bill 547 requires s in West Virginia to explicitly disclose whether donated goods benefit a non-profit charity or a for-profit business, through prominent signage on es, mobile units, and retail checkout locations. Thrift operators that are not charities must display a notice stating that donations support a for-profit business. The bill authorizes the Secretary of State to investigate violations and establishes misdemeanor criminal penalties and civil enforcement actions for willful non-compliance.

Background
  • State Senator Barrett introduced Senate Bill 547 during the 2026 regular legislative session in West Virginia. context
  • The Internal Revenue Service determines 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status for qualifying non-profit organizations under federal law. 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

Thrift operators

Thrift operators must display specific ownership and charity-status disclosures on drop boxes, mobile units, retail locations, and customer receipts, and are subject to investigations and penalties for non-compliance.

Directly affected

Donors of consumer goods

Donors receive mandatory disclosures regarding whether their donated goods benefit a non-profit charity or a for-profit enterprise.

Directly affected

Charitable organizations

Charitable organizations registered under state code have their identifying information disclosed to donors and customers at thrift collection and sale points.

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 information must a for-profit thrift operator display on a donation drop box?
For-profit operators must display the name, business address, and telephone number of the entity that owns the or provides pickup, along with the required statement: 'THIS IS NOT A CHARITY. DONATIONS MADE HERE SUPPORT A FOR-PROFIT BUSINESS.'
Who is responsible for investigating violations of the Truth in Giving Act?
The Secretary of State may investigate violations upon their own motion or upon complaint of any person using prescribed forms.
What are the penalties for a willful violation of the disclosure requirements?
A first offense is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of $100 to $500, up to six months in jail, or both. Second and subsequent offenses carry fines of $500 to $1,000, up to one year in jail, or both.

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 Senate committee.

Procedural history

4 actions
  1. Jan 20, 2026SenateCommittee
    To Judiciary
  2. Jan 20, 2026SenateIntroduced
    Introduced in Senate
  3. Jan 20, 2026SenateCommittee
    To Judiciary then Finance
  4. Jan 20, 2026SenateIntroduced
    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

Jason BarrettSenateRepublicanPrimary sponsor
Patricia RuckerSenateRepublicanSponsor

Discoveries

1 pattern noticed across the record

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

policy shift95% confidence

Introduction of Mandatory For-Profit Disclosures

The bill establishes explicit statutory requirements distinguishing for-profit donation bins from charitable ones, backed by criminal misdemeanor penalties.

Secretary of StateAttorney General

Connected Entities

Patricia Rucker, Internal Revenue Service, Attorney General and 2 more
PersonPatricia Rucker“Cosponsor of Senate Bill 547”Map →
OrganizationInternal Revenue Service“Determines 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status”Map →
OrganizationAttorney General“Authorized to bring injunction actions in circuit court for violations”Map →
PersonJason Barrett“Senator who introduced Senate Bill 547”Map →
OrganizationSecretary of State“Authorized to register charities, investigate violations, and promulgate rules”Map →

Sources

Open source document

www.wvlegislature.gov

Analysis Score

0–100
  • Significance20
    Lowered because this bill did not pass (its text scored 60)
  • Controversy40
    Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
  • Entertainment10
    Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
  • Buzz25
    Current news / social attention level

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