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HB 4324WEST VIRGINIASession 2026State Billdead

Did Not Advance

West Virginia authorizes Division of Forestry managed timberland certification rule

Original title: Relating to authorizing the Division of Forestry to promulgate a legislative rule relating to rules for the certification of managed timberland.

Last action · January 14, 2026: To House Energy and Public WorksSponsor: Doug Smith

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

Law

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What This Bill Proposed

West Virginia authorizes the Division of Forestry to officially adopt and its modified concerning the certification of managed timberland.

Why it matters

Enables the Division of Forestry to implement specific certification standards and guidelines for managed timberlands across the state following review by the -Making Review Committee.

Background

The West Virginia Legislature routinely passes bills in each regular session to authorize state agencies to promulgate legislative rules that have been reviewed and approved through the administrative rulemaking process. 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 Forestry

Gains legislative authorization to formally promulgate and implement the managed timberland certification rule.

Directly affected

Timberland owners

Subject to the certification standards and rules established by the Division of Forestry.

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 agency is granted rule-making authority under this bill?

The Division of Forestry is authorized to the rule.

What is the subject of the authorized rule?

The rule relates to the certification of managed timberland.

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 Energy and Public Works
Jan 14, 2026HouseIntroduced
Introduced in House
Jan 14, 2026HouseCommittee
To Energy and Public Works
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

State Register, Division of Forestry, Legislative Rule-Making Review Committee

OrganizationState Register“Where the legislative rule was filed on July 25, 2025, and refiled on December 1”Map →

OrganizationDivision of Forestry“Authorized to promulgate the legislative rule for managed timberland certificati”Map →

OrganizationLegislative Rule-Making Review Committee“Committee whose objections were met by the Division of Forestry when modifying t”Map →

Sources

Open source document

www.wvlegislature.gov

Analysis Score

0–100

Significance15
Lowered because this bill did not pass (its text scored 15)
Controversy5
Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
Entertainment2
Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
Buzz10
Current news / social attention level

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