Plain English Breakdown
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HB4535 • 2026
Provide certain classes of property protections from creditor collections
Provide certain classes of property protections from creditor collections
Passed Legislature
This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.
Bill History
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2026-01-19
H
To House Judiciary
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2026-01-19
H
Introduced in House
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2026-01-19
H
To Judiciary
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2026-01-19
H
Filed for introduction
Official Summary Text
Provide certain classes of property protections from creditor collections
Current Bill Text
Read the full stored bill text
HB 4535 Text skip navigation SENATE PRESIDENT SENATORS COMMITTEES VIDEO/AUDIO DISTRICT MAPS SENATE CLERK SENATE RULES HOUSE SPEAKER DELEGATES COMMITTEES VIDEO/AUDIO DISTRICT MAPS HOUSE CLERK HOUSE RULES HOUSE STAFF JOINT INTERIM COMMITTEES LEGISLATIVE ADMINISTRATOR LEGISLATIVE SERVICES DIVISION PUBLIC INFORMATION LEGISLATIVE AUTOMATED SYSTEMS DIVISION LEGISLATIVE AUDITOR'S OFFICE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION & RESEARCH DIVISION POST AUDIT DIVISION BUDGET DIVISION REGULATORY AND FISCAL AFFAIRS DIVISION CLAIMS COMMISSION CRIME VICTIMS RULE-MAKING REVIEW SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS JUDICIAL COMP. COMMISSION JOINT RULES STAFF INFO BILL STATUS BILL STATUS BILL TRACKING STATE LAW WEST VIRGINIA CODE ACTS OF THE LEGISLATURE CODE OF 1931 WV CONSTITUTION US CONSTITUTION REPORTS AGENCY REPORTS AGENCY GRANT AWARDS PERFORMANCE EVALUATIONS POST AUDITS EDUCATIONAL CITIZEN’S GUIDE INTERNSHIP PROGRAM PAGE PROGRAM PUBLICATIONS PHOTO GALLERY CAPITOL HISTORY HOW A BILL BECOMES LAW CONTACT SENATE ROSTER HOUSE ROSTER PUBLIC INFO. NEWS RELEASES HELPFUL LINKS Introduced Version House Bill 4535 History | Email Key: Green = existing Code. Red = new code to be enacted WEST VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE 2026 REGULAR SESSION Introduced House Bill 4535 By Delegates G. Howell, Sheedy, Jeffries, and Willis [Introduced January 19, 2026; referred to the Committee on the Judiciary] A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §46A-2-141, relating to exempting certain assets from collections by creditors. Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia: ARTICLE 2. CONSUMER CREDIT PROTECTION. §46A-2-141. Exempting certain classes of property from collections. (a) The provisions of this section apply to permanent residents of the State of West Virginia. (b) Notwithstanding the provisions of this article, the following classes of property are assets not subject to collection, judgment, or garnishment for default of any consumer credit or installment obligation: (1) Head of household wages up to the federal or state minimum wages, applied at a full time rate of 40 hours per week, 52 weeks per year. Wages above this minimum threshold are subject to garnishment under this article, (2) Annuities or life insurance proceeds paid to the debtor including any applicable cash surrender value, (3) The first $5,000 of assessed value of a homestead that is used and occupied by the owner thereof exclusively for residential purposes, (4) Tax advantage retirement accounts, including Roth IRA, IRA, and 401k, (5) Disability or death benefit income, (6) Prepaid college funding accounts, and (7) Social security income. NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to provide certain classes of assets exempt from collection, judgment, or garnishment for default of any consumer credit or installment obligation. Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from a heading or the present law and underscoring indicates new language that would be added. Bill Status | Bill Tracking | Legacy WV Code | Bulletin Board | District Maps | Senate Roster | House Roster | Live | Blog | Jobs | Links | Home This Web site is maintained by the West Virginia Legislature's Office of Reference & Information. | Terms of Use | Webmaster | © 2026 West Virginia Legislature ** Print On Demand Name: Email: Phone: