Plain English Breakdown
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HB5006 • 2026
Relating to clarifying secondary sources are not the law and public policy of West Virginia in certain instances
Relating to clarifying secondary sources are not the law and public policy of West Virginia in certain instances
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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2026-01-30
H
To House Judiciary
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2026-01-30
H
Introduced in House
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2026-01-30
H
To Judiciary
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2026-01-30
H
Filed for introduction
Official Summary Text
Relating to clarifying secondary sources are not the law and public policy of West Virginia in certain instances
Current Bill Text
Read the full stored bill text
HB 5006 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 5006 History | Email Key: Green = existing Code. Red = new code to be enacted WEST VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE 2026 REGULAR SESSION Introduced House Bill 5006 By Delegates Funkhouser, Linville, and Ridenour [Introduced January 30, 2026; referred to the Committee on the Judiciary] A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding a new article, designated §2- 4-1 and §2-4-2, relating to clarifying secondary sources are not the law and public policy of West Virginia in certain instances; and permitting the use of certified questions on issues of first impression in certain circumstances. Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia: ARTICLE 4. Statutes. §2-4-1. Secondary sources not controlling . A secondary source, including a legal treatise, scholarly publication, textbook, or other explanatory text, does not constitute the law or public policy of this state and is only persuasive authority to the extent its adoption would create, eliminate, expand, or restrict a cause of action, right, or remedy, or to the extent it is inconsistent with, or in conflict with, or otherwise not addressed by, West Virginia law. §2-4-2. Certified question to Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia. On a legal issue of first impression regarding the creation, elimination, expansion, or restriction of a cause of action, right, or remedy, the circuit court may certify its question of law to the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia. NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to clarify that secondary sources are not the law and public policy of West Virginia in certain instances; and permitting the use of certified questions on issues of first impression in certain circumstances. 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: