Plain English Breakdown
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HB5174 • 2026
Legalize use of a 4" pan to pan for gold in the state
Legalize use of a 4" pan to pan for gold in the state
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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2026-02-06
H
To House Agriculture, Commerce, and Tourism
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2026-02-04
H
To House Government Organization
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2026-02-04
H
Introduced in House
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2026-02-04
H
To Government Organization
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2026-02-04
H
Filed for introduction
Official Summary Text
Legalize use of a 4" pan to pan for gold in the state
Current Bill Text
Read the full stored bill text
HB 5174 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 5174 History | Email Key: Green = existing Code. Red = new code to be enacted WEST VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE 2026 REGULAR SESSION Introduced House Bill 5174 By Delegates Eldridge, Gearheart, Leavitt, Parsons, D. Cannon, Masters, Watt, and Sheedy [Introduced February 04, 2026; referred to the Committee on Government Organization] A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding a new section, designated §20-2-65, relating to permitting gold panning; and providing for the publishing of dates. Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia: ARTICLE 2. WILDLIFE RESOURCES. §20-2-65. Gold-panning permitted; dates published. (a) The Division of Natural Resources shall authorize gold panning in West Virginia rivers and streams and shall designate times of year when gold panning is permissible depending in the spawning season on various rivers and streams in the state. (b) A gold pan shall be used and a sluice that is no bigger than four inches wide. (c) After the establishment of the dates when gold panning is permitted, the Division of Natural Resources shall publish these dates for the interested public. NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to authorize gold panning and have dates published showing when the season is open. 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: