Plain English Breakdown
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Straight-ahead summaries built from the official bill text. We keep the source links front and center and leave the decision up to you.
SB208 • 2026
Exempting certain military records from public release
This bill passed the Legislature and reached final enactment based on the latest official action.
The plain English breakdown is still being put together. The official documents below are already here.
Approved by Governor 2/25/2026 - House Journal
Approved by Governor 2/25/2026
To Governor 2/20/2026 - House Journal
To Governor 2/20/2026
House Message received
Completed legislative action
Communicated to Senate
Passed House (Roll No. 116)
Read 3rd time
On 3rd reading, Special Calendar
On 3rd reading with right to amend, Special Calendar
Read 2nd time
From House Calendar, 2nd reading, placed on Special Calendar
On 2nd reading, House Calendar
Placed on House Calendar
On 2nd reading, Special Calendar
Read 1st time
On 1st reading, Special Calendar
Do pass
Markup Discussion
To House Judiciary
To Judiciary
Introduced in House
House received Senate message
Ordered to House
Passed Senate (Roll No. 26)
Read 3rd time
On 3rd reading
Read 2nd time
On 2nd reading
Read 1st time
On 1st reading
Reported do pass
To Military
Introduced in Senate
To Military
Filed for introduction
Exempting certain military records from public release
SB 208 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 Enrolled Version - Final Version Senate Bill 208 History OTHER VERSIONS - Introduced Version | | Email Key: Green = existing Code. Red = new code to be enacted WEST VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE 2026 REGULAR SESSION Enrolled Senate Bill 208 By Senators Weld, Phillips, Woelfel, and Tarr [Passed February 18, 2026; in effect 90 days from passage (May 19, 2026)] AN ACT to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding a new section, designated §15-1B-28, relating to exempting certain classified military records from public release. Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia: ARTICLE 1B. NATIONAL GUARD. §15-1B-28. Protection of classified and sensitive military information. While there is a presumption of public accessibility to all public records, the following types of records are specifically exempt from public disclosure, to include any disclosure under §29B-1-1 et seq. of this code: (1) Information that is properly classified to protect national or state security; (2) Those portions of records containing specific or unique vulnerability assessments or specific or unique response plans, data, databases and inventories of goods or materials collected or assembled to respond to terrorist acts; and communication codes or deployment plans of the Department of Defense, armed forces of the United States, the National Guard, or Department of Homeland Security; (3) Specific intelligence information and specific investigative records dealing with terrorist acts or the threat of a terrorist act shared by and between federal and international law-enforcement agencies, the National Guard, the armed forces of the United States, Department of Defense, state and local law enforcement, and other agencies within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security or the W. Va. Department of Homeland Security; and (4) Sensitive military information the public disclosure of which would threaten public safety, endanger military personnel, or provide a military advantage to an adversary. Such information includes, but is not limited to, deployment, operational or emergency response plans or operations, military tactics, techniques, or procedures, rules for the use of force, rules of engagement, critical infrastructure security information, offensive, defensive, force protection, cyberspace, stability, civil support, freedom of navigation, operations security, domestic operation, personnel and equipment strengths and location of the National Guard, armed forces, or the Department of Defense. The Clerk of the Senate and the Clerk of the House of Delegates hereby certify that the foregoing bill is correctly enrolled. ............................................................... Clerk of the Senate ............................................................... Clerk of the House of Delegates Originated in the Senate. In effect 90 days from passage. ............................................................... President of the Senate ............................................................... Speaker of the House of Delegates __________ The within is ................................................ this the........................................... Day of ..........................................................................................................., 2026. ............................................................. Governor 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: