Relating to clarifying secondary sources are not the law and public policy of West Virginia in certain instances
HB 5006 clarifies that legal textbooks, scholarly articles, and other secondary sources (like treatises) are not binding law or public policy in West Virginia. It states these materials can only be used as persuasive guidance when they align with existing state law, not to create or change legal rights. The bill also allows circuit courts to submit "first impression" legal questions - about new causes of action or rights - to the Supreme Court for formal guidance. This directly affects judges, lawyers, and courts handling cases involving novel legal interpretations.
Bill status
in committee
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 30, 2026
Last action Jan 30, 2026
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
4
Key actions
0
Committee
2
Jan 30, 2026
Committee
To House Judiciary
lower
Jan 30, 2026
Introduced
Introduced in House
lower
Jan 30, 2026
Committee
To Judiciary
lower
1 primary · 2 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Joe Funkhouser
RRepublican
Co
Bill Ridenour
RRepublican
Co
Daniel Linville
RRepublican
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