Welcome to our ‘Daily at the State Legislature page’
Here we address animal welfare bills that are introduced during the WV Legislative Session.
We will note if we think it is particularly good or a threat to an existing law on the books that protects animals. We often leave you to make that determination. Note that the dates are from newest to oldest as we post east current day to garner support for necessary bills.
Keep in mind, we are all volunteers who provide this information taking time from our busy lives to keep you informed. Our contributors on the bills are WV animal welfare supporters from all over the state providing this information to us.
Here are some hints. You can go to the WV State Legislature site https://www.wvlegislature.gov/
You can also track bills through their site. https://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/bill_status.cfm
We have accumulated a 21-year history of animal bills in the WV State Legislature. It is a unique history and can be accessed here only.
Legislative Session Detail Animal Welfare 03-2024
Everything following is now in the above file for easy download…..
Here we are again for another session of the WV State Legislature. We know everyone thinks we need more laws to help animals. We need some but really not many to do the job well. First, we need the enforcement of the laws we have. However, there are areas of ambiguity within the code. And bills that are just lacking in support of our furry friends. Often, we just need to remain vigilant to ensure a bill will not do more harm than good.
Often bills get introduced as a courtesy to a local constituent. If bills do not get helped & nurtured they simply remain in committee and languish like the majority of other bills that never pass. If you have an interest in a bill, you have to get involved, get others involved, write to your legislators, post on social media, travel to Charleston to see them in person, make phone calls. Sounds like a lot of effort, doesn’t it? Well, it definitely is. That is why only a small portion of bills actually make it through to passage and becoming law.
Read and see if you support or oppose any of these that have been introduced. If you do nothing, then your argument remains that the law needs changed but you are unwilling to offer effort to get it done. It may be different this year and you could be that difference. If we miss a bill, please let us know.
Notes these dates of interest for this legislative session:
March 25th will be ‘Spay Neuter Awareness Day’ at the State Legislature. WVVAW and FOHO WV will have informational tables in the lower rotundra of the capital to help educate all on the benefits of spay neuter. We will particularly emphasize the importantance of extending our WVSNP funding beyond its sunset date to help control our pet overpopulation in our state.