Bill
HB 5665
HB 5665 would revise House Rule 49 to change how members’ presence is recorded, adjust timing for floor actions, and modify recording rules for proceedings.
HB 5665 (West Virginia 2026) – Change to House Rule 49 regarding members present, time and recording
Overview
- Purpose: This bill proposes changes to House Rule 49 governing attendance, participation timing, and recording of proceedings in the West Virginia House of Delegates. The exact text of Rule 49 is not included in the summary, but the bill’s title indicates a reform or clarification of how members’ presence is determined, the timing for actions/participation, and the use or handling of recordings of proceedings.
Key Provisions (as inferred from title; exact text not provided in the summary)
- Attendance/Presence Standards: The bill would modify how presence of members is recorded or determined for the purposes of floor votes, quorums, or procedural actions. This could affect how members mark their attendance or how a member’s presence is acknowledged.
- Time Rules: The bill would adjust timing-related aspects under Rule 49, potentially including deadlines for motions, amendments, or appearances, and the sequencing of business on the floor.
- Recording Provisions: The bill would alter rules related to recording proceedings (e.g., audio/video recording, accessibility of records, or the process by which recordings are created, stored, or disseminated). This could impact transparency practices, archival standards, or consent/notice requirements for recordings.
Who/What is Affected
- Members of the West Virginia House of Delegates: Changes to attendance, presence, and timing rules directly affect how members participate in floor activities and how their presence is recognized.
- Legislative Proceedings: The procedures for floor debates, motions, voting, and the recording and preservation of proceedings would be directly influenced.
- House Staff and Clerks: Administrative processes tied to attendance tracking, recording creation/maintenance, and dissemination may be updated to align with the new rule.
Procedural/TImeline Aspects
- Introduction/Referral: Filed for introduction on February 17, 2026.
- Referral: Referred to House Judiciary on the same date (February 17, 2026).
- Status: Introduced and assigned to Judiciary committee; sponsor list includes multiple co-sponsors.
Sponsors
- Primary sponsor: Not listed in the provided excerpt, but co-sponsors include:
- Stan Adkins
- Marshall Clay
- Chris Anders
- Bill Flanigan
- Jim Butler
- Bill Ridenour
- Jordan Bridges
- Laura Kimble
- Corby Dillon
- Ian Masters
Notes and considerations
- The exact statutory language of Rule 49 and the bill’s amendments are not included in the provided text. For a precise understanding, the committee hearing records and the bill’s full text (inserted as the official bill document) should be reviewed to identify specific changes (definitions, timelines, exceptions, and implementation dates).
- Potential impacts to transparency and efficiency may include clearer attendance rules, streamlined procedural timing, and enhanced or clarified recording practices.
In short, HB 5665 seeks to revise House Rule 49 to alter how members’ presence is recorded, adjust timing rules for parliamentary business, and modify the rules governing recordings of proceedings. The bill is currently at the Judiciary committee stage with a slate of co-sponsors.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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