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HB 5063

To permit the county commission to appoint a county commissioner to a convention and visitor’s bureau as a voting member

2026 Regular Session Introduced by David Cannon and 1 co-sponsor

HB 5063 permits county commissioners to directly serve as voting members on county convention and visitor's bureaus, increasing government influence over local tourism spending and marketing.

Chapter 165, Acts, Regular Session, 2026
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Bill Summary · HB 5063

Legislative bill overview

HB 5063 would allow West Virginia county commissions to appoint one of their own members to serve as a voting member on their county's convention and visitor's bureau (CVB). Currently, the bill implies county commissioners cannot hold voting positions on these tourism boards, which are typically independent or semi-autonomous entities that promote tourism and economic development.

Why is this important

Convention and visitor's bureaus control significant public funding and marketing budgets that impact local tourism industries, hotels, restaurants, and related businesses. Allowing direct county commissioner participation could either improve government accountability and coordination or create conflicts of interest, depending on implementation and oversight mechanisms.

Potential points of contention

  • Conflicts of interest: County commissioners voting on CVB matters while also controlling county budgets creates potential for self-dealing or directing public resources inappropriately
  • Board independence: CVBs traditionally operate with some independence from direct government control; this change centralizes political influence over tourism spending decisions
  • Representation balance: Adding a voting commissioner to the board may dilute representation from private tourism industry stakeholders who have direct economic interests in CVB decisions

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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