HB2397 is a bill in the West Virginia Legislature (2025 Regular Session): Prevent immediate family members from acting in a fiduciary capacity for the same governmental authority.

What is the status of HB2397?

Passed both chambers as of April 25, 2025.

Who sponsored HB2397?

Hillenbrand, Rick (R, 088), with 10 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for HB2397?

On the West Virginia Legislature website: http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/Bills_history.cfm?input=2397&year=2025&sessiontype=RS&btype=bill

West Virginia legislation · 2025 Regular Session

West Virginia HB2397: Prevent immediate family members from acting in a fiduciary capacity for the same governmental authority

Q: What does HB2397 do?

In its own words: An act to amend and reenact §7-5-4 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to modifying the process for designating signatories for certain expenditures from the county treasury by a county sheriff when two or more of the designated signatories are family or household members. Article 5. fiscal affairs. §7-5-4. Payment of money out of county treasury; signing of orders by mechanical or electrical devices; process when two or more designated signatories are family or household members; forgery; penalty. (a) Money may not be paid by the sheriff out of the county treasury except.

Status: Passed both chambers, April 25, 2025

The purpose of this bill is to prevent two immediate family members to act in a fiduciary capacity for the same governmental authority.

What the bill says

An act to amend and reenact §7-5-4 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to modifying the process for designating signatories for certain expenditures from the county treasury by a county sheriff when two or more of the designated signatories are family or household members. Article 5. fiscal affairs. §7-5-4. Payment of money out of county treasury; signing of orders by mechanical or electrical devices; process when two or more designated signatories are family or household members; forgery; penalty. (a) Money may not be paid by the sheriff out of the county treasury except.

From the enrolled text, April 9, 2025:

AN ACT to amend and reenact §7-5-4 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to modifying the process for designating signatories for certain expenditures from the county treasury by a county sheriff when two or more of the designated signatories are family or household members. Article 5. fiscal affairs. §7-5-4. Payment of money out of county treasury; signing of orders by mechanical or electrical devices; process when two or more designated signatories are family or household members; forgery; penalty. (a) Money may not be paid by the sheriff out of the county treasury except upon an order signed by the president of the county commission and the county clerk, and properly endorsed. In counties having a population in excess of 50,000 as shown by the last preceding federal census, such signatures may be made by means of such mechanical or electrical device as the county court may select. The mechanical or electrical device utilized for making the signatures of the president and clerk shall be safely kept in the office of the county clerk so that no one has access except the members of the county court, the county clerk, and such of their respective employees as may be authorized to have access. The mechanical or electrical device utilized for making the sheriff's signature shall be safely …

Read the full official text

West Virginia HB2397: Prevent immediate family members from acting in a fiduciary capacity for the same governmental authority

What the bill says

Sponsors

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