West Virginia legislation · 2026 Regular Session
West Virginia HB5518: Judicial Accountability and Recall Act
Status: Introduced, February 13, 2026
What the bill says
To amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding a new article, designated §3-10A-1, §3-10A-2, §3-10A-3, §3-10A-4, §3-10A-5, §3-10A-6, §3-10A-7, §3-10A-8, §3-10A-9, §3-10A-10, and §3-10A-11, relating to enacting the "Judicial Accountability and Recall Act," to allow and delineate processes for recall elections of judicial officers. article 10A. recall of judicial officers. §3-10A-1. Short title. This article shall be known and may be cited as the "Judicial Accountability and Recall Act." §3-10A-2. Legislative findings and purpose. The Legislature finds that: (a) Judicial.
From the introduced text, February 13, 2026:
A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding a new article, designated §3-10A-1, §3-10A-2, §3-10A-3, §3-10A-4, §3-10A-5, §3-10A-6, §3-10A-7, §3-10A-8, §3-10A-9, §3-10A-10, and §3-10A-11, relating to enacting the "Judicial Accountability and Recall Act," to allow and delineate processes for recall elections of judicial officers. article 10A. recall of judicial officers. §3-10A-1. Short title. This article shall be known and may be cited as the "Judicial Accountability and Recall Act." §3-10A-2. Legislative findings and purpose. The Legislature finds that: (a) Judicial independence is essential to the rule of law, but independence must coexist with accountability. (b) West Virginia currently provides no mechanism for the public to recall a judicial officer during a term of office, even in cases of demonstrated misconduct. (c) Judicial disciplinary proceedings alone do not provide an adequate or timely remedy when a judge abuses authority or violates fundamental rights. (d) Several states provide a constitutional mechanism allowing voters to recall judges through a democratic process. (e) Public confidence in the judiciary depends upon transparency, accountability, and the availability of lawful remedies when misconduct occurs. (f) Therefore, the purpose of this article is to establish a lawful, voter-initiated recall process for judicial officers of the State of West Virginia. §3-10A-3. Judicial officers subject to recall. (a) The following judicial officers are subject …