West Virginia HB5602: Provide a statutory mechanism allowing property owners of undeveloped or unimproved land located within municipal boundaries to petition for annexation of their property into the county.

What the bill says

To amend and reenact the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding a new article, designated §8-12A-1, §8-12A-2, §8-12A-3, §8-12A-4, §8-12A-5, §8-12A-6, §8-12A-7, §8-12A-8, §8-12A-9, §8-12A-10, and §8-12A-11, relating to authorizing municipal-to-county annexation of undeveloped property in West Virginia; providing for a short title and purpose; providing for definitions; providing for the authority for Municipal-to-County Annexation; providing for eligibility requirements; providing for an application process; providing for county commission review; providing for county develop.

From the introduced text, February 16, 2026:

A BILL to amend and reenact the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding a new article, designated §8-12A-1, §8-12A-2, §8-12A-3, §8-12A-4, §8-12A-5, §8-12A-6, §8-12A-7, §8-12A-8, §8-12A-9, §8-12A-10, and §8-12A-11, relating to authorizing municipal-to-county annexation of undeveloped property in West Virginia; providing for a short title and purpose; providing for definitions; providing for the authority for Municipal-to-County Annexation; providing for eligibility requirements; providing for an application process; providing for county commission review; providing for county development authority; providing for the effect of annexation; providing for judicial review; providing for severability; and providing for an effective date. Article 12A. Authorizing Municipal-to-County Annexation of Undeveloped Property in West Virginia. §8-12A-1. Short Title and Purpose. This Act may be cited as the "Municipal-to-County Annexation Act." The purpose of this Act is to provide a statutory mechanism allowing property owners of undeveloped or unimproved land located within municipal boundaries to petition for annexation of their property into the county, subject to consent requirements and eligibility for potential acquisition by county development authorities. §8-12A-2. Definitions. For purposes of this Act: "Municipality" means any incorporated city, town, or village in West Virginia. "County" means the county in which the municipality or the major portion thereof is located. "Undeveloped land" means real property that contains less than two percent of impervious surfaces. "County development authority" …