West Virginia legislation · 2026 Regular Session
West Virginia HB5619: Display of National motto and Ten Commandments
Status: Introduced, February 16, 2026
What the bill says
To amend and reenact §5-6-17 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to requiring the governing authority of any public property, public buildings and any building, designed, constructed and maintained with public funds from the state, a county or a municipality shall, if funds are available in certain circumstances, prominently display on the property or building, the American national motto, "In God We Trust." And the Ten Commandments. ARTICLE 6. STATE BUILDINGS. §5-6-17. Display of the national motto, and POW-MIA flag, and the Ten Commandments. (a) The Legislature fi.
From the introduced text, February 16, 2026:
A BILL to amend and reenact §5-6-17 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to requiring the governing authority of any public property, public buildings and any building, designed, constructed and maintained with public funds from the state, a county or a municipality shall, if funds are available in certain circumstances, prominently display on the property or building, the American national motto, "In God We Trust." And the Ten Commandments. ARTICLE 6. STATE BUILDINGS. §5-6-17. Display of the national motto, and POW-MIA flag, and the Ten Commandments. (a) The Legislature finds and declares that the national motto of "In God We Trust," is an important part of our country's history and heritage. Additionally, the POW-MIA flag is a symbol of citizen concern for U.S. military personnel taken as prisoners of war (POW) or listed as missing in action (MIA). These patriotic displays enhance our national pride and awareness, both of the sacrifices made by service members and our heritage as Americans. (b) (1) The governing authority of any public property, public buildings and any building, designed, constructed and maintained with public funds from the state, a county or a municipality may, shall, if funds are available, prominently display on the property or building, the American national motto, "In God We Trust." (2) A durable poster or framed …