West Virginia legislation · 2026 Regular Session
West Virginia SB705: Creating offense of theft by conversion
Status: Vetoed, April 1, 2026
What the bill says
An act to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding a new section, designated §61-3-61, relating to providing definitions; establishing criminal offenses related to theft by conversion; establishing criminal penalties and fines; providing for restitution; and establishing venue. ARTICLE 3. CRIMES AGAINST PROPERTY. §61-3-61. Theft by conversion; penalties; and restitution. (a) As used in this section, the following terms shall have the following "Personal property" means personal property having a replacement cost value greater than $100, excluding any late fees and penalties.
From the enrolled text, March 14, 2026:
AN ACT to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding a new section, designated §61-3-61, relating to providing definitions; establishing criminal offenses related to theft by conversion; establishing criminal penalties and fines; providing for restitution; and establishing venue. ARTICLE 3. CRIMES AGAINST PROPERTY. §61-3-61. Theft by conversion; penalties; and restitution. (a) As used in this section, the following terms shall have the following "Personal property" means personal property having a replacement cost value greater than $100, excluding any late fees and penalties, including but not limited to heavy equipment contained within the definition of "heavy equipment rental inventory" in §11-5-15 of this code, tractors, and other farm equipment primarily designed for use in agriculture; and "Funds" means any form of money, including cash, payment instruments such as checks, money orders, or sales drafts, and receipts from electronic fund transfers. (b) A person is guilty of the offense of theft by conversion when, after having lawfully obtained funds or other property of another under an agreement or by some other legal obligation in order to make a specified application of the funds or a specified disposition of the property, he or she knowingly converts the funds or property to his or her own use in violation of the agreement or legal obligation. (c) Any person who violates …