Why It Matters: The 2025 West Virginia legislative session was a productive one with Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation engaging early and often on many issues of concern for West Virginia’s sporting community. During legislative sessions, policies that are formed in state’s capitols impact what we do on the water and afield and, fortunately for the sportsmen and women of West Virginia, the 2025 Legislative Session was a success. Legislators in The Mountain State kept sportsmen and women in mind as well as conservation when casting their votes. This article will take a closer look at some of the happenings in the legislature.
Highlights:
- The West Virginia Legislature convened on February 12, 2025, and adjourned on April 12, 2025.
- House Bill 3342 – Firearms Industry Nondiscrimination Act (FIND Act) was signed by Gov. Patrick Morrisey, protecting businesses from discrimination solely because they engage in the lawful commerce of firearms or ammunition.
- Senate Resolution 6 – Commemorating 75th anniversary of Sport Fish Restoration Program, which was introduced by West Virginia Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus Co-Chair Sen. Bill Hamilton, was adopted in February.
- The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) submitted written testimony for Senate Bill 152 and Senate Bill 153, as their passage would have provided free hunting, fishing and trapping licenses for certain individuals. While well intended, these bills would have created a financial burden on the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (DNR).
Wild Wonderful West Virginia is home to some of the most breathtaking natural places booming with opportunity for sportsmen and women. No wonder The Mountain State is often referred to as “Almost Heaven”. I personally was able to enjoy the mountains, hills and hallows of West Virginia in search of the wild Eastern Turkey. While I was unable to harvest a West Virginia bird, I came in very close proximity on several occasions, which has solidified my plans to return in the spring of 2026. Thankfully, West Virginia has a deep-rooted outdoor heritage that can be seen in the halls of the Capitol in Charleston.
As previously mentioned, state level legislation has a huge impact on sportsmen and women. Public access, hunting rules and regulations, license fees, project funding, etc. are all examples of legislative involvement in hunting, fishing, recreational shooting, and trapping. Fortunately, the WV Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has a fairly positive working rapport with the legislature. For example, Senate Bill 152 and Senate Bill 153 would have created free hunting, trapping, and fishing licenses for certain first responders. While legislation like this is well intended, the negative fiscal impact that these types of bills would have on state fish and wildlife agencies is often overlooked. CSF submitted written testimony in expressing concern with the unintended consequences of the bills as written, and encouraged the committee to consider amending the bills to include a provision that would provide reimbursement to the DNR from the state’s general fund for all free and/or discounted hunting, trapping, and fishing licenses.
Additionally, Governor Patrick Morrisey signed House Bill 3342 (FIND Act) into law on April 25th. The FIND Act provides that it shall be an unlawful discriminatory practice for any person to refuse to provide any goods or services of any kind, or to terminate an existing business relationship with, or otherwise discriminate against, an individual or trade association, solely because the business or individual is engaged in the lawful commerce of firearms or ammunition products. Legislation such as the FIND Act is an important tool to protect sporting goods stores that sell firearms, firearms accessories, and ammunition from discrimination from the banking industry, and ultimately, keeping the doors of their businesses open.
Finally, West Virginia Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus Co-Chair, Sen. Bill Hamilton, introduced Senate Resolution 6, commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the Sport Fish Restoration Program (Dingell-Johnson Act). As previously reported, Since 1950, the Sport Fish Restoration Program has been a principal funding source for state fish hatcheries, fisheries management, boating access, recruiting and reactivating anglers and boaters, boating safety, and aquatic education programs. From 1951 to 2025, the revenues generated by the program for states total an impressive $19.3 billion when adjusted for inflation. It’s a program that is vital to providing Americans with healthy fisheries and easy access to our waters.
The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation also attended the WV Sportsmen’s Day at the Capitol in Charleston, WV with other state and national conservation sporting organizations.
While 2025 was a successful year, CSF looks forward to continuing this work with the West Virginia Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus and the Division of Natural Resources to identify key priorities for the sportsmen and women’s community in The Mountain State and ensure that the outdoor heritage of West Virginia is protected and promoted in the halls of the Capitol for years to come.
