The West Virginia Legislature
Important Dates
The West Virginia Legislature starts on January 14, 2026.
Important Dates from the 2026 Session
First Day - January 14, 2026: First day of session. (WV Const. Art. VI, §18)
Twentieth Day - February 2, 2026: Submission of Legislative Rule-Making Review bills due. (WV Code §29A-3-12)
Thirty-fifth Day - February 17, 2026: Last day to introduce bills in the House. House Rule 91a does not apply to originating or supplementary appropriation bills, and does not apply to Senate or House resolutions or concurrent resolutions.
Forty-first Day - February 23, 2026: Last day to introduce bills in the Senate. Senate Rule 14 does not apply to originating or supplementary appropriation bills, and does not apply to Senate or House resolutions or concurrent resolutions.
Forty-seventh Day - March 1, 2026: Bills due out of committees in house of origin to ensure three full days for readings.
Fiftieth Day - March 4, 2026: Last day to consider bill on third reading in house of origin. Does not include budget or supplementary appropriation bills.
(Joint Rule 5, paragraph b)
Sixtieth Day - March 14, 2026: Adjournment at Midnight.
(WV Const. Art. VI, §22)
How a Bill Becomes a Law
A bill is an idea for a new law, or an idea to change or do away with an existing law. Hundreds of bills enter the legislative process in West Virginia each time the Legislature meets. Two groups of elected citizens - 34 senators and 100 delegates - study, discuss and vote on bills, and in doing so act for the people of West Virginia. Bills enter the legislative process either through the House of Delegates or the Senate, but to become laws, bills must pass both chambers and avoid a governor’s veto.
For a pictorial explanation, please click here.
Members of the Senate - 2026
Representing 17 senatorial districts, the Senate is comprised of 34 members - 3 Democrats and 31 Republicans. Senators serve four-year terms with half of those seats up for election every two years.
Senate Leadership
President of the Senate Randy E. Smith
President Pro Tempore: Jay Taylor
Majority Leader: Patrick Martin
Assistant Majority Leader: Patricia Rucker
Majority Whip: Ben Queen
Minority Leader: Mike Woelfel
Assistant Minority Leader: Joey Garcia
Click here for a list of current Senators.
Members of the House of Delegates - 2026
The House of Delegates is composed of 100 members, 11 Democrats and 89 Republicans, from 100 delegate districts throughout the state. Delegates serve two-year terms with all of the seats in the House up for election every two years.
House Leadership
Speaker of the House: Roger Hanshaw
Majority Leader: Pat McGeehan
Majority Whip: Marty Gearheart
Speaker Pro Tempore, Deputy Speaker: Matthew Rohrbach
Deputy Speaker: Joe Ellington
Assistant Majority Leaders: David Elliott Pritt, David Green, Erica Moore, David McCormick, Mickey Petitto
Assistant Majority Whips: Jordan Bridges, Eric Brooks, Jim ButlerSarah Drennan, Dave Foggin, Joe Funkhouser, Jonathan Pinson, Bill Ridenour,
Minority Leader: Sean Hornbuckle
Minority Whip: Shawn Fluharty
Minority Leader Pro Tempore: Kayla Young
Deputy Minority Leader: Evan Hansen
Click here for a list of current Delegates.