The Senate met on Thursday morning and passed two bills prohibiting certain compensation for advising or assisting with veterans’ benefits and the Second Amendment Reaffirmation and Protection Act.
The Senate also introduced Senate Bills 923-937 and adopted Senate Resolution 34, Designating February 12, 2026, as Hospital Day.
Senate Bill 478 would establish the Second Amendment Reaffirmation and Protection Act.
This bill would require that if federal gun laws such as the National Firearms Act (1934), Gun Control Act (1968), or the Firearm Owner’s Protection Act (1986) are repealed by Congress or deemed unconstitutional by a court, West Virginia law automatically protects people’s right to own and use guns without restrictions being placed despite federal law restrictions.
This bill would prevent state agencies or local government from enforcing or funding any firearm regulations that reflect federal gun laws that have been repealed or ruled unconstitutional.
State and local officials would be prohibited from replacing former federal firearm restrictions with new state or local rules.
Senator Eric J. Tarr (R – Putnam, 04) proposed a conceptual amendment to remove language in the bill referencing a “cause of action”, citing concerns that it could expose West Virginia taxpayers to legal liability and increased litigation costs.
The bill as amended passed the full Senate and was reported to the House of Delegates for consideration.
Senate Bill 704 would regulate and limit compensation for assisting veterans with obtaining veterans’ benefits administered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or Department of Defense.
The bill passed the full Senate and was reported to the House of Delegates for consideration.
Afternoon Meetings:
Economic Development at 12:45 p.m. in Room 208W
Health and Human Resources at 1 p.m. in Room 451M
Finance at 3 p.m. in Room 451M
Judiciary at 3 p.m. in Room 208W
Morning Meetings for Feb. 13:
Finance at 9 a.m. in Room 451M
The Senate is adjourned until tomorrow, Feb. 13, at 10:30 a.m.
