WEST VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE
2025 REGULAR SESSION
Introduced
House Bill 2092
By Delegates G. Howell and Hillenbrand
[Introduced ; referredto the Committee on ]
A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §7-3-3b, and to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated §8-12-10a, relating to requiring counties and municipalities to provide public notice for land or building purchases.
Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:
# CHAPTER 7. COUNTY COMMISSIONS AND OFFICERS.
## ARTICLE 3. county property.
(a) Notice requirement. – Counties shall provide public notice for the purchase of land or buildings at least three months prior to purchase of the property. In addition to the information set forth in subsection (b) of this section, notice must indicate the size of the land or buildings intending to be purchased. The county shall entertain submitted proposals in a public format that are within 10 percent of the specifications provided, and within the borders of the subdivision, with a reasonable distance from point selected, not to exceed four miles. Proposals shall be available for 10 business days to the public prior to action being taken.
(b) Public notice defined. – Public notice may be completed using acceptable forms of social media, as well as public posting at the courthouse, with advertisements in news print optional. Announcement of the sale using any media that reaches the public and is appropriate to the type and value of personal property to be sold is to be considered public notice.
(c) Required information for notice. – In the public notice, the county shall provide information necessary for potential buyers to participate in the sale, including the following:
(1) Date, time and location of sale;
(2) General categories of property being offered for sale;
(3) Inspection period;
(4) Method of sale (i.e., spot bid, sealed bid, auction);
(5) Selling agency; and
(6) Who to contact for additional information.
# CHAPTER 8. MUNICIPAL CORPORATIONS.
## ARTICLE 12. GENERAL AND SPECIFIC POWERS, DUTIES AND ALLIED RELATIONS OF MUNICIPALITIES, GOVERNING BODIES AND MUNICIPAL OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES; SUITS AGAINST MUNICIPALITIES.
(a) Notice requirement. – Municipalities shall provide public notice for the purchase of land or buildings at least three months prior to purchase of the property. In addition to the information set forth in subsection (b) of this section, notice must indicate the size of the land or buildings intending to be purchased. The municipality shall entertain submitted proposals in a public format that are within 10 percent of the specifications provided, and within the borders of the subdivision, with a reasonable distance from point selected, not to exceed four miles. Proposals shall be available for 10 business days to the public prior to action being taken.
(b) Public notice defined. – Public notice may be completed using acceptable forms of social media, as well as public posting at the courthouse, with advertisements in news print optional. Announcement of the sale using any media that reaches the public and is appropriate to the type and value of personal property to be sold is to be considered public notice.
(c) Required information for notice. – In the public notice, the municipality shall provide information necessary for potential buyers to participate in the sale, including the following:
(1) Date, time and location of sale;
(2) General categories of property being offered for sale;
(3) Inspection period;
(4) Method of sale (i.e., spot bid, sealed bid, auction);
(5) Selling agency; and
(6) Who to contact for additional information.
NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to require counties and municipalities to provide public notice for land or building purchases.
Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from a heading or the present law and underscoring indicates new language that would be added.