WEST virginia legislature

2026 regular session

Introduced

House Joint Resolution 20

By Delegates Dillon, Mallow, Ridenour, Coop-Gonzalez, Horst, Miller, Gearheart, Mazzocchi, Butler, T. Howell, and Jordan

[Introduced January 20, 2026; Referred
to the Committee on the Judiciary]

Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the state of West Virginia amending article II thereof by adding thereto a new section, designated section nine, relating to the State of West Virginia recognizing the Holy Bible, complete with the 66 of the Old and New Testaments, as the divinely inspired, inerrant foundational document for our society and government, an accurate historical record of human and natural history, and the utmost authority for human moral behavior. As such, the Holy Bible and its precepts shall be given a place of prominence and reverence in the public buildings, laws, policies, and schools of the state of West Virginia; and providing a summarized statement of the purpose of such proposed amendment.

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia, two thirds of the members elected to each house agreeing thereto:

That the question of ratification or rejection of an amendment to the Constitution of the state of West Virginia be submitted to the voters of the state at the next general election to be held in the year 2026, which proposed amendment is that article II thereof, be amended by adding thereto a new section, designated section nine, to read as follows:

ARTICLE II.

§9. Recognition of Holy Bible as Foundational Text.

The state of West Virginia recognizes the Holy Bible, complete with the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments, as the divinely inspired, inerrant foundational document for our society and government, an accurate historical record of human and natural history, and the utmost authority for human moral behavior. As such, the Holy Bible and its precepts shall be given a place of prominence and reverence in the public buildings, laws, policies, and schools of the state of West Virginia.

Resolved further, That in accordance with the provisions of §3-11-1 et seq. of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, such amendment is hereby numbered "Amendment No. 1" and designated as the "Recognition of Holy Bible as Foundational Text" and the purpose of the proposed amendment is summarized as follows:  

To recognize the Holy Bible, complete with the 66 of the Old and New Testaments, as the divinely inspired, inerrant foundational document for our society and government, an accurate historical record of human and natural history, and the utmost authority for human moral behavior and to give it a place of prominence in the state of West Virginia.

NOTE: The purpose of this resolution is to recognize the Holy Bible as a Foundational Text in the State of West Virginia.

Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from a heading or the present law and underscoring indicates new language that would be added.