WEST VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE
2026 REGULAR SESSION
Introduced
Senate Bill 17
By Senator Rose
[Introduced January 14, 2026; referred
to the Committee on Health and Human Resources; and then to the Committee on the Judiciary]
A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding a new article, designated §1-9-1 and §1-9-2, relating to creating the State Sovereignty Act of 2026; providing a short title; and setting forth rejection of foreign entities’ jurisdiction in the state.
Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:
This act shall be titled State Sovereignty Act of 2026.
(a) The World Health Organization, the United Nations, and the World Economic Forum have no jurisdiction in this state. The state of West Virginia and its political subdivisions, including, but not limited to, counties, cities, towns, precincts, water districts, school districts, school administrative units, or quasi-public entities, shall not be compelled to engage in the enforcement of, or any collaboration with the enforcement of, any requirements or mandates issued by the World Health Organization, the United Nations, or the World Economic Forum.
(b) Any requirements or mandates issued by the World Health Organization, the United Nations, or the World Economic Forum shall not be used in this state as a basis for action or to direct, order, or otherwise impose any requirements whatsoever that are contrary to the constitution and laws of this state. This includes, but is not limited to, mandates for masks, vaccines, medical testing, or the gathering of any public or private information about the state’s citizens or residents. Any requirements or mandates issued by these foreign entities shall have no force or effect in this state.
NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to enact the State Sovereignty Act of 2026.
Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from a heading or the present law and underscoring indicates new language that would be added.