H. B. 2498
(By Delegate Doyle)
[Introduced January 13, 2010; referred to the
Committee on the Judiciary.]
A BILL to amend and reenact §14-2-2
of the Code of West Virginia,
1931, as amended, relating to providing that actions in which
the state is a party be brought in the county which is
affected or related to the controversy.
Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That §14-2-2
of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended,
be amended and reenacted to read as follows:
ARTICLE 2. CLAIMS AGAINST THE STATE.
§14-2-2. Venue for certain suits and actions.
(a) The following proceedings, with the agreement of the
parties, shall may be brought and prosecuted only in the circuit
court of Kanawha County:
(1) Any suit in which the Governor, any other state officer,
or a state agency is made a party defendant, except as garnishee or
suggestee.
(2) Any suit attempting to enjoin or otherwise suspend or
affect a judgment or decree on behalf of the state obtained in any
circuit court.
If any party to any action, as described in subdivisions (1)
and (2) of this section, does not agree to venue lying in the
circuit court of Kanawha County, then the action shall be tried in
the county bearing the greatest relation to the controversy at
hand.
(b) Any proceeding for injunctive or mandamus relief involving
the taking, title, or collection for or prevention of damage to
real property may be brought and presented in the circuit court of
the county in which the real property affected is situate.
This section shall apply applies only to such proceedings as
are not prohibited by the Constitutional immunity of the state from
suit under section 35, article VI of the Constitution of the State.
NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to remove the requirement
that venue properly lies in Kanawha County in relation to certain
controversies involving the state.
Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from
the present law, and underscoring indicates new language that would
be added.