In one paragraph
West Virginia's HB 4682, the Fourth Amendment Restoration Act (2026 regular session), would have barred law enforcement officers, and anyone acting for law enforcement purposes, from using seven listed technologies, including facial recognition, license plate readers and surveillance drones, unless a warrant based on probable cause authorizes use against a specific person. Knowing and willful use would be a felony. It was sent to House Judiciary on January 21, 2026 and died when the session ended March 14, 2026.
Plain-English summary, written with AI assistance. The official text controls.
What it means for business
None: the bill did not pass. It would have barred law enforcement use of listed surveillance technologies, including facial recognition, without a warrant.
Key provisions
- Listed technologies (15-17-3): real time security monitoring, multimodal vehicle recognition, facial recognition, gun or firearm recognition, surveillance drones, license plate readers and digital identity ecosystems; none are defined
- Use allowed only if a warrant has been issued authorizing it against a specific person based on probable cause
- Knowing and willful use by an officer or political subdivision official would be a felony: at least one year and a day in confinement and a fine of at least $10,000 per occurrence (15-17-4)
- Political subdivisions could not implement or use the technologies and would have to discontinue existing use immediately; an official who refused would commit the same felony
- A person whose rights are violated may sue the officer or official (15-17-5)
- Text says the article is effective upon passage; introduced January 21, 2026, sent to House Judiciary, died at the end of the 2026 session
Latest legislative action
Jan 21, 2026. To House Judiciary; died when the West Virginia Legislature's 2026 regular session ended March 14, 2026
Sponsors (showing 5 of 20)
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Anders | Primary |
| Campbell | Primary |
| Foster | Primary |
| Hornbuckle | Primary |
| Bates | Cosponsor |
Topics and industries
Related topics
Affected industries
This page is general information, not legal advice. Summaries are AI-assisted and may contain errors; read the statute for the controlling text and talk to a lawyer about your situation. Full disclaimer · Report an error