West Virginia Homestead Exemption Increase to $50,000 Amendment (2026)
| West Virginia Homestead Exemption Increase to $50,000 Amendment | |
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| Election date |
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| Topic Homestead tax exemptions |
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| Status Proposed |
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| Type Legislatively referred constitutional amendment |
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The West Virginia Homestead Exemption Increase to $50,000 Amendment (2026) may be on the ballot in West Virginia as a legislatively referred constitutional amendment on November 3, 2026.
The constitutional amendment would increase the minimum homestead exemption for certain homeowners from $20,000 to $50,000.[1]
Text of measure
Full text
The full text of the measure can be read here.
Path to the ballot
A two-thirds vote is required during one legislative session for the West Virginia State Legislature to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot. That amounts to a minimum of 67 votes in the West Virginia House of Representatives and 23 votes in the West Virginia State Senate, assuming no vacancies. Amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.
House Joint Resolution 42
The following is a timeline of the amendment:[2]
- January 14, 2026: The measure, House Joint Resolution 42, was introduced by Sen. Jason Barrett (R) in the House.
- March 4, 2026: The House approved the measure in a vote of 95-0, with four members not voting. Nine (9) Democrats and 86 Republicans voted yes; four Republicans did not vote.
| Votes Required to Pass: 26 | |||
| Yes | No | NV | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 95 | 0 | 4 |
| Total % | 96% | 0% | 4% |
| Democratic (D) | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| Republican (R) | 86 | 0 | 4 |
External links
See also
View other measures certified for the 2026 ballot across the U.S. and in West Virginia.
Explore West Virginia's ballot measure history, including constitutional amendments.
Understand how measures are placed on the ballot and the rules that apply.
Footnotes
- ↑ [https://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/Resolution_History.cfm?year=2026&sessiontype=RS&input4=42&billtype=JR&houseorig=H&btype=res West Virginia Legislature, "HJR 42 Text," accessed February 10, 2026]
- ↑ New Mexico Legislature, "HJR 42," accessed February 10, 2026
