reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 1. The State and Its Subdivisions › Article 2. Apportionment of Representation › §1-2-3. Congressional Districts

The number of members to which the state is entitled in the House of Representatives of the Congress of the United States are apportioned among the counties of the state, arranged into three congressional districts, numbered as follows:
First District: Barbour, Brooke, Doddridge, Gilmer, Grant, Hancock, Harrison, Marion, Marshall, Mineral, Monongalia, Ohio, Pleasants, Preston, Ritchie, Taylor, Tucker, Tyler, Wetzel and Wood.
Second District: Berkeley, Braxton, Calhoun, Clay, Hampshire, Hardy, Jackson, Jefferson, Kanawha, Lewis, Morgan, Pendleton, Putnam, Randolph, Roane, Upshur and Wirt.
Third District: Boone, Cabell, Fayette, Greenbrier, Lincoln, Logan, Mason, McDowell, Mercer, Mingo, Monroe, Nicholas, Pocahontas, Raleigh, Summers, Wayne, Webster and Wyoming.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 1. The State and Its Subdivisions › Article 2. Apportionment of Representation › §1-2-4. Severability of Provisions of Article

If section one, two or three of this article or any part of any one or more of said sections is declared invalid or unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining sections or provisions of this article or the article in its entirety.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 1. The State and Its Subdivisions › Article 3. Creation of New County; Change in County Line › §1-3-1. Notice of Intention to Create New County

When it is intended to apply to the Legislature for the passage of an act to create a new county, a notice of such intention shall be published as a Class II legal advertisement in compliance with the provisions of article three, chapter fifty-nine of this code, and the publication area for such publication shall be each county from which any part of such new county is proposed to be taken.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 1. The State and Its Subdivisions › Article 3. Creation of New County; Change in County Line › §1-3-2. Survey and Census; Area and Population

The county court of each of the counties out of which the new county is proposed to be formed, at its first session after the notice mentioned in the next preceding section has been published, as required by said section, shall order a survey of the whole county, and of that portion thereof proposed to be included in the new county, to be made by the surveyor of such county, if there be one, and if not by some other competent surveyor, in order to ascertain the number of square miles in the county, as well as in that portion thereof proposed to be included in such new county. Such court shall also appoint some one or more competent person or persons to take a census of the population of such county, and of that part thereof proposed to be included in such new county, in order to ascertain whether or not there will remain in such county a population of six thousand after the creation of such new county. It shall be the duty of the surveyor so directed or appointed to make such survey, and of the person or persons so appointed to take the census, as soon as their fees are paid or secured to be paid in a manner satisfactory to them to proceed in the shortest time practicable to make such survey and take such census and make report thereof to the county court by which they were appointed; and the surveyor shall return and file with his report two fair plats and certificates of the survey made by him showing the metes and bounds of the county and the number of square miles of territory contained therein, and the number of square miles contained within that portion thereof proposed to be included in the new county, and the metes and bounds thereof. The return of such survey and census shall be noted in the records of the court, and such reports shall be filed and preserved by the clerk of such court in his office, and a notice in writing that such return of the survey and census has been made shall be sent to the county court of the other county out of which such new county is proposed to be formed.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 1. The State and Its Subdivisions › Article 3. Creation of New County; Change in County Line › §1-3-3. Submission of Question of Creation of New County to Voters; Copies of Surveys, Census and Declaration of Result of Election

If it appear, by such surveys and census, that there are within the limits of the proposed new county at least four hundred square miles of territory and at least six thousand population, and that no county is thereby reduced below four hundred square miles of territory or below six thousand population, and that no part of any county having a population of not more than six thousand, or a territory of not more than four hundred square miles, is included within such proposed new county, the county court of each of the counties from which such new county is proposed to be taken shall order a vote of the qualified voters of such county within the lines of such proposed new county to be taken on a day named for the purpose, which shall be on the same day in each county and on the fourth Tuesday after the day of the return of such reports and census to the county court of the county where such reports and census are returned last, at each place of voting within the lines of such proposed new county, or, if there be no place of voting therein, at such place or places therein as the court may direct, of which time and place a notice shall be posted by the sheriff of each of such counties at each place of voting therein as provided by such order, at least fifteen days before such election. The court shall, at the same time, appoint commissioners of election for each of such places of voting, and all the laws relating to a general election shall, as far as applicable, govern and control the holding of such election at the several places of voting, the ascertaining of the result thereof at each of such places and the returns thereof, and the declaring of the general result of such election at all the places of voting in each of such counties. The ballots used at such election shall have printed on them the words “For new county,” and “Against new county.” And it shall be the duty of the clerk of the county court of each of such counties to deliver to any person who may demand the same, and pay or tender his legal fees therefor, copies of such surveys, census and declaration of the result of such election in his county, duly certified by him to be true copies. The fees for such copies shall be the same as are allowed by law for other copying done by such clerk.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 1. The State and Its Subdivisions › Article 3. Creation of New County; Change in County Line › §1-3-4. Plat of New County

From the plats showing the portion of each county to be included in the proposed new county, mentioned in section two of this article, a plat of the proposed new county shall be prepared under the joint supervision of the surveyors who made the plats of such portions, which plat shall bear the joint certificate of such surveyors as to the surveys included therein and shall show the courses and distances of the boundary line of such new county, and the streams and other natural objects or points on such boundary line, and a copy of the plat so certified shall be returned by the surveyor of each county to the clerk of the county court thereof. Such return shall be noted in the records of the county court and such copy shall be filed and preserved by such clerk in his office.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 1. The State and Its Subdivisions › Article 3. Creation of New County; Change in County Line › §1-3-5. Certificates to Accompany Application to Legislature

Every application to the Legislature for the formation of a new county must be accompanied by duly certified copies of the surveys, plat of the proposed new county, census and order of the county court declaring the result of such election as aforesaid, together with satisfactory evidence that all the provisions of this article have been fully complied with.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 1. The State and Its Subdivisions › Article 3. Creation of New County; Change in County Line › §1-3-6. Payment of Expenses

All the expenses attending the publication of the notices, the surveying, and the taking of the census, as required in sections one and two of this article, shall be paid by the parties applying for the proposed new county. The expenses incident to the election in each county shall be paid by it and the laws relating to the payment of general election expenses, so far as applicable, shall govern such payment, but in the event that the proposed new county is created, such election expenses shall be paid by the new county to each county that made such expenditures.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 1. The State and Its Subdivisions › Article 3. Creation of New County; Change in County Line › §1-3-7. Filing Plat of New County After Its Creation; Change of Boundaries

If the proposed new county be created with the boundaries specified in the plat and certificate of survey mentioned in section four of this article, a copy of such plat and certificate showing the courses and distances of the boundary line of such new county, and the streams and other natural objects or points referred to in the act creating the same, shall be filed in the office of the Secretary of State, and a similar copy in the office of the clerk of the county court of such new county. But if such new county be created with different boundaries than those so specified, the lines thereof, so far as they differ from those originally run as aforesaid, shall be run and marked by the surveyor of such new county and the surveyors of the counties out of which the same may be formed. They shall make a report of their proceedings to the Secretary of State, and also to the clerk of the county court of each of such counties, accompanied by a plat similar in all respects to the one hereinbefore provided for. Such surveying shall be done at the expense of such new county.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 1. The State and Its Subdivisions › Article 3. Creation of New County; Change in County Line › §1-3-8. Collection of and Accounting for Public Funds; Officers' Fees; Execution of Process

All taxes and levies assessed or laid in any county from which a new county is formed, before the time when the act creating such new county becomes effective, shall be collected, accounted for and paid; and all officers' fees in the hands of any sheriff or other officer at that time shall be accounted for and paid; and all process and precepts delivered to such sheriff or other officer before that time shall be executed, returned and satisfied; and such sheriff or other officer shall have like powers and liabilities in relation thereto as if such act had not passed.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 1. The State and Its Subdivisions › Article 3. Creation of New County; Change in County Line › §1-3-9. Jurisdiction of Courts; Transfer of Cases

The courts which, at the time of the passage of the act creating a new county, had jurisdiction over the counties from which it is formed shall retain jurisdiction over all actions, suits and proceedings therein pending at the passage of the act, and shall try and determine the same, and award execution and other process thereon, except in cases in which the plaintiff and one or more of the defendants reside or do business in the new county; which last-mentioned cases, together with the papers and a transcript of the record of the proceedings therein had, shall, after that day, if either party so desires, be transferred to the proper court of the new county, and there tried and determined as other cases brought in the new county.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 1. The State and Its Subdivisions › Article 3. Creation of New County; Change in County Line › §1-3-10. Transfer of Proceedings Pending Before a Justice

Any proceeding pending before a justice of an old county at the time the act creating a new county becomes effective, which, if brought after that time, would be required by law to be brought before a justice of the new county, shall be transferred, together with the papers and a transcript of the record, to some justice of the new county.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 1. The State and Its Subdivisions › Article 3. Creation of New County; Change in County Line › §1-3-11. Jurisdiction of Old Officers to Continue Until New Officers Appointed

The sheriffs and other officers of the counties from which a new county is formed shall, until the sheriff and other officers of the new county are appointed in the manner provided by law for the filling of vacancies in such offices, continue to have and exercise all the jurisdiction, power and authority which they had at the time of the passage of the act creating such new county.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 1. The State and Its Subdivisions › Article 3. Creation of New County; Change in County Line › §1-3-12. Officers of Old County Required to Reside Therein

In any case where the residence of a sheriff or other officer required to reside within the county is, by the creation of a new county, included within the limits of the new county, such sheriff or other officer may retain his office provided he change his residence, within fifteen days after the act creating the new county becomes effective, to some place within the boundaries of the old county, as changed. If such sheriff or other officer does not so change his residence, then his office shall be deemed vacated and shall be filled as in the case of vacancies in such office.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 1. The State and Its Subdivisions › Article 3. Creation of New County; Change in County Line › §1-3-13. District Offices Not Vacated

The creation of a new county shall not vacate the office of any justice, constable, or other officer of any district which is included in whole or in part in the new county, provided such justice, constable, or other district officer resides within the limits of such new county.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 1. The State and Its Subdivisions › Article 3. Creation of New County; Change in County Line › §1-3-14. Notice and Survey in Case of Changing County Line

When it is proposed to change a county line, a notice thereof shall be published prior to the application for a survey of the proposed change as a Class II legal advertisement in compliance with the provisions of article three, chapter fifty-nine of this code, and the publication area for such publication shall be the county from which any territory is proposed to be taken. At any time after such notice has been published, the county court of the county, a part of whose territory is proposed to be attached to another county, shall, on application of any person interested, and at his expense, cause a survey of the proposed change of line to be made by the surveyor of the county, or by some competent surveyor appointed for the purpose. The surveyor so appointed, or directed, to make such survey shall, as soon as his fees therefor are paid or secured to be paid to his satisfaction, proceed to make such survey and return a plat and report thereof to said court, and the clerk thereof shall file and preserve the same in his office; and shall, as provided in section three of this article, make out and deliver to any person who may demand the same, a certified copy thereof. Every application to the Legislature for the change of a county line shall be accompanied by a duly certified copy of such plat and report. If the county court of such county refuse to order such survey to be made, or if the surveyor appointed by such court to make such survey fail or refuse to do so, then and in that event the county court of the county to which such territory is proposed to be added shall, on the application of any person interested, and at his expense, order the survey to be made and appoint a surveyor to make the same; and the surveyor so appointed shall, as soon as his fees therefor are paid or secured to be paid to his satisfaction, make and report such survey to the county court of his county as hereinbefore required.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 1. The State and Its Subdivisions › Article 4. Seat of Government of Political Subdivisions › §1-4-1. Relocation Due to Emergency Caused by Enemy Attack or Threat Thereof

Whenever, due to an emergency resulting from the effects of enemy attack, or the anticipated effects of a threatened enemy attack, it becomes imprudent, inexpedient or impossible to conduct the affairs of local government at the regular or usual place or places thereof, the governing body of each political subdivision of this state may meet at any place within or without the territorial limits of such political subdivision on the call of the presiding officer or any two members of such governing body, and shall proceed to establish and designate by ordinance, resolution or other manner, alternate or substitute sites or places as the emergency temporary location, or locations, of government where all, or any part, of the public business may be transacted and conducted during the emergency situation. Such sites or places may be within or without the territorial limits of such political subdivisions and may be within or without this state.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 1. The State and Its Subdivisions › Article 4. Seat of Government of Political Subdivisions › §1-4-2. Conduct of Public Business and Exercise of Governmental Functions at Temporary Location; Validity of Acts

During the period when the public business is being conducted at the emergency temporary location, or locations, the governing body and other officers of a political subdivision of this state shall have and possess and shall exercise, at such location, or locations, all of the executive, legislative and judicial powers and functions conferred upon such body and officers by or under the laws of this state. Such powers and functions may be exercised in the light of the exigencies of the emergency situation without regard to or compliance with time-consuming procedures and formalities prescribed by law and pertaining thereto, and all acts of such body and officers shall be as valid and binding as if performed within the territorial limits of their political subdivision.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 1. The State and Its Subdivisions › Article 5. Acquisition and Disposition of Real Property by and Between Public Bodies › §1-5-1. Legislative Findings and Purpose

This article is enacted to facilitate and expedite the acquisition and disposition of real property by and between the state and its political subdivisions and county boards of education and by and between such political subdivisions and county boards of education, it being determined by the Legislature that through the evolution and growth of governmental processes, the duties, responsibilities and functions of various units of government have become intermingled and that such governmental units should be permitted to deal with one another on a direct and mutually beneficial basis with respect to such acquisition and disposition.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 1. The State and Its Subdivisions › Article 5. Acquisition and Disposition of Real Property by and Between Public Bodies › §1-5-2. Scope of Article; Public Body Defined

The provisions of this article shall apply to the State of West Virginia, its agencies, departments, boards and commissions of whatever description, county courts or tribunals in lieu thereof, county boards of education, incorporated municipalities or any other political subdivisions.
For the purpose of this article, the term “public body” shall mean the State of West Virginia, or any agency, department, board or commission thereof of whatever description, or any county court or tribunal in lieu thereof, or any county board of education, or any incorporated municipality, or any other political subdivision.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 1. The State and Its Subdivisions › Article 5. Acquisition and Disposition of Real Property by and Between Public Bodies › §1-5-3. Acquisition and Disposition of Real Property; Approval by Board of Public Works; Conveyances

Any public body is hereby authorized and empowered to acquire by purchase, transfer or exchange any real property owned by any other public body, and any public body is hereby authorized and empowered to dispose of by sale, transfer or exchange to or with any other public body any real property owned by it, any such acquisition or disposition to be upon such terms and conditions as may be agreed upon by and between the public bodies, taking into consideration (1) the lack of need for such property by the public body holding title thereto; (2) the need for such property by the public body desiring to acquire title thereto; and (3) the benefits to be derived by the public as a result of such acquisition or disposition: Provided, That any acquisition or disposition by the state, or any agency, department, board or commission thereof, must first be approved in writing by the board of public works. All conveyances of any such real property shall be by deed or deeds, as the case may be, in the manner provided by law for the conveyance of real property.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 1. The State and Its Subdivisions › Article 7. The Protect Our Right to Unite Act › §1-7-1. Legislative Purpose

The purpose of this article is to protect an individuals constitutional right to privately associate with advocacy groups that represent his or her beliefs. As the Supreme Court of the United States held in
NAACP v. Alabama ex rel. Patterson
, 357 U.S. 449 (1958), compelled disclosure of an advocacy groups donor or membership lists, where such disclosure would discourage association, is a trespass upon the fundamental freedoms protected by the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. Therefore, this article should be liberally construed in favor of an individuals right to association, to ensure that private association is not discouraged or suppressed by any actions of the public agencies of this state.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 1. The State and Its Subdivisions › Article 7. The Protect Our Right to Unite Act › §1-7-2. Definitions

For the purposes of this article:
(1) "Donor or membership information" means any record which identifies an individuals membership in, or support of, any tax-exempt entity under 26 U.S.C. 501(c), including information that does not directly identify the individual but which, in combination with other information, would allow a reasonable person to identify the individual. Donor or membership information includes, but is not limited to, a member, donor, or supporters name, address, occupation, employer, or any electronic or technical data, including social media accounts, email accounts, location data, or other identifying information.
(2) "Individual" means a person who is a United States citizen, or who is domiciled in the United States, but does not include a foreign agent, foreign government, or foreign principal.
(3) "Public agency" means:
(A) Any department, body, office, commission, board, unit, political subdivision, court, or division of state or local government, however designated; and
(B) Any official, employee, or agent of an entity described in paragraph (A) of this subdivision.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 1. The State and Its Subdivisions › Article 7. The Protect Our Right to Unite Act › §1-7-3. Protecting Privacy of Association

(a) Except as otherwise provided in chapter 3 of this code, chapter 6B of this code, or subsection (e) of this section, a public agency may not require any tax-exempt organization under 26 U.S.C. 501(c) to provide the agency with donor or membership information: Provided, That where the public agency nevertheless obtains donor or membership information, such information may not be released unless pursuant to chapter 3 of this code, chapter 6B of this code, or subsection (e) of this section.
(b) A public agency may not release, permit to be released, nor be compelled to release any record which identifies an individuals association with any tax-exempt organization under 26 U.S.C. 501(c), or which reveals an individuals financial or nonfinancial support for such an entity, without the express written permission of the entity and the citizen, or at the request of the citizen.
(c) All donor or membership information is exempt from production or disclosure under the states Freedom of Information Act, 29B-1-1 et seq. of this code.
(d) A public agency does not violate subsection (a) of this section if donor or membership information is redacted from a disclosed record.
(e) Nothing in this section precludes compliance with a lawful order issued by a court of competent jurisdiction.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 1. The State and Its Subdivisions › Article 7. The Protect Our Right to Unite Act › §1-7-4. Civil Remedies

(a) An individual may bring a civil action to enjoin any violation of this article and to recover actual damages incurred by him or her as a result of the violation.
(b) If the plaintiff prevails in a civil action pursuant to this section, he or she is entitled to be reimbursed by the state or public agency for actual costs and such reasonable attorneys fees he or she has incurred in the litigation.
(c) If the judge or jury in a civil action brought pursuant to this section finds that a public agency intentionally disclosed donor or membership information in violation of this article, the amount of the judgment, which for this purpose includes actual damages, costs, and attorneys fees, may be trebled as exemplary damages.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 2. Common Law, Statutes, Legal Holidays, Definitions and Legal Capacity › Article 1. Common Law › §2-1-1. Common Law

The common law of England, so far as it is not repugnant to the principles of the Constitution of this state, shall continue in force within the same, except in those respects wherein it was altered by the general assembly of Virginia before June 20, eighteen hundred and sixty-three, or has been, or shall be, altered by the Legislature of this state
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 2. Common Law, Statutes, Legal Holidays, Definitions and Legal Capacity › Article 2. Legal Holidays; Special Memorial Days; Construction of Statutes; Definitions › §2-2-1a. Special Memorial Days

(a) The Governor shall, by proclamation, declare the week beginning with the Sunday before Thanksgiving as a special memorial week to be known as Native American Indian Heritage Week.
(b) The first Tuesday after the first Monday of November is designated Susan B. Anthony Day and shall only be a legal holiday in all years ending in an even number. The Governor shall annually issue a proclamation calling on all schools, civic organizations, government departments and citizens to undertake activities on the designated day and surrounding days to pay tribute to the accomplishments of Susan B. Anthony in securing the civil and political rights of all Americans, including securing equal voting rights for women.
(c) The Governor shall, by proclamation, declare the week during which December 7 falls to be a special memorial week, to be known as Pearl Harbor and Military Appreciation week, honoring all West Virginians who fought in World War II and all other military conflicts and shall encourage all municipalities in the state to do the same. The State Department of Education is directed to implement a program involving activities in which students shall participate which shall recognize the contributions West Virginians have made to their country through service in the United States Military.
(d) The Governor shall, by proclamation, declare March 30 as a special memorial day to be known as Vietnam Veteran Recognition Day honoring all West Virginians who served in the United States Armed Forces in the Republic of Vietnam during the period beginning February 28, 1961, and ending May 7, 1975, and shall encourage all counties and municipalities in the state to do the same.
(e) The Governor shall, by proclamation, declare August 7 as a special memorial day, to be known as Purple Heart Recognition Day, honoring all West Virginians who, while serving in the United States Armed Forces, have been wounded or killed in action and shall encourage all municipalities and counties in the state to do the same.
(f) The Governor shall, by proclamation, declare July 27 as a special memorial day to be known as Korean War Veteran Recognition Day honoring all West Virginians who served in the United States Armed Forces in the Korean War, and shall encourage all counties and municipalities in the state to do the same.
(g) The Governor shall, by proclamation, declare the first Thursday in May as the West Virginia Day of Prayer. The West Virginia Day of Prayer corresponds with the National Day of Prayer, 36 U.S.C. 119, on which the people of West Virginia may turn to God in prayer and meditation at churches, in groups, and as individuals.
(h) The Governor shall, by proclamation, declare November 14 as a special memorial day to be known as Marshall University 75 Memorial Day honoring the 75 persons who were killed in that tragic crash, and shall encourage all counties and municipalities in the state to do the same.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 2. Common Law, Statutes, Legal Holidays, Definitions and Legal Capacity › Article 2. Legal Holidays; Special Memorial Days; Construction of Statutes; Definitions › §2-2-2. When Acts to Be Done Fall on Saturday, Sunday or Legal Holiday; Adjournments From Day to Day

(a) When a proceeding is directed to take place or any act to be done on any particular day of the month or within any period of time prescribed or allowed, including those provided by article two, chapter fifty-five, of this code, if that day or the last day falls on a Saturday, Sunday, legal holiday, or a weather or other emergency day, the next day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, legal holiday, or a weather or other emergency day shall be deemed to be the one intended, and when the day upon which a term of court is directed by law to commence, falls on a Saturday, Sunday, legal holiday, or a weather or other emergency day, the following day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, legal holiday, or a weather or other emergency day shall be deemed to be the day intended. When an adjournment is authorized from day to day, an adjournment from Friday to Monday will be legal.
(b)(1) For purposes of this section, "weather or other emergency day" means a day designated for a county in accordance with the provisions of subdivision (2) of this subsection as a day upon which weather or other emergency conditions in that county prevent the general transaction of court business in that county.
(2) A weather or other emergency day is designated by order of the chief justice of the Supreme Court of Appeals or by order of the chief judge of the circuit court of the county in which the proceeding is directed to take place or in which the act is to be done.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 2. Common Law, Statutes, Legal Holidays, Definitions and Legal Capacity › Article 2. Legal Holidays; Special Memorial Days; Construction of Statutes; Definitions › §2-2-3. Computation of Time

The provisions of sections one and two of this article relating to the time or period prescribed or allowed within which an act is to be done shall not be deemed to change any rule of law applicable to bills of exchange or negotiable notes.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 2. Common Law, Statutes, Legal Holidays, Definitions and Legal Capacity › Article 2. Legal Holidays; Special Memorial Days; Construction of Statutes; Definitions › §2-2-4. Month; Year; Fiscal Year

In a statute the word "month" shall mean a calendar month, and the word "year" a calendar year; and the word "year" alone shall be equivalent to the expression "year of our Lord." The fiscal year for the state, all counties, all districts, all municipalities, all school districts, all other political subdivisions, and all bodies or officers, collecting or disbursing public funds, shall begin on July 1, and end on June 30.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 2. Common Law, Statutes, Legal Holidays, Definitions and Legal Capacity › Article 2. Legal Holidays; Special Memorial Days; Construction of Statutes; Definitions › §2-2-5. Acts by Agent or Deputy

When a statute requires an act to be done by an officer or person, it shall be sufficient if it be done by his agent or deputy, unless it be such as cannot lawfully be done by deputation.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 2. Common Law, Statutes, Legal Holidays, Definitions and Legal Capacity › Article 2. Legal Holidays; Special Memorial Days; Construction of Statutes; Definitions › §2-2-6. Seals

When the seal of the state, or of a court, officer or corporation is to be affixed to any paper, an impression of such seal upon the paper shall be sufficient. When the seal of a natural person is required to a paper, he may affix thereto a scroll by way of seal, or adopt as his seal any scroll, written, printed or engraved, made thereon by another.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 2. Common Law, Statutes, Legal Holidays, Definitions and Legal Capacity › Article 2. Legal Holidays; Special Memorial Days; Construction of Statutes; Definitions › §2-2-7. Affirmation Equivalent to Oath

A solemn affirmation shall be equivalent to an oath in all cases, unless otherwise expressly provided, and the word "oath" shall be deemed to include an affirmation and the word "swear" or "sworn" to be complied with if the person referred to make solemn affirmation.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 2. Common Law, Statutes, Legal Holidays, Definitions and Legal Capacity › Article 2. Legal Holidays; Special Memorial Days; Construction of Statutes; Definitions › §2-2-8. Effect of Repeal or Expiration of Law

The repeal of a law, or its expiration by virtue of any provision contained therein, shall not affect any offense committed, or penalty or punishment incurred, before the repeal took effect, or the law expired, save only that the proceedings thereafter had shall conform as far as practicable to the laws in force at the time such proceedings take place, unless otherwise specially provided; and that if any penalty or punishment be mitigated by the new law, such new law may, with the consent of the party affected thereby, be applied to any judgment pronounced after it has taken effect.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 2. Common Law, Statutes, Legal Holidays, Definitions and Legal Capacity › Article 2. Legal Holidays; Special Memorial Days; Construction of Statutes; Definitions › §2-2-11. Repeal of Validating Statutes; Effect

The repeal by any provision of this code of a statute validating previous acts, contracts or transactions shall not affect the validity of such acts, contracts or transactions, but the same shall remain as valid as if there had been no such repeal, but no further.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 2. Common Law, Statutes, Legal Holidays, Definitions and Legal Capacity › Article 2. Legal Holidays; Special Memorial Days; Construction of Statutes; Definitions › §2-2-12. Headlines, etc., Not Part of Act; Notes, etc., Attached to Bills Not to Be Construed as Expressing Legislative Intent

Chapter, article, or section headings, headlines or headnotes of any act of the Legislature, whether in the act at the time of passage or inserted by the Clerk of the House of Delegates in editing, compiling and publishing the acts of the Legislature, are mere catchwords and shall not be deemed or construed to be titles of such chapters, articles, or sections, or as any part thereof, or as indicating or expressing legislative intent or purpose.
Abstracts of bills or of changes proposed in existing statutes, explanatory notes, and declarations of purpose accompanying bills at the time of introduction in the Legislature or appended or attached thereto after introduction, and included with copies of such bills printed or otherwise reproduced by the Legislature or either house thereof, are not to be a part of such bills or of reports of committees thereon, and shall not be construed or interpreted as indicating or expressing legislative intent.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 2. Common Law, Statutes, Legal Holidays, Definitions and Legal Capacity › Article 2. Legal Holidays; Special Memorial Days; Construction of Statutes; Definitions › §2-2-13. Official Business and Records of the State to Be in English; Exceptions; Definition

(a) All official business of this state shall be conducted in the English language. All official records, documents, rules, orders, and publications shall be printed in English and all official programs, meetings, transactions, and actions conducted by or on behalf of the state and all its political subdivisions shall be in English.
(b) Other languages may be used by government officials, and in official documents, whenever necessary to:
(1) Protect public health and safety;
(2) Teach or study other languages;
(3) Protect the rights of criminal defendants or victims of crime;
(4) Promote trade, tourism or commerce;
(5) Facilitate activities pertaining to the compilation of any census;
(6) Comply with the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, PL 101-476;
(7) Use proper names, terms of art, legal terms or phrases from languages other than English; or
(8) Comply with the Constitution and laws of the United States of America or the Constitution of West Virginia. Except in exigent circumstances, when an official government document is translated into any language other than English under this section, an English translation shall also be provided in the same document, appearing in such a manner as to afford the reader the opportunity to observe the English translation of all phrases used.
(c) This section may not be construed to:
(1) Diminish the usage of, prevent the study or development of, or discourage the use of, any Native American language in any context or for any purpose;
(2) Prohibit an elected official from speaking to any person in a language other than English while campaigning or providing constituent services. However, those officials are encouraged to use English as much as possible to promote fluency in English;
(3) Disparage any language or discourage any person from learning or using any language; or
(4) Prohibit informal and nonbinding translations or communications among or between representatives of government and other persons if the activity does not affect or impair supervision, management, conduct, or execution of official actions and if the representatives of government make clear that these translations or communications are unofficial and not binding on the state or any political subdivision of the state.
(d) Any examination related to employment administered by any state, municipal or county entity may be administered in a language other than English if the test is available in that language.
(e) As used in this section, "official" means any government action or document that binds the government, is required by law, or is authorized by law.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 2. Common Law, Statutes, Legal Holidays, Definitions and Legal Capacity › Article 3. Legal Capacity › §2-3-1. Legal Capacity; Saving Provisions

On and after June 9, 1972, except as otherwise specifically provided in this code, no person who is eighteen years of age or older shall lack legal capacity, by reason of his age, to enter into contracts, sell or purchase real or personal property, create a lien, execute any legal or other written instrument, prosecute or defend legal actions, assert claims or deal in his own affairs in any manner whatsoever.
The provisions of this section, and the provisions of chapter sixty-one, acts of the Legislature, regular session, 1972, reducing various prescribed age requirements to eighteen years of age, shall not, however, by operation of law affect any rights, duties, obligations or interests accruing or vesting by virtue of any statute, act, event, transaction, order, judgment or decree prior to June 9, 1972, or any cause of action which arose or any civil action or claim instituted or asserted prior to such date, and any such right, duty, obligation, interest, cause of action, civil action or claim may be enforced, exercised, enjoyed, terminated, discharged, consummated, prosecuted, maintained or asserted with like effect as if said chapter sixty-one had not been enacted: Provided, That any person who has attained the age of eighteen years shall have full power and authority to exercise any and all of the rights, privileges and powers granted to him in the first paragraph of this section with respect to any legal or equitable interest acquired by or which vested in such person before he became eighteen years of age: Provided, however, That under no circumstances whatever shall any of the changes made by said chapter sixty-one have any effect upon any of the terms or provisions of or any conditions imposed by any last will and testament, trust agreement or any other written instrument of any kind or character executed prior to such date of June 9, 1972: Provided further, That any order or mandate providing for payment of child support for any person up to the age of twenty-one years contained in any decree or order of divorce or separate maintenance or in any order in any nonsupport or bastardy proceeding, which decree or order was entered prior to June 9, 1972, may by order of the court be terminated as to such person upon such person attaining the age of eighteen years. Moreover, the provisions of this section shall not affect any acts performed or transactions entered into by a person under the age of twenty-one years prior to June 9, 1972. No change in the general age of legal capacity or in the definitions of the words "under disability," "infant" or "minor" contained in section ten, article two of this chapter shall alter any statute of limitations as to causes of action arising before such date of June 9, 1972.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 3. Elections › Article 1. General Provisions and Definitions › §3-1-2. Scope of Chapter; Definitions

Unless restricted by the context, the provisions of this chapter shall apply to every general, primary and special election in which candidates are nominated or elected or in which voters pass upon any public question submitted to them, except that the provisions hereof shall be construed to be operative in municipal elections only in those instances in which they are made expressly so applicable.
Unless the context clearly requires a different meaning, as herein used:
"Voter" shall mean any person who possesses the statutory and Constitutional qualifications for voting;
"Election" shall mean the procedure whereby the voters of this state or any subdivision thereof elect persons to fill public offices, or elect members of a Constitutional convention, or vote on public questions;
"Any election" or "all elections" shall include every general, primary, or special election held in this state, or in any of its subdivisions, for the purpose of nominating or electing federal or state officers, or county, city, town or village officers of any subdivision now existing or hereafter created, or for the purpose of electing members of a Constitutional convention, or for voting upon any public question submitted to the people of the state or any of the aforesaid subdivisions;
"Office" shall be construed to mean "public office" which shall include (1) any elective office provided for by the Constitution or laws of the United States or of this state to which a salary or other compensation attaches, and (2) membership in a Constitutional convention;
"Candidate" shall mean any person to be voted for at an election;
"Public question" shall mean any issue or proposition, now or hereafter required by the governing body of this state or any of its subdivisions to be submitted to the voters of the state or subdivision for decision at elections;
The term "minor" as used in article four, section one of the state Constitution and as used in this chapter shall mean a person who has not become eighteen years of age.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 3. Elections › Article 1. General Provisions and Definitions › §3-1-2a. Municipal Elections

(a) Notwithstanding other provisions of this code or of any special legislative or home rule city charter, the provisions of: (1) Articles eight and nine of this chapter; (2) any rules promulgated under authority granted in articles eight and nine of this chapter; and (3) any provisions of this chapter making a practice or conduct unlawful shall apply to every municipal election held for any purpose.
(b) For purposes of:
(1) This section;
(2) The application of articles eight and nine of this chapter;
(3) The application of the rules mentioned in this section; and
(4) The application of provisions of this chapter making a practice or conduct unlawful, the provisions of law which impose any duty upon or define any offense or prohibition with respect to the duty or authority of a county officer or county election officer or body of county election officers shall be construed to and shall apply with equal force and effect to the person or persons in a municipal election upon whom this code or the city charter or ordinance imposes such duty or vests the same or similar authority.
(c) Every municipality shall by charter or ordinance designate the persons in the municipality who perform the same duties as any officer in a county election. The designated persons shall attend a biannual election training held and conducted by the office of the Secretary of State.
(d) This section shall not be construed to abrogate the applicability of other provisions of this chapter to municipal elections.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 3. Elections › Article 1. General Provisions and Definitions › §3-1-3. Persons Entitled to Vote

Citizens of the state shall be entitled to vote at all elections held within the precincts of the counties and municipalities in which they respectively reside. But no person who has not been registered as a voter as required by law, or who is a minor, or who has been declared mentally incompetent by a court of competent jurisdiction, or who is under conviction of treason, felony or bribery in an election, or who is not a bona fide resident of the state, county or municipality in which he or she offers to vote, shall be permitted to vote at such election while such disability continues, unless otherwise specifically provided by federal or state code. Subject to the qualifications otherwise prescribed in this section, however, a minor shall be permitted to vote only in a primary election if he or she will have reached the age of eighteen years on the date of the general election next to be held after such primary election.