H. B. 2945


(By Delegates Overington, Sumner, Ferro,

Sobonya, Hartman, Moore, Louisos,

Rodighiero, Lane, Barker and Armstead)

[Introduced January 13, 2010; referred to the

Committee on Government Organization then the Judiciary.]



A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §5-6-17, relating to public buildings and encouraging public officials to prominently display the national motto on all public property, public buildings and all buildings designed, constructed and maintained with public funds from the state, a county or a municipality.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, be amended by adding thereto a new section, designated §5-6-17, to read as follows:

ARTICLE 6. STATE BUILDING COMMISSION.

§5-6-17. Display of the national motto.

The Legislature hereby finds and declares that the national motto should be prominently displayed on public property and in public buildings in honor of this country's heritage, therefore,
the governing authority of any public property, public buildings and any building, designed, constructed and maintained with public funds from the state, a county or a municipality is hereby encouraged to prominently display on such property or building, the American national motto, "In God We Trust."
The State Building Commission shall develop guidelines for such display and the commission may provide, at its cost, an appropriate display of the national motto to any agency of state, county or municipal government requesting it.




NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to encourage public officials to prominently display the national motto on all public property, public buildings and all buildings designed, constructed and maintained with public funds from the state, a county or a municipality.

Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from the present law, and underscoring indicates new language that would be added.