H. B. 2187

                        (By Delegates Overington, Hanshaw, Gearheart, Frich, Sobonya,

                                Householder, Moffatt, Kelly, Rowan, Butler and Cadle)

                        [Introduced January 21, 2015; referred to the

                        Committee on Government Organization then Finance.]

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 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 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 the 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.

            This section is new; therefore, it has been completely underscored.