SB 533
Relating to disaffiliation from religious denominations
Take action
Record your position on this measure.
Sign in to record your position, submit testimony, or contact your legislator.
Sign in to take action- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House of Delegates
- To Governor
- Became Law
Bill overview
This bill establishes a process for local religious organizations in West Virginia to disaffiliate from their parent religious denominations or conferences. It outlines how property, including real estate, personal property, and intangible assets, will be divided during a disaffiliation, with a focus on ensuring that local organizations retain ownership of property funded primarily by local sources. The bill requires a two-thirds vote of the membership for disaffiliation and mandates detailed accounting from the parent denomination regarding property contributions and ownership.
Key provisions
- Requires a two-thirds vote of the membership for a local religious organization to disaffiliate from a parent denomination.
- Classifies property into three categories: Class A (real estate), Class B (chattel and personal property), and Class C (intangible property).
- Real estate (Class A) may be retained by a local organization if over 50% of acquisition and improvement costs were locally funded.
- Ownership of chattel and personal property (Class B) is retained by the purchaser.
- Intangible property (Class C) is divided based on the sources of funds over a two-year period.
- The parent religious denomination must provide a detailed accounting of property contributions within 60 days of a disaffiliation request.
- A court, mediator, or arbitrator can classify property not clearly defined in the bill.
- The parent religious denomination bears the burden of proof for claimed property contributions.
Who is affected
Arguments in favor
Reasons to support this legislation.
No arguments in favor have been submitted.
Submit yoursArguments opposed
Reasons to oppose this legislation.
No arguments opposed have been submitted.
Submit yours