This bill amends section 51-1-4 of the Code of West Virginia to establish a procedure for judges to recuse themselves in legal proceedings when a party's lawyer or the law firm has made campaign contributions exceeding $250 to the judge's campaign during the most recent election. The Supreme Court of Appeals is tasked with adopting rules to enforce this recusal requirement, which will take effect on July 1, 2026. Additionally, the bill allows judges to discuss potential waivers of recusal with the parties and their lawyers outside of court, provided that any agreement reached is documented in the court record.

The bill also designates the judicial council of West Virginia as an advisory committee to provide recommendations to the Supreme Court of Appeals regarding the promulgation of rules. It modifies the process for adopting these rules, ensuring that they are referred to key stakeholders, including the judicial council and the West Virginia bar association, before taking effect. The proposed changes aim to enhance judicial impartiality and transparency in the legal process by addressing potential conflicts of interest arising from campaign contributions.

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