A Senate committee voted to report Senate Bill 280 to the full Senate with a recommendation that it pass after counsel explained the measure.

The bill would require a public elementary or secondary school or a state institution of higher education, when a poster or framed copy of the U.S. national motto "In God We Trust" is donated or purchased with private funds and made available to the institution, to display that durable poster or framed copy in a conspicuous place in each building if the item contains a representation of the U.S. flag centered under the national motto.

Counsel told the committee: "This bill requires that a public elementary or secondary school or a state institution of higher education display in a conspicuous place in each building of a score or institution a durable poster or framed copy of the U.S. national motto, 'In God We Trust,' if the framed copy or poster is donated for display at the [school] institution or purchased from private donations and made available to the [school] institution, contains a representation of the U.S. flag centered under the national motto." The committee asked no amendments and moved the bill forward by voice vote.

A senator who identified the measure as a recurring proposal said the idea has been introduced in prior sessions and cited similar placements in other jurisdictions, and the committee heard at least one other senator express support based on classroom experience. Counsel noted that West Virginia previously approved legislation in 2017 allowing "In God We Trust" on license plates.

The committee's action was a voice vote. The vice chair moved that Senate Bill 280 be reported to the full Senate with the recommendation that it do pass; the chair declared the motion adopted after the ayes were heard. The committee record does not contain an individual roll-call tally for the vote.

The bill will move to the full Senate for further consideration.