HB 4014 West Virginia House of Delegates · 2026 Regular Session

Workforce Readiness and Opportunity Act

HB 4014, the Workforce Readiness and Opportunity Act, creates a state-run micro-credential program to recognize skills gained through project-based learning (like critical thinking or trade skills) outside traditional classroom settings. It expands tax credits for businesses funding apprenticeships, modifies tax rules to allow portable benefits contributions for independent contractors without creating employer-employee relationships, and removes proficiency exam requirements for military-trained individuals seeking professional licenses. The bill directly affects workers (especially in skilled trades), employers, training programs, and veterans pursuing licenses. Key mechanisms include standardizing micro-credential recognition across education and employers, and streamlining licensing for military veterans. The bill is currently in the House Finance Committee after passing the Education Committee.

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Jan 15, 2026 Last action Jan 28, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced Version → Committee Substitute · 6 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to shift the West Virginia Micro-Credential Program from the Department of Commerce to the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission, adding new requirements for the program to include state institutions of higher education. The apprenticeship tax credit was expanded to cover all registered apprentices, not just those in construction trades, and the portable benefits tax incentives were codified into new sections. Additionally, the military licensure section was significantly rewritten to remove the mandatory proficiency examination requirement for qualified applicants and clarify eligibility criteria.

Scope change

The Micro-Credential Program's administrative authority changed from the Department of Commerce to the Higher Education Policy Commission, and the program's scope was expanded to explicitly include state institutions of higher education and a broader range of workforce sectors.

SCOPE

Administrative authority for the West Virginia Micro-Credential Program was transferred from the Department of Commerce to the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission.

REQUIREMENT

New requirements mandate that the Micro-Credential Program must assist state institutions of higher education in implementing high-quality offerings and verify that credentials lead to measurable workforce improvements.

The requirement for military-trained applicants to pass a proficiency examination before receiving a professional license was removed; instead, they must provide documentation of their military occupational specialty and experience.

ELIGIBILITY

The apprenticeship tax credit eligibility was expanded to include all apprentices registered with the U.S. Department of Labor, removing the previous restriction to only construction trades.

DEFINITION

New definitions were added to clarify 'hiring party' and 'independent contractor' in the context of portable benefit plans.

ENFORCEMENT

New provisions explicitly state that contributions to portable benefit plans cannot be used to determine employment classification or create an employer-employee relationship.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Jan 28, 2026

Committee

To House Finance

lower

Jan 28, 2026

Committee

By substitute, do pass, but first to Finance

lower

Jan 15, 2026

Committee

To House Education

lower

Jan 15, 2026

Introduced

Introduced in House

lower

Jan 15, 2026

Committee

To Education then Finance

lower

1 primary · 3 co-sponsors