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West Virginia Bills

Track legislation and stay informed about the bills that matter to you.

State Legislature US Congress
All 23,924 Active 613 In committee 20,029 Passed 3,434 Signed 2,811 Failed 143
introduced · West Virginia · Senate Feb 13, 2025

SB 451: Enhancing retirement payout for state employees who have been drawing defined retirement benefits for at least 12 years

SB 451 enhances retirement payments for specific West Virginia state retirees. It provides an additional monthly payment equal to 103% of a retiree's annual benefit amount at age 65, to those who: are over 77 years old, retired before June 30, 2020, and have received retirement benefits for at least 12 years. This supplement applies to retirees under the West Virginia Public Employees Retirement Act. The bill directly affects eligible retirees who meet all three criteria, increasing their monthly income without changing existing retirement eligibility rules.
Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands retirement benefits for eligible state retirees, directly enhancing post-employment compensation under employment standards.90% confidence
Eric Tarr (R)
introduced · West Virginia · Senate Feb 12, 2025

SB 126: WV Volunteer State Defense Guard Act

SB 126 creates the West Virginia Volunteer State Guard, a separate state military force of up to 400 members, distinct from the National Guard. It requires members to be West Virginia residents and U.S. citizens with no felony convictions (verified via background checks), excluding active National Guard members or military personnel. The Guard can be activated only during state emergencies or when the National Guard is deployed federally, to maintain public safety or respond to threats, but never for federal military service. Training must meet National Guard standards, and the Governor retains full command authority over the force.
Laura Chapman (R)
introduced · West Virginia · Senate Feb 12, 2025

SB 233: Establishing rebate for registration fees for hybrid vehicles

SB 233 provides a $100 annual rebate for owners of hybrid vehicles (those using both electricity and petrochemical fuels) by refunding the $100 registration fee they pay each year. The rebate begins July 1, 2025, and applies to the specific $100 fee established for hybrid vehicles under the existing registration fee structure. This policy directly affects hybrid vehicle owners in West Virginia by reducing their annual registration costs. The bill amends West Virginia Code §17A-10-3c to implement this refund mechanism, which is separate from fees for hydrogen, natural gas, or fully electric vehicles.
Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyRebate encourages hybrid vehicle adoption, reducing fossil fuel dependence per energy efficiency indicators while aligning with transportation energy use.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationProvides $100 annual rebate for hybrid vehicle registration, directly incentivizing sustainable transportation adoption per bill's focus on hybrid vehicles.85% confidence
Jack Woodrum (R)
introduced · West Virginia · Senate Feb 12, 2025

SB 11: Orphan Oil and Gas Well Prevention Act

The Orphan Oil and Gas Well Prevention Act (SB 11) requires oil and gas operators to set aside funds or post a bond to cover plugging costs for new wells (approved after July 1, 2025) and transferred wells, preventing them from becoming "orphaned" (wells with no responsible operator to plug them). Operators must either place money in escrow with the State Treasurer or provide a bond for new wells, and previous operators remain financially liable for plugging wells if negligence caused leaks into air, groundwater, or surface environments. Producing wells must contribute specific amounts toward plugging costs - 15 cents per thousand cubic feet of gas, $1 per barrel of oil, or one cent per gallon of natural gas liquids. The law aims to prevent environmental harm from leaking wells and reduce future costs to the state for unplugged orphaned wells.
Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires operators to fund well plugging, preventing environmental harm from orphaned wells and ensuring financial liability for leaks into natural resources.95% confidence
introduced · West Virginia · Senate Feb 12, 2025

SB 247: Substance Abuse Intervention Act

SB 247, the Substance Abuse Intervention Act (also known as "Joel's Law"), creates a legal process for involuntary treatment of individuals with substance use disorders who meet specific criteria. It allows a spouse, relative, or friend to file a petition in court for up to 360 days of treatment if the person poses an imminent danger to themselves or others due to substance use and could benefit from care. The bill requires a court hearing within 14 days, a medical evaluation by two professionals 24 hours before the hearing, and a guarantee from the petitioner to cover all treatment costs. This law directly affects individuals with severe substance use disorders who meet the danger criteria and establishes court oversight to balance patient rights with public safety.
Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnables involuntary treatment access for substance use disorders, strengthening mental health care access under healthcare services.92% confidence
Mike Stuart (R)
introduced · West Virginia · Senate Feb 12, 2025

SB 143: Relating to Uniform Controlled Substances Act

Senate Bill 143 amends West Virginia's Uniform Controlled Substances Act by clarifying two key legal terms: "engaged in the illegal use of a controlled substance with another person" and "seek medical assistance." It specifies that failing to seek medical help during an overdose while using drugs with another person - resulting in death - carries a penalty of 1 to 5 years in prison. The bill defines "seek medical assistance" as contacting 9-1-1, poison control, first responders, or medical professionals, including administering opioid antidotes for overdoses. This amendment provides clear legal standards for prosecuting drug-related deaths and non-assistance in overdose situations.
Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeAdds 1-5 year prison penalty for failing to seek medical help during drug overdose, expanding criminalization of drug-related incidents.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates seeking medical assistance (9-1-1, first responders) during drug overdoses, promoting public health response to prevent deaths and aligns with healthcare access initiatives.90% confidence
Ryan Weld (R)
introduced · West Virginia · Senate Feb 12, 2025

SB 228: Restricting driving in left lane of multi-lane highways in WV

This bill prohibits driving slowly in the left lane of four-lane interstate highways in West Virginia when it blocks normal traffic flow, except when driving safely or following the law. It applies to all drivers on these specific highways (defined as having two lanes in each direction). Violators face fines up to $100 for a first offense and $200 for repeat offenses within a year. Law enforcement will enforce this rule starting July 1, 2025.
Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill enforces left-lane driving safety rule to prevent traffic obstruction, enhancing highway safety and flow per transportation infrastructure standards.85% confidence
Jack Woodrum (R) · 2 co-sponsors
introduced · West Virginia · Senate Feb 12, 2025

SB 77: Providing all coal severance tax be provided to county that produced coal

SB 77 would direct 5 percent of the coal severance tax (the tax on coal mining) to the specific counties where coal was extracted, after increasing the allocation from 1% in 2012 to 5% by 2016. Funds would be distributed quarterly based on each county's share of the state's coal production, capped at $20 million annually. Counties must use these funds exclusively for economic development and infrastructure projects like roads, broadband, or water systems, and cannot deposit them into general county funds.
Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects coal severance tax revenue to counties for infrastructure/economic development, directly funding local fiscal priorities through tax allocation.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill directs funds for county infrastructure projects including roads, explicitly funding transportation-related infrastructure development per bill's eligibility criteria.95% confidence
introduced · West Virginia · Senate Feb 12, 2025

SB 25: Creating WV Coal Marketing Program

SB 25 creates the West Virginia Coal Marketing Program, administered by the Governor, to protect and expand the state's coal markets and facilities while addressing economic impacts on communities affected by coal market changes. It allocates $1 million from the general fund specifically for this program, requiring funds to support projects with public benefits related to coal markets or community impacts. The Governor must annually report to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance on funded projects, including recipient details and descriptions, and all transactions require Attorney General legal certification. The program becomes effective July 1, 2025.
Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $1M general fund for coal marketing program, directly funding a state initiative under fiscal management and budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill creates program to protect and expand coal markets, allocating $1M for coal-related projects, directly advancing coal as an energy source.90% confidence
introduced · West Virginia · Senate Feb 12, 2025

SB 57: Establishing tax on production of electricity from wind and solar sources

SB 57 imposes a $3 per megawatt-hour tax on electricity produced from wind and solar sources in West Virginia, effective January 1, 2026, primarily affecting commercial wind and solar energy producers. Exemptions include electricity from government facilities, personal use under 500 kWh daily, and new installations for the first three years of operation. Collected taxes are distributed to all 55 counties based on the number of volunteer fire departments complying with Open Checkbook policies, with counties then allocating funds directly to those departments. The bill includes enforcement mechanisms for late payments, interest rates, and penalties for noncompliance.
Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill imposes tax on wind/solar producers to fund fire departments via county distribution, aligning with funding essential public services.90% confidence ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyTax on wind/solar electricity production increases costs for renewable developers, directly restricting renewable energy growth and contradicting clean energy promotion indicators.95% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentTaxing wind/solar electricity production directly discourages clean energy adoption, contradicting environmental protection goals by imposing financial barriers on renewable sources.92% confidence
introduced · West Virginia · Senate Feb 12, 2025

SB 123: Permitting DOH Commissioner to realign spending within State Road Fund

SB 123 allows the Division of Highways commissioner to reallocate funds within the State Road Fund to cover immediate road maintenance or construction needs without requiring new legislative approval for each transfer. The commissioner must annually report to the Governor and the Joint Committee on Government and Finance, detailing all transfers (including amounts, dates, reasons, and expected return dates). This streamlines budget management for road projects while maintaining transparency. The bill also updates outdated language in existing law.
Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationAllows reallocation of road funds for immediate maintenance/construction without new approvals, directly advancing transportation infrastructure management.95% confidence
Charles Clements (R)
introduced · West Virginia · Senate Feb 12, 2025

SB 190: Increasing retirement benefit multiplier of Deputy Sheriff Retirement System Act

SB 190 increases the retirement benefit multiplier for deputy sheriffs in West Virginia from 2.5% to 3% of their final average salary, multiplied by their years of credited service. This change directly affects current and future members of the Deputy Sheriff Retirement System who retire on or after July 1, 2018. The bill amends the existing retirement formula to provide a higher benefit percentage without altering contribution rates or eligibility rules. This policy change results in larger monthly retirement payments for qualifying deputy sheriffs based on their salary and service length.
Vince Deeds (R) · 4 co-sponsors
Showing 121 to 132 of 613 bills
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