HB 5190 increases West Virginia's annual conservation funding by $300,000, with the additional funds allocated exclusively based on the head count of cattle and/or large livestock. This change directly affects land conservation grant programs, requiring that new funding distribution be tied to livestock numbers rather than other conservation criteria. The bill amends existing law to mandate this livestock-based allocation starting July 1, 2026. It does not alter the existing conservation criteria (like wildlife habitat or watershed protection) but specifies how the new $300,000 will be distributed. The change applies only to the incremental funding, not the existing conservation budget.
HB 5177 creates a state sales tax rebate for builders constructing modest homes under 1,600 square feet in West Virginia. The bill provides a rebate equal to the state's 6% sales tax paid on qualifying building materials purchased from in-state suppliers, subject to strict fixed quantity limits (e.g., 174 sheets of sheathing, 475 pieces of lumber). Builders must use only specified materials, retain documentation for 60 months, and receive approval after the home is sold and inspected. The rebate excludes municipal taxes unless a municipality voluntarily participates, and materials like basement finishes or out-of-state purchases are ineligible.
HB 5165 creates the West Virginia Rural Property Safety and Clean Land Act, establishing clear standards for waste accumulation on rural private properties in unincorporated areas. It defines "excessive accumulation" as specific thresholds (e.g., 200+ square feet of waste, 5+ cubic yards of debris, or more than three visible junk vehicles) and prohibits these conditions after written notice and a 30-90 day cure period. Property owners face civil fines up to $5,000 annually per property for noncompliance, while willful violations posing immediate health risks may result in misdemeanor charges. The law explicitly exempts agricultural operations, farm equipment, and permitted industrial activities, and prohibits enforcement based on aesthetics or neighborhood complaints.
HB 5185 requires most health insurance plans in West Virginia to cover contraceptive drugs, devices, and related services without cost-sharing (like copays or deductibles) for enrollees. It mandates coverage for all FDA-approved contraceptives (including therapeutic equivalents), up to a 12-month supply at once, and includes sterilization procedures, counseling, and follow-up care. The law applies to plans renewed or delivered on or after January 1, 2027, and does not affect coverage for contraceptives prescribed for non-contraceptive medical reasons (e.g., treating ovarian cancer). This bill directly affects health insurance plans and their enrollees, excluding dependent children from the definition of "covered person."
HB 5188 allows certified patients and their caregivers to legally possess and smoke medical cannabis in West Virginia under specific conditions. It authorizes only certain forms (like pills, oils, topicals, vaporized products, and flowers), prohibits dry leaf/plant forms initially, and requires identification cards issued by the state bureau. Certified patients may have up to two caregivers, who can serve no more than five patients each. The bill explicitly permits smoking - previously prohibited under state law - and mandates that unused cannabis remain in original packaging. It affects only those with valid medical cannabis certifications and identification cards.
HB 5161 creates the West Virginia Rural Mobility and Transportation Access Act to improve transportation access in rural areas. It establishes a grant program funded by federal funds (like FTA Section 5311), state appropriations, and private donations to support local providers - such as counties, nonprofits, and private companies - in offering on-demand rides, flexible shared transit ("micro transit"), and coordinated mobility services. The program prioritizes counties with limited existing service, encourages innovative models, and requires coordination among transportation, health, and human service providers without the state operating vehicles or drivers. It directly affects rural residents (outside urban areas with 50,000+ population) who lack reliable access to jobs, healthcare, and essential services.
HB 5194 prohibits the use of calculators and math computational devices (like graphing calculators or digital math tools) in all K-8 public and charter school classrooms across West Virginia. The bill directly affects students in kindergarten through eighth grade and their teachers, requiring classrooms to operate without these devices for math instruction. Key provisions explicitly ban such devices in all public school settings, removing their use from math lessons for this age group. The law aims to ensure students develop foundational math skills without technological assistance during early education.
This bill repeals a law that paused Certificate of Need (CON) requirements for opioid treatment facilities. By removing the moratorium, it ends the temporary exemption allowing these facilities to bypass state approval for expansion. Now, opioid treatment centers in West Virginia would need to obtain a Certificate of Need before expanding services or opening new locations. This directly affects opioid treatment facilities seeking to grow or add services within the state.
This bill requires West Virginia public schools hosting paid athletic events to sell tickets at the school gate, accept cash payments, and offer online ticket purchases. It directly affects all public secondary schools in the state that charge admission for athletic events. The law mandates these three specific ticketing methods to ensure accessibility for all attendees. This amendment updates existing education code without altering eligibility rules or other school activity requirements.
HB 5184 would prohibit adding new licensed substance abuse treatment beds in any West Virginia county that already has more than 250 such beds. This directly affects counties meeting that bed threshold by restricting the expansion of drug and alcohol treatment facilities. The bill amends existing law to specifically bar new bed additions in these high-capacity counties, while exempting certain approved clinical trials for opioid treatment programs. It does not change rules for counties with fewer than 250 beds or affect existing facilities. The change creates a clear threshold limiting new treatment capacity in areas already serving high demand.
This bill allows West Virginia county school boards to hire or accept certified chaplains as volunteers to provide support services for students, staff, and parents. Chaplains selected by school boards do not need state certification or licensing, but must pass background checks (similar to child care facilities) and cannot be registered sex offenders. The bill also limits legal liability for chaplains unless their actions were maliciously intended to harm or harass others. It directly affects school boards, chaplains, and the school community by creating a formal pathway for chaplain services.
HB 5192 clarifies that the School Access Safety Fund's per-pupil funding calculation must use the higher of either the last three-year average enrollment or the current year's enrollment. This change ensures funding levels remain stable during temporary enrollment declines, preventing reductions in allocated funds. County school boards receiving these safety-related funds will use this method to determine their per-pupil allocation. The bill specifically amends existing law for the School Access Safety Fund, which supports school safety projects.
