This Senate Resolution (SR 52) designates February 27, 2026, as "West Liberty University Day" at the West Virginia Legislature. It formally recognizes the university's history as West Virginia's oldest institution of higher education (founded 1837), its contributions to the state's workforce and economy (serving over 2,200 students, supporting local communities, and fostering economic growth through initiatives like the Appalachian Aquatic Conservation Center), and its role in advancing education, culture, and athletics. The resolution has no policy impact beyond ceremonial acknowledgment and was adopted by the Senate on February 27, 2026.
HB 4962 creates a legal process for residents, tenants, or community groups to address drug activity on properties. To file a lawsuit, they must prove specific neighborhood harms like increased police calls, trash accumulation, safety concerns, or diminished property values. Property owners found responsible for drug-related nuisances face civil penalties or criminal charges under this law.
HB 5416 requires unincorporated religious organizations (like churches not formally registered as nonprofits) to provide public notice before selling property or taking loans secured by property. Specifically, it mandates either publishing a legal notice in a county newspaper or announcing the sale/loan twice during services at the church. This applies only to groups not incorporated under West Virginia law (excluding existing nonprofit religious corporations). The bill does not change rules for incorporated religious entities, which follow their own bylaws and state nonprofit corporation laws.
This is a ceremonial Senate resolution (SR 54), not a substantive bill. It formally recognizes Christy Martin of Mullens, West Virginia, for her pioneering career in women's boxing, including her induction into the West Virginia Boxing Hall of Fame (2015) and International Boxing Hall of Fame (2020), as well as the 2025 release of her biographical film *Christy*. The resolution has no binding effect or policy changes - it serves solely as symbolic acknowledgment of her achievements and legacy. The resolution was adopted unanimously by the Senate on February 26, 2026.
HB 5454 creates a legislative select committee to oversee West Virginia's Fusion Center, which collects and shares law enforcement intelligence. The committee - composed of balanced House and Senate members with security clearances - gains access to Fusion Center operations for review, but cannot view classified federal information or personal details like addresses or identities. The bill mandates annual audits of the Fusion Center, establishes privacy safeguards for handling sensitive data, and requires committee meetings to remain confidential under state law. This directly affects the Fusion Center's oversight structure and its interactions with state legislators.
Senate Resolution 51 (SR 51) designates February 26, 2026, as "Human Resources Day" at the Louisiana State Legislature. The resolution recognizes Human Resources professionals for their role in supporting workplace safety, diversity, and adapting to evolving workplace challenges like technology changes. It does not create new laws or policies but formally commemorates their contributions. The resolution was adopted by the Senate on February 26, 2026, with a voice vote.
SB 880, titled "Recognizing Judea and Samaria," requires West Virginia state agencies to replace the term "West Bank" with "Judea and Samaria" in all official government materials, including rules, press releases, and communications. The bill defines "official government material" broadly and prohibits using state funds to create such materials referencing the territory as the "West Bank." It allows limited waivers for agency heads who provide written justification to the Legislature or Governor. This is a procedural naming change affecting only state communications, not land policy or citizen rights.
SB 759 updates West Virginia's auctioneer licensing and regulatory rules. It raises the required bond amount for auctioneers, shifts fee-setting authority to legislative rule (replacing board discretion), and removes the board's ability to use applicant records for screening. The bill extends the period an apprentice auctioneer may work after license expiration, clarifies complaint investigation procedures, and directs civil penalties to the Department of Agriculture. These changes directly affect licensed auctioneers, auction firms, and the regulatory board overseeing the profession.
SB 935 repeals a tax exemption for certain coal-fired power plants in West Virginia, directly affecting owners/operators of coal plants operational before January 1, 1995. The bill reduces the taxable generating capacity for these plants to 45% of their official capability (instead of 100%) for tax years starting July 1, 2021, but requires plants to remain operational until at least July 1, 2025, to qualify. If such plants close before July 1, 2025, owners must repay tax savings through a recapture tax, though federal mandates exempting closures avoid this requirement. The law applies specifically to "merchant power plants" (independent generators) and modifies existing tax calculation rules under West Virginia Code §11-13-2o.
SB 888, the Judicial Deference Reform Act, prohibits West Virginia state courts and administrative hearing officers from deferring to state agency interpretations of statutes, regulations, or informal guidance documents (like agency memos). Instead, courts must independently review these materials using standard legal analysis ("de novo") and resolve any remaining ambiguities by limiting agency power and prioritizing individual liberty. The law applies to all state court cases and administrative proceedings starting July 1, 2026, but does not affect federal law or cases involving federal agencies. It directly affects how state courts interpret and apply West Virginia laws and agency guidance.
HB 4971 requires new high-voltage electric transmission lines (400kV or greater) needing West Virginia Public Service Commission approval to include a substation near industrial parks if the line runs within five miles of one. It limits this requirement to one substation per 40-mile segment of the line within the state, with the substation needing completion within two years after the line becomes operational. The law applies to transmission developers and the Public Service Commission, aiming to boost economic development by linking grid infrastructure directly to industrial areas. Key provisions include evaluating substation locations based on expected job creation and tax benefits, and prohibiting route choices designed to avoid industrial park proximity.
SB 560, the Financial Accountability Stable Token Act (FAST Act), allows West Virginia to use stable digital tokens fully backed by U.S. dollars for payments to state vendors and contractors. The State Treasurer will maintain a list of approved tokens meeting strict criteria (e.g., 1:1 U.S. dollar backing, quarterly audits, and U.S. regulatory compliance) and may authorize them without further legislative action. Vendors and contractors can choose to accept these tokens voluntarily but cannot be required to do so, and such payments will satisfy the state’s financial obligations. The Treasurer must also submit annual reports to the Legislature detailing token usage, cost savings, and risk assessments.
