HCR 3 is a House Concurrent Resolution requesting the West Virginia Division of Highways to rename specific infrastructure projects with memorial names honoring veterans and community members. It directs the naming of 15 bridges and road segments across multiple counties, including the "John and Virginia Skidmore Memorial Bridge" over Route 79 in Braxton County and the "U.S. Army CPL Benny Franklin Shifflett Memorial Bridge" over the West Fork River in Lewis County. The resolution does not create new policies or funding but formally proposes these memorial names for official use on state infrastructure. This procedural resolution affects the Division of Highways' naming practices and honors individuals with military service or community ties.
HB 4312 authorizes West Virginia's Board of Pharmacy to promulgate a legislative rule regarding pharmacy permits, specifically referencing the existing "15 CSR 15" rule filed in the State Register. The bill formally approves a rule the Board modified in response to legislative committee feedback, which was refiled in October 2025. This procedural authorization allows the Board to implement specific permit requirements for pharmacies without requiring new legislative action for each rule change. The rule directly affects pharmacies seeking or maintaining permits in West Virginia.
HB 4298 authorizes West Virginia's Board of Occupational Therapy to establish rules about continuing education requirements for licensed occupational therapists. The bill specifically approves a previously filed rule (13 CSR 04) that sets standards for therapists to maintain their competence through ongoing education. This affects licensed occupational therapists in West Virginia who must comply with these education requirements to keep their licenses active. The bill does not create new rules but formally authorizes the existing rulemaking action.
HB 4270 authorizes West Virginia's Department of Agriculture to create and enforce rules governing specific plant-based derivatives and products derived from hemp and kratom. The bill formally approves an existing proposed rule (61 CSR 30) that the department had previously filed and revised to address legislative committee feedback. This procedural bill does not create new restrictions but enables the department to regulate these products through official rulemaking. It directly affects businesses producing or selling hemp/kratom derivatives in West Virginia by establishing regulatory standards.
HB 4273 authorizes the West Virginia Board of Architects to implement a specific rule (2 CSR 01) governing architect registration. This rule, which was modified after addressing concerns raised by the Legislative Rule-Making Review Committee, outlines requirements for registering as an architect in the state. The bill formally approves this administrative rule, ensuring it becomes effective without requiring new legislative action. It directly affects individuals seeking to practice architecture in West Virginia by establishing their registration process.
HB 5007 would create a state income tax exemption for West Virginia residents who pay for gym memberships at gyms located within the state. The bill allows taxpayers to reduce their taxable income by $60 per month, capped at $720 annually for gym membership costs. It directly affects individual taxpayers who maintain gym memberships at in-state facilities and would lower their state income tax liability. The policy change is limited to qualifying gym memberships purchased within West Virginia, with no additional eligibility requirements specified.
HB 5003 clarifies the process for emergency involuntary hospitalization in West Virginia, allowing authorized hospital physicians to temporarily hold individuals at risk of harming themselves or others if they are addicted or mentally ill. The bill requires physicians to file a formal petition within 72 hours to extend hospitalization beyond that period, with courts then scheduling a hearing. It specifies that individuals must be released within 72 hours unless a petition is filed, and outlines payment rules for hospitals treating uninsured patients through the Legislative Claims Commission. The law also protects medical staff from liability when acting in good faith under these procedures.
HB 4267 authorizes the West Virginia Department of Agriculture to implement a specific regulatory rule (61 CSR 11) governing public markets. This rule would directly affect farmers, vendors, and consumers who operate or use public markets across the state. The bill approves a previously modified rule that was revised to address concerns raised by the Legislative Rule-Making Review Committee. It does not create new market regulations but formally authorizes the existing rulemaking process. The change is procedural, allowing the Department to enforce consistent standards for public market operations.
SB 675 requires each of West Virginia's 19 public colleges and universities to elect a student representative who serves with voting power on their governing board. It specifies board sizes (12-19 members), mandates that appointed members reflect political party balance (e.g., no more than 5 of 9 from one party), and requires at least 5 of 9 appointed members to be state residents. For West Virginia University specifically, the bill adds requirements for an agriculture representative and a graduate of WVU Institute of Technology. The bill maintains non-voting advisory roles for elected faculty and employee representatives at all institutions.
SB 679 prevents minors from being prosecuted for prostitution if a court determines they are victims of human trafficking under West Virginia law. The bill amends existing statutes to explicitly state that no minor shall face criminal charges for prostitution offenses when the court finds they are victims of trafficking. This directly affects minors exploited in commercial sexual activity, ensuring they are treated as victims rather than criminals. The key mechanism requires a court to determine victim status before immunity applies, removing a barrier to support services and legal protection. The bill focuses on clarifying legal protections for vulnerable minors without changing penalties for traffickers.
HB 5014 modifies West Virginia's real property tax rules for farm structures used in agricultural activities. It phases out taxes on eligible structures over three years: 33% reduction in 2026, 67% in 2027, and full exemption by 2028 for structures appraised in 2025. The exemption applies only to farm structures on agricultural land (per §19-19-2b) used for farming operations, excluding commercial solar installations, wood processing facilities, and event venues. This directly affects farm property owners who maintain qualifying structures for agricultural production, storage, or distribution.
This bill prohibits West Virginia's Public Service Commission from approving utility rate increases that include costs for intermittent power sources like solar or wind energy. It specifically blocks the Commission from considering construction, operation, maintenance, or decommissioning costs for facilities relying solely on variable energy sources (defined as those dependent on weather and not fully controllable). Existing contracts signed before the law takes effect are exempt, but new expansions or commitments to such projects cannot be included in rate hikes. The bill also requires the Commission to submit an annual report to the Legislature assessing the law's impact on energy rates, reliability, and affordability.
