This bill adjusts state funding for West Virginia school districts when counties cannot collect full property taxes due to court orders, valuation errors, or pending legal cases. It requires the state to increase aid by the amount of lost property tax revenue (e.g., from tax refunds, incorrect valuations, or court delays), but only if the legislature funds the state share adequately. The adjustment also applies to counties receiving payments in lieu of property taxes. This ensures school funding remains stable despite fluctuations in local tax collections.
SB 605 would provide a tax credit to West Virginia resident parents or legal guardians who homeschool or enroll their children in private schools meeting state education standards. The credit equals the amount a student eligible for the HOPE Scholarship would receive, covering kindergarten through 12th grade. Families already receiving the HOPE Scholarship are excluded from this credit. The State Tax Commissioner will establish rules for claiming the credit, but the State Board of Education cannot impose additional regulations on homeschooled children.
SB 609 would exempt West Virginia higher education students at colleges, universities, and vocational schools from mandatory vaccination requirements. Students aged 18+ or their parents/guardians could request exemption by submitting a signed statement objecting to immunizations based on sincerely held religious beliefs. The bill creates a new religious exemption pathway for student vaccinations, replacing current policies requiring all students to comply with school immunization rules. This change applies specifically to higher education institutions and does not affect other vaccination requirements.
HB 4846 changes how certain high-technology property is taxed in West Virginia by valuing qualifying servers and equipment at their scrap value (instead of full market value) for property tax purposes. It applies only to assets over $100 million owned by businesses in high-tech or internet advertising sectors, as defined by existing law. This reduces the taxable value of these assets, directly lowering property tax bills for qualifying businesses. The bill does not alter tax rates but modifies the valuation method for specific high-value technology assets.
HB 4080 requires all West Virginia cities, towns, and villages to hold partisan elections for mayors and city council members starting July 1, 2032, meaning candidates will run under party labels. It prohibits appointing mayors except to fill vacancies, ensuring mayors are elected directly by voters. The bill also mandates municipalities to align local election dates with statewide primary or general elections by the same deadline. All affected municipalities must amend their charters or ordinances to comply by July 1, 2032.
HB 4838 increases annual registration fees for alternative fuel vehicles in West Virginia. It raises fees to $400 yearly for hydrogen/natural gas vehicles, $200 for plug-in hybrids, and $400 for fully electric vehicles - doubling current rates. These fees apply in addition to standard registration costs and directly affect owners of these vehicle types. The bill modifies Section 17A-10-3c of the West Virginia Code to implement these changes.
SB 614 amends West Virginia's child custody law to explicitly require courts to consider "meaningful contact" between a child and their step-siblings when determining the child's best interests. The bill adds step-siblings to the list of family members (alongside biological siblings) that courts must evaluate for maintaining existing relationships during custody decisions. This change directly affects children involved in custody cases where step-siblings are part of the family dynamic. The law does not create new rights but ensures step-sibling relationships are formally considered alongside other familial bonds in court rulings.
This resolution expresses support for a petition urging the FDA to study health risks associated with LED lighting. The petition requests the FDA conduct research on hazards like blue light exposure, glare, and flickering, and submit a report to Congress within 365 days. It specifically highlights concerns affecting vulnerable populations in West Virginia, including individuals with light-sensitive conditions, and calls for the FDA to establish performance standards for LED lighting. (Note: This is a non-binding resolution, not a law, and focuses on expressing support for the FDA petition.)
HB 4839 creates a geographic compensation differential for sworn members of the West Virginia State Police assigned to areas with significantly higher housing costs than the statewide median. Eligible troopers receive a salary supplement calculated as a percentage of their base pay, based on how much housing costs exceed the state average in their designated zone. The State Budget Office will designate these zones using objective housing data (median home values and rental rates) and update them biennially. The supplement does not count toward retirement calculations, ends if a trooper leaves the zone, and is funded through new legislative appropriations without reducing existing benefits. This bill directly affects State Police personnel in high-cost regions, aiming to improve recruitment and retention.
SB 610 amends West Virginia law to change how medical exemptions to school vaccination requirements are granted. It eliminates the state commissioner's authority and the position of "State Immunization Officer," instead requiring a treating physician or advanced practice provider to issue a written statement to a child's school or childcare center if vaccination would be detrimental to the child's health. This directly affects children entering schools or childcare centers, as exemptions now rely solely on healthcare provider documentation rather than state official review. The bill maintains existing vaccine requirements (chickenpox, measles, polio, etc.) but shifts the exemption process to healthcare providers.
HJR 27 proposes a constitutional amendment to transfer control of most roads in West Virginia from the state to counties. It would repeal nine existing constitutional amendments related to road funding and management, replacing them with a new Amendment 19. Under this amendment, counties would have exclusive authority over the maintenance and upkeep of all local roads, excluding roads in the National Highway System and designated West Virginia State Highways. The state legislature would still be required to appropriate funds to support county road maintenance through the regular budget process. This amendment must be approved by voters in the 2027 general election to take effect.
SB 624 extends the expiration date of a tax modification that reduces personal and corporate income tax for qualified opportunity zone businesses in West Virginia. It directly affects businesses newly registered in West Virginia between January 1, 2019, and January 1, 2024, that operate within designated opportunity zones. The bill prevents the current 2024 sunset date from taking effect, allowing these businesses to continue claiming the tax reduction for the full 10-year period authorized under existing law. This change ensures ongoing eligibility for the tax benefit without requiring new business registrations.
