SB 749 authorizes four West Virginia counties - Ohio, Harrison, Monongalia, and Jefferson - to levy a special sales tax on businesses within designated economic development districts. The bill specifically approves taxes for the Fort Henry District (500 acres in Ohio County), Charles Pointe District (437 acres in Harrison County), University Town Centre District (1,450 acres in Monongalia County), and a Jefferson County district (unspecified acreage). Each district’s tax authority expires in 2053 or 2054, unless terminated earlier under existing law. The bill ensures these taxes won’t reduce state general revenue by requiring individual legislative approval for each district’s tax authorization. This directly affects businesses operating within these defined areas, with tax revenue funding local economic development initiatives.
HB 5441 reforms West Virginia's state personnel system by eliminating special merit-based hiring rules for employees in the Department of Transportation, State Tax Division, and Bureau for Social Services. It transfers their personnel duties to the Division of Personnel, exempts new hires and promoted DOT employees from the standard hiring process starting July 1, 2026, and removes the State Personnel Board. The bill streamlines job posting, appointment timelines, and grievance procedures while clarifying that Division of Personnel records are subject to public disclosure laws. These changes aim to reduce duplication and modernize how state agencies manage their workforce.
SB 862 repeals three outdated sections (§62-15A-1, §62-15A-2, and §62-15A-3) of West Virginia’s code that previously established an Addiction Treatment Pilot Program. The bill formally removes these provisions because the pilot program no longer exists, as stated in the bill’s purpose. It does not create new policy or affect current services, as the referenced program was discontinued years ago. This is a procedural cleanup of the legal code, with no direct impact on patients, providers, or state funding. The bill passed quickly through both chambers in early March 2026.
SB 1059 requires solid waste motor carriers in West Virginia to have written agreements with commercial customers that follow the commission's rules. The bill explicitly allows these agreements to have terms longer than one year, which was not permitted under prior law. This change directly affects businesses that contract for solid waste services and the companies providing those services. The policy creates a clear legal framework for longer-term contracts, improving stability for both parties.
This bill allows staff members employed at four specific West Virginia hospitals - Hopemont Hospital, Jackie Withrow Hospital, John Manchin Sr. Health Care Center, and Lakin State Hospital - to begin receiving retirement benefits before the standard retirement age. It applies to employees who were over 55 on October 21, 2025, and would have qualified for retirement under the Public Employees Retirement System if they had reached age 60 (Tier 1) or 62 (Tier 2). The bill permits these employees to draw their retirement annuity as if they had met the normal age requirement, without altering other retirement system rules. For insurance coverage purposes, these employees are considered retired once they start receiving their annuity.
This bill (SB 1038) increases salaries by 15% for three specific positions at the Unemployment Compensation Board of Review: Chief Administrative Law Judge, Administrative Law Judge 1, and Administrative Law Judge 2. The adjustment applies to salary levels effective when the bill takes effect and is separate from other 2026 budget salary changes. The stated purpose is to help ensure unemployment compensation hearings occur in a timely manner. The funding for this increase is exempt from standard budget constraints, and the law explicitly states it creates no legal liability for implementation.
HB 5067 clarifies the Division of Administrative Services' role in managing federal grants for law enforcement. It allows the Director to directly partner with law enforcement agencies (like the State Police) to apply for and administer federal grants restricted to such agencies. The bill also removes a previous requirement for the Deputy Secretary to hear certain appeals, instead directing the Office of Administrative Hearings to handle appeals from the Governor’s Committee on Crime subcommittees. This affects how state agencies coordinate federal grant funding and process appeals related to law enforcement certification decisions. The changes streamline grant administration but do not create new law enforcement powers.
SB 950 repeals West Virginia Code §6-7-5, which previously governed mileage and expense reimbursements for judges. This bill directly affects judges by eliminating the existing rule for calculating travel costs related to their official duties. The key provision is the complete removal of the former statute, with no new mechanisms or allowances being introduced. The change is purely procedural, streamlining the legal framework without altering how judges are compensated for travel.
SB 977 creates a partial disability benefit for West Virginia emergency medical services (EMS) members who develop work-related injuries or illnesses that prevent them from performing all duties but do not cause total disability. It adds a provision allowing these members to receive 45% of their average monthly compensation (based on the previous 12 months) instead of the 90% offered for total disability. To qualify as partially disabled, a member must have a medical condition lasting at least 12 months that prevents them from performing EMS duties, though they may still work other jobs. If partially disabled, the benefit continues until age 60, at which point they transition to the standard retirement benefit under the Emergency Medical Services Retirement System.
SB 1060 amends West Virginia law to define "WV certified thoroughbred" horses and adjust eligibility for restricted races. It requires thoroughbreds to be registered with the West Virginia Thoroughbred Breeders Association and either foaled in West Virginia, sired by a WV sire, or registered as a yearling in WV. The bill increases the $1 million funding cap for restricted races held by racetracks that did not participate in the West Virginia Development Fund for four consecutive years before December 31, 1992. These changes directly affect West Virginia racetracks and thoroughbred horses seeking eligibility for restricted races under updated funding rules.
SB 947 requires the West Virginia State Registrar to provide free certified birth certificates to homeless individuals under 18. It defines homelessness as lacking a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence (including stays in shelters, temporary institutions, or non-residential places) and mandates the State Registrar to issue copies upon application and proof of homelessness. The bill also updates fee structures for other birth certificate copies, directing some fees to a Vital Statistics Improvement Fund. This policy change directly affects homeless minors in West Virginia seeking essential identification for services like school enrollment or healthcare.
This bill amends West Virginia's education code to redefine the term "long-term substitute" for public school personnel. The bill does not specify the new definition in the provided text, only stating it will amend §18A-1-1 to clarify this term. It affects school personnel categories, particularly those filling substitute teaching roles. The bill was introduced on February 23, 2026, and referred to education committees. (Note: The actual redefinition is not included in the provided bill text.)
