HB 4600 requires that all absentee ballots for primary and general elections must be received by 8:00 p.m. on election day to be counted. This applies to voters who request absentee ballots by mail or electronically. The bill amends West Virginia law to establish a clear deadline for ballot receipt, ensuring all absentee ballots are processed by the same time as in-person voting. It directly affects voters who choose to mail in their ballots, requiring timely delivery to meet the election day cutoff.
This resolution designates February 10, 2026, as "Homeschool Day" at the West Virginia legislature to recognize homeschooling families, students, and educators. It acknowledges homeschooling's role in student achievement and citizenship through ceremonial recognition only, with no new policies, funding, or legal requirements. The resolution directs the Senate Clerk to share the designation with homeschooling organizations. As a procedural resolution, it has no binding effect on education policy or state operations.
This bill clarifies the responsibilities of a public service district's board when dissolving or selling its water, sewer, stormwater, or gas systems. It requires the board to cooperate with the county commission during asset sales, eliminating the need for new hearings if the county commission and Public Service Commission have already approved the dissolution. Proceeds from sales must first cover district debts, then be distributed equally to contributors who paid for system construction (up to their original contribution amount), with any remaining funds going to the county commission. The bill directly affects public service districts, county commissions, and the Public Service Commission in West Virginia.
SB 615 (West Virginia Senate Bill 615) requires all state and local law enforcement agencies in West Virginia to notify U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) when they determine an individual is in the U.S. without legal authorization. The bill directly affects undocumented immigrants in West Virginia and mandates that law enforcement cooperate with federal immigration authorities under federal law. Key provisions include prohibiting any state or local policies that would block this notification, and requiring agencies to follow federal immigration enforcement procedures. This bill changes how West Virginia law enforcement handles immigration status determinations, making notification to ICE mandatory rather than optional.
This Senate Resolution (SR 15) formally recognizes the 154th anniversary of Glenville State University, established in 1872 as a West Virginia state normal school. It acknowledges the university's historical role in teacher training and its current expansion into diverse academic programs (including business, health sciences, and criminal justice). The resolution expresses the Senate's appreciation for the university's contributions to West Virginia's education and economy and directs a copy to the university president. As a ceremonial resolution, it has no policy or financial impact.
HB 4522 requires non-government entities providing funds or services for West Virginia election administration (such as ballot initiatives) to certify to the Secretary of State whether they knowingly receive foreign donations. This affects organizations or individuals funding state ballot measures, not voters or candidates. The bill mandates annual certification updates within five business days of new information, with penalties including fines of three times the donation amount for false or late filings, and invalidates agreements for non-compliance. It also requires government entities to submit quarterly reports on such funding and mandates public posting of certifications on the Secretary of State’s website.
This Senate Resolution (SR 28) expresses legislative support for extending Interstate 68 from Morgantown, West Virginia, to Kent, West Virginia, then across the Ohio River to Clarington, Ohio, and further to I-77 near Caldwell, Ohio. It does not create new policies or funding but urges state and federal officials to secure resources for this transportation corridor project. The resolution specifically references the "I-68 Energy Manufacturing AI Corridor" as a means to support economic growth in the Shale Crescent region, though it does not establish any new programs or obligations. It is a symbolic measure, not a substantive legislative bill.
Senate Resolution 30 designates February 9, 2026, as "WVSU Day" at the West Virginia Capitol to honor West Virginia State University (WVSU). The resolution formally recognizes WVSU's historical significance as a public HBCU founded in 1891, its land-grant status, and its contributions to education and economic development in the state. This is a ceremonial resolution with no policy changes or direct impact on constituents, solely serving to acknowledge the university's legacy.
HB 4382 requires collection agencies in West Virginia to provide debtors with 30 days' written notice (via certified mail) before initiating wage garnishment. It also mandates that agencies send monthly statements showing the current balance owed on the debt. These requirements directly affect debtors facing potential wage garnishment by giving them advance notice and clearer information about their debt. The bill amends existing law to strengthen transparency and notice requirements for debt collection practices.
HB 4461 requires internet and telecommunications providers in West Virginia to automatically provide prorated bill credits to customers when service is interrupted for five or more consecutive days (120 hours) due to the provider's fault. It directly affects subscribers who lose service for extended periods, ensuring they aren't charged for unavailable service. The bill mandates credits proportional to the outage duration, excludes outages caused by customers, cyberattacks, or force majeure, and sets civil penalties up to $1,000 per violation. Providers must report outage data monthly to the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division for oversight, though mobile service disruptions are excluded from these rules.
HB 4570 allows landlords to serve eviction notices on tenants by posting them conspicuously on rental property (secured where easily visible) when personal service isn't possible. This method requires a neutral third party (not the landlord) to post the notice and provide a notarized affidavit detailing the date, time, location, and photographic proof of posting. The bill clarifies that landlords cannot post notices themselves and must submit this affidavit to the court with their eviction petition. It directly affects landlords seeking eviction and tenants receiving notice via this method. The change streamlines service for landlords while adding documentation requirements to ensure proper notice.
This Senate Resolution (SR 29) symbolically designates February 6, 2026, as "Recovery Advocacy Day" at the West Virginia Legislature. It does not create new laws or allocate funding, but formally recognizes the work of addiction and recovery professionals. The resolution directs the Senate Clerk to send copies to organizations including the West Virginia Association of Addiction and Prevention Professionals and the West Virginia Alliance of Recovery Residences. Its purpose is to acknowledge ongoing efforts in addiction prevention and recovery support across the state.
