This Senate Resolution (SR 5) designates January 14, 2026, as "Foster Care Child Welfare Day at the Capitol" in West Virginia. It formally recognizes an existing annual event where child welfare partners, including organizations like WV CASA Association and Fairmont State University, gather at the state Capitol for collaboration and dialogue. The resolution does not create new laws or alter policies; it simply honors the event and encourages continued family-centered collaboration in child welfare. The designation applies to the statewide child welfare community, including children, families, caregivers, and advocates.
HCR 2 amends a rule governing how West Virginia legislators name transportation infrastructure (like bridges and roads) after deceased individuals who contributed to the state. It requires all naming applications to be submitted by November 15th each year, with the Division of Highways providing location details by December 15th. The resolution must be introduced in the originating chamber by the 25th day of the legislative session, complete action by the 15th day, and be considered by the 52nd day. This procedural bill directly affects legislators and citizens submitting naming requests, streamlining the process with strict deadlines.
SB 483 increases civil penalties for political committees that fail to file required campaign finance reports or submit grossly incomplete/inaccurate reports. For the first violation, penalties rise from $10 per day (capped at $500) to a flat $500 maximum. For subsequent violations in the same election cycle, penalties jump to $1,000 per report. The bill requires the Secretary of State to provide written notice with a 7-10 day cure period before imposing fines, allows installment payment plans, and refers unpaid penalties to debt collectors after 30 days. This directly affects candidates, political committees, and their financial officers who manage campaign disclosures.
SB 790 requires municipal and county governing bodies to mandate quarterly financial and operational reports from water, wastewater, and combined utility systems (including sanitary boards and public service districts). It directly affects local water utilities operating under municipal or county oversight, such as municipal waterworks, sewer systems, and public service districts. The bill establishes two key requirements: (1) quarterly reporting to governing bodies (municipal councils or county commissions), and (2) annual six-hour continuing education for board members and senior managers on financial management, regulatory compliance, and operational best practices. These provisions aim to improve financial accountability and operational efficiency in critical utility services.
HCR 103 is a concurrent resolution requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to study West Virginia's participation in PJM Interconnection LLC, the regional electricity grid operator serving 13 states and D.C. The study will assess whether West Virginia ratepayers and utilities are well-served by PJM's management of wholesale electricity markets, including how investments in local power generation are valued and whether alternative regional options exist. It specifically examines PJM's impact on rising electricity rates, governance representation for West Virginia, and feasibility of forming a state-specific grid organization like Texas. The committee must report findings and recommendations to the 2026 legislature. This resolution does not change laws but directs a policy review affecting all West Virginia electricity consumers and utilities.
This concurrent resolution (SCR 18) recognizes the West Virginia Legislature's intent to create the "West Virginia Coal Renaissance Act" but does not enact new law. It directs state agencies (like the Department of Commerce and Public Service Commission) to develop strategies for increasing coal usage in state power plants, including optimizing plant operations, preventing premature closures, and supporting coal production. The resolution specifically targets coal-fired electric utilities and plants, aiming to reverse years of declining coal use by aligning state policy with federal energy priorities under the Trump administration. It focuses on planning and coordination (e.g., quarterly progress reports) rather than mandating immediate policy changes.
HB 3521 reallocates $1,192,452 from the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Recovery Fund (fund 1509) to the State Fund’s surplus balance, then directs that same amount to the Department of Health’s Central Office for the Tobacco Education Program (fund 0407). It specifically uses excess funds identified in the Attorney General’s account, which the bill states "exceeds that which is necessary" for its purpose. The bill does not create new policy or affect public services directly - it only moves existing surplus funds between state accounts. This is a routine budget adjustment, not a substantive legislative change.
SB 866 requires the West Virginia Board of Education, in consultation with the West Virginia Board of Physical Therapy, to create a rule governing concussion protocols, education, and prevention. This rule would mandate that all K-12 schools adopt a "Concussion Education, Prevention, and Response Plan" for athletic activities, youth sports teams using school grounds, and events regulated by the West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission. The rule must specify who needs concussion-related training (e.g., coaches, staff) and align with existing concussion management standards for school sports. It does not change current laws but establishes a new requirement for schools to implement standardized concussion safety plans.
Senate Resolution 50 is a non-binding request to the federal government to study and implement waterway restoration projects in West Virginia. The resolution specifically asks federal agencies to evaluate and act on debris removal, river bed stabilization, and restoration of natural water flow patterns to address existing flooding damage and prevent future flooding. It was prompted by historic flooding in West Virginia during winter and spring 2025, which left streams and rivers filled with debris that continues to damage property and infrastructure. The resolution requests federal action to mitigate these issues and reduce future recovery costs. This resolution is addressed to President Donald J. Trump and Elon Musk, in his alleged capacity as a special government employee.
HCR 89 is a concurrent resolution requesting the West Virginia Division of Highways rename a bridge in Marshall County (on WV 002 over Big Grave Creek, currently called Lindsey Bridge) as the "U.S. Army SP4 Kermit Harold Yoho Memorial Bridge." It directs the Division to install signs identifying the bridge with this new name, honoring Specialist Four Kermit Harold Yoho, a West Virginia native who died in Vietnam in 1966. This is a memorial resolution with no substantive policy changes, solely focused on naming a specific bridge.
This concurrent resolution (HCR 24) requests the West Virginia Division of Highways to rename bridge number 52-250/00-009.13 (currently known as Littleton Bridge) in Wetzel County as the "Postlethwait Brothers Memorial Bridge." It honors four brothers - Clarence, John Lloyd, Frank, and George Postlethwait - who served in multiple wars (World War II, Korea, Vietnam) with distinguished military careers. The resolution, which passed unanimously on April 12, 2025, directs the Division of Highways to install signage identifying the bridge with this new name.
HCR 7 is a commemorative resolution naming a specific bridge in Mason County, West Virginia, as the "U.S. Army Private First Class John Wesley Meadows Memorial Bridge." It requests the Division of Highways to rename bridge ACNS-0035(166) on US Route 35 over Lower Nine Mile Road (coordinates provided) in honor of John Wesley Meadows, a WWII veteran who landed at Normandy, served in the 4th Infantry Division, and later worked in West Virginia's power industry. The resolution has been adopted by both legislative chambers and directs the Division of Highways to install signage.
