SB 816 adds $132,000 to the Department of Homeland Security's Fusion Center budget (fund 0430, fiscal year 2026) using an unappropriated surplus balance from the State Fund, General Revenue. The bill directly affects the Department of Homeland Security's Office of the Secretary by providing supplemental funding for the Fusion Center. This is a procedural budget amendment that reallocates existing unspent state funds, not a new policy or tax change. The funding is designated specifically for the Fusion Center's operations under the "8a Fusion Center - Surplus" line item.
This bill (SB 814) allocates $70,357,538 in unappropriated surplus funds from the State General Revenue Fund to the Hope Scholarship Program under the State Board of Education. It directly affects the Hope Scholarship Program by providing supplemental funding for fiscal year 2026. The bill does not change program rules or eligibility - it simply reallocates existing surplus funds to cover program costs. This is a routine budget adjustment, not a new policy.
West Virginia's SB 985 regulates kratom products by requiring businesses that grow, process, or sell them to obtain permits and verify online customers are at least 21 years old using approved age-check systems. The bill defines "kratom" as the natural leaf of the mitragyna speciosa plant (excluding food products or synthetically altered forms) and prohibits selling contaminated products or unapproved items. Selling without a permit is a misdemeanor (up to $1,000 fine or 1 year in jail) for first offenses and a felony (up to $5,000 or 5 years in prison) for repeat violations. The Department of Agriculture must enforce these rules, use a software tracking system, and notify the Tax Department of certain violations.
SB 1008 modifies the time limits for filing lawsuits related to asbestos and silica exposure in West Virginia. It sets that a claim for health issues (like disease) cannot be filed before a medical diagnosis is received, facts leading to a diagnosis are discovered, or the date of death (if the person had the condition). The bill also separates non-cancer and cancer claims, prohibiting damages for fear of future illness. Additionally, it establishes a 10- or 12-year deadline for lawsuits against equipment manufacturers (in coal mining) who used asbestos/silica as required by federal rules, unless a longer warranty was promised.
SB 1033 clarifies the West Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture's authority to manage state-owned land, including leasing it for farming or recreation (with restrictions on toxic use) and developing it for agriculture, forestry, or mining (requiring environmental restoration). It specifies that the Commissioner must sell institutional farm products to state institutions at market rates, allows inmate labor for farm operations under Corrections Department oversight, and mandates that all funds from land sales, leases, or mineral rights go into a special revenue account - excess over $1 million annually transfers to a capital improvements fund. This bill directly affects the Commissioner of Agriculture, state institutions (like prisons and health facilities), the Corrections Department, and public land management. The changes aim to streamline land use while ensuring taxpayer savings and environmental compliance.
SB 250 is West Virginia's 2027 state budget bill, appropriating funds from the state treasury for all government agencies and departments (called "spending units") to cover their operations during fiscal year 2027 (July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027). It classifies funding into categories like personal services (salaries), employee benefits (pensions, insurance), and special funds, requiring agencies to collect specified amounts to avoid budget cuts. The bill also establishes that uncollected "from collections" funds automatically reduce agency budgets, while excess collections may be saved for future use. This procedural budget bill affects all state agencies but does not create new policies or programs.
This bill (SB 570) allocates $199,476,099 in unspent federal funds to the West Virginia Department of Health's "Rural Health Transformation Program" for fiscal year 2026. It adds a new funding line (Fund 8802, Org 0506) under the Department's Central Office to support this specific program. The funds are designated for rural health initiatives and directly affect the Department of Health's ability to implement these programs. This is a procedural funding measure, not a policy change, using existing federal funds without new tax implications.
HB 2451 exempts home-based business owners (specifically sole proprietors and independent contractors) earning under $2,500 annually in gross revenue from requiring a municipal business license, provided they don't maintain a permanent physical location within city limits. It also establishes a revenue threshold for exempting small businesses from municipal business and occupation taxes. The bill amends existing tax codes to clarify these exemptions and creates the "Small Business Protection Act" to formalize these changes. This directly affects low-revenue home-based entrepreneurs in West Virginia municipalities. The law takes effect July 11, 2025.
SB 490 prohibits the use of ranked-choice voting in all West Virginia elections, including local, state, and federal races. The law directly affects voters and election officials by banning this voting method statewide, replacing it with traditional single-choice voting. It amends election law to explicitly prohibit ranked-choice voting procedures, effective August 8, 2025, after being signed by the governor on March 18, 2025. This change applies to all elections held under West Virginia law moving forward.
SB 138 increases penalties for drivers who flee from law enforcement officers after being stopped. It changes the offense from a misdemeanor to a felony, imposing stricter criminal consequences. This law directly affects individuals who evade police encounters, making fleeing a more serious criminal act. The bill was signed into law by the Governor on March 24, 2025, and became Chapter 157 of the 2025 Regular Session.
SB 738 ends the Employee Suggestion Award Board, a state entity that managed programs for employee suggestions in state agencies. The law directly affects state agencies that previously operated this board and employees who participated in suggestion award programs. It terminates the board by removing it from state law, eliminating the requirement for agencies to maintain or administer such programs. The bill became law on August 8, 2025, after being approved by the governor on April 24, 2025.
SB 586 establishes procedures for filling vacancies in elected federal, state, and county offices, directly affecting those offices and the individuals appointed to fill them. The bill sets specific requirements for who may appoint a temporary replacement (such as a governor or local official) and mandates that vacancies be filled within a defined timeframe. This replaces prior rules with a standardized process to ensure continuity in governance when an elected official leaves office before their term ends. The law became effective upon the Governor's approval on April 29, 2025.
