This Senate Concurrent Resolution asks the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to study how athletic trainers are currently accessed in public high schools and to investigate ways to improve their availability. The resolution directs the committee to examine the safety and health needs of student athletes and to explore educational opportunities for individuals seeking to become athletic trainers in West Virginia. The committee must submit a report by January 1, 2027, to state leaders with findings and recommendations on expanding athletic trainer access and sports medicine education. Funding for the study will come from existing legislative appropriations to the committee.
This Senate Concurrent Resolution requests a study by the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to examine whether hunters in West Virginia should be required to buy an additional upland game bird stamp when purchasing a standard hunting license. The proposed stamp would apply to hunters targeting species like ruffed grouse, bobwhite quail, and ring-necked pheasant specifically within wildlife management areas. The resolution includes preliminary data suggesting a $10 stamp could generate about $37,000 in revenue if half of the approximately 7,300 licensed hunters purchased it, with funds potentially used to stock more game birds. The committee is asked to report its findings and any legislative recommendations by the 2027 regular session, with study costs covered through existing legislative appropriations.
This bill requests the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to study women's collegiate sports programs in West Virginia, focusing on financial sustainability, name image and likeness impacts, and Title IX obligations. The study will examine current funding levels, endowment feasibility, revenue-sharing models, and operational efficiency methods to support female student-athletes. The committee must submit a report by January 1, 2027, to state officials with findings, conclusions, and potential legislative recommendations. Funding for the study will come from existing legislative appropriations to the committee.
This Senate resolution designates March 14, 2026, as McDowell County Day at the West Virginia Legislature to honor the county's historical and cultural significance. The bill recognizes McDowell County's role in early American history, its contributions to the state's economy through coal mining, and its legacy of civil rights and community resilience. It directs the legislative clerk to send a copy of the resolution to a representative of the McDowell County Commission.
This bill directs the West Virginia House of Delegates to hold additional interim committee meetings during calendar year 2026, in addition to the meetings already scheduled by the Joint Committee on Government and Finance. It grants the Speaker of the House the authority to set the specific dates, times, and locations for these meetings, with public notice required for each session. Delegates attending these interim meetings will receive compensation and expense reimbursement consistent with existing state laws governing legislative services. The measure aims to provide legislators with more opportunities to investigate issues, develop policy, and shape legislative direction before the upcoming session.
This Senate resolution formally recognizes the dedicated public service of Honorable Charles Houston Clements, a former West Virginia state senator. The bill honors Clements for his legislative career, including his service as Chair of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and his decision not to seek reelection in 2026. It expresses the Senate's appreciation for his commitment to serving West Virginia citizens and directs the Clerk to send a copy of the resolution to Clements.
This legislative resolution asks the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to investigate the ongoing water quality and infrastructure problems in southern West Virginia, especially in McDowell and Wyoming counties. The study will examine causes of poor water quality, potential contamination sources, the condition of existing water systems, and whether state agencies are properly regulating the situation. The committee is required to report its findings and recommendations to the legislature by the 2027 session, with costs covered by legislative funding.
HB 5286 adds $1.5 million in supplemental funding from West Virginia's unappropriated surplus balance to the Department of Homeland Security's Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation for equipment purchases during fiscal year 2026. This new appropriation, designated as "Equipment - Surplus" under Fund 0450, directly supports correctional facilities by providing resources for equipment needs without increasing overall state spending. The bill uses existing surplus funds identified in the Governor's Executive Budget Document, specifically reallocating unappropriated revenue to address immediate equipment requirements for correctional units. It does not create new policies or change eligibility but adjusts budget allocations for operational support.
HB 5510 removes a requirement that private wedding venues in West Virginia must own or lease at least two acres of land in a rural area to operate. This change directly affects private wedding venues, particularly those in rural locations that previously faced this land-use barrier. The bill amends West Virginia Code §60-7-2 (relating to private club licenses) to eliminate the two-acre minimum, simplifying licensing for these venues. The policy change takes effect July 1, 2026, after passing through legislative committees.
The Future Ready Education Act allows West Virginia school districts to enter multi-year contracts for educational technology with a technology licensing component, provided they document fiscal savings and include a 30-day cancellation clause. It extends the Mountain State Digital Project to cover grades 9-12 and adds tutoring in reading, math, science, and career-technical education. Starting in the 2026-2027 school year, all kindergarten through fifth-grade teachers must complete training in the science of reading, with public charter school educators permitted to voluntarily participate. The bill directly affects school districts, K-5 teachers, and students in public schools across West Virginia.
SB 927 clarifies that West Virginia's Commissioner of Agriculture has exclusive authority to regulate bees, bee equipment, and apiaries statewide, removing potential conflicts with local governments. The bill defines key terms like "apiary" (a location where bees are kept), "bee equipment" (hives, tools, etc.), and "honey bee pests" (diseases like Varroa mite) to create a uniform regulatory framework. It directly affects beekeepers, agricultural operations relying on pollination, and landowners with apiaries by standardizing rules for inspections, disease control, and equipment management. The bill aims to strengthen pollinator protection and support beekeeping's economic role in agriculture through clear, statewide rules.
This bill expands the definition of "targeted facility" in West Virginia's unmanned aircraft regulations to include jails, state correctional facilities, juvenile detention centers, and federal correctional facilities. By amending the state code, the legislation ensures these correctional facilities are treated as critical infrastructure for the purposes of drone use and security. The change directly affects law enforcement agencies, correctional facility operators, and drone pilots who must now comply with additional security protocols at these locations. This amendment aligns correctional facilities with other critical infrastructure sites under existing state drone laws.
