This bill (SCR 10) is a memorial resolution requesting the West Virginia Division of Highways rename a specific bridge in Lincoln County. It directs the agency to change the existing "U.S. Army TEC5 Donald 'Tiny' Lucas Memorial Bridge" (located at coordinates 38.10346, -82.17775) to include Ronald Lucas, honoring his life and service. The resolution cites Ronald Lucas's military service, community contributions, and efforts to memorialize his father. As a commemorative resolution, it does not create new laws or affect policy - it solely changes the bridge's official name.
This concurrent resolution (SCR 3) requests that West Virginia's Division of Highways rename two bridge segments on Interstate 79 over Brown's Creek in Harrison County as the "U.S. Army Warrant Officer Joseph Rose III Memorial Bridge." It specifically directs the agency to install signage identifying the bridge with this name. The resolution is ceremonial, honoring Warrant Officer Joseph Rose III's military service, capture as a POW in Vietnam, and post-war life in West Virginia. It does not create new laws or policies, only modifies a bridge's official designation.
HB 3519 transfers $155,288,050 from the Governor’s Office-Civil Contingent Fund (unspent funds for emergency use) to the Higher Education Policy Commission’s budget for the 2025 fiscal year. The bill creates a new line item titled "Deferred Maintenance of Institutions - Surplus" under the Higher Education Policy Commission’s administrative account. This reallocates unused state funds specifically for deferred maintenance at public colleges and universities, without creating new spending or changing tax policies. The bill directly affects higher education institutions by providing funding for building repairs and infrastructure upkeep.
West Virginia Senate Bill 875 allows brewers and brewpubs to create private-labeled nonintoxicating beer (beer with very low alcohol content) for one-time commemorative events hosted by businesses with on-premise alcohol licenses (Class A licensees). The bill permits these private labels only for events like business anniversaries, with strict limits: each label must be approved by the state alcohol authority, sold exclusively to one business purchasing all available product, and capped at 25 cases annually. It prohibits discounts, marketing targeting under-21s, or labels suggesting the beer is made solely for a specific retailer. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, and expires July 1, 2026.
SB 886, titled "Relating to Foster Child Bill of Rights," requires West Virginia's child welfare department and foster/kinship placements to inform children in care about their specific rights in age-appropriate ways. The bill mandates that children receive a written copy of their rights (in their primary language if possible) and an oral explanation using simple terms, covering protections like safety, medical care, family contact, education access, and confidentiality for reporting violations. It directly affects children in foster care or kinship placements by ensuring they understand their legal rights within the child welfare system. The key mechanism is the department's obligation to proactively communicate these rights, rather than altering the rights themselves.
HB 3084, the Oral Health and Cancer Rights Act, requires all health benefit plans (including employer-sponsored insurance, public employee plans, and health care corporations) to cover oral health procedures necessary as side effects of cancer treatments. This includes exams, medications, dental devices, and rehabilitation for functions like eating, breathing, and speaking related to cancer care. The mandate applies to policies issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2026, and requires agencies to report implementation costs to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance one year after enactment. The bill directly affects insurance providers and cancer patients by expanding coverage for essential oral health services tied to cancer treatment.
HB 2571 requires West Virginia's Department of Motor Vehicles to provide towing companies with immediate 24/7 access to vehicle owner information. This directly affects towing businesses and vehicle owners, as it eliminates delays in contacting owners of towed or impounded vehicles. The bill mandates the DMV to create or adjust a portal system so tow companies can quickly verify owner details, preventing unnecessary charges that accumulate while seeking this information. The key provision (Section 17A-2A-7(7)) specifically authorizes this access "for use in providing notice to the owners of towed or impounded vehicles." This is a procedural change to DMV services, not a new tax or regulation.
HB 2645 requires the West Virginia Parkways Authority to hold public hearings in every county along the West Virginia Turnpike before increasing tolls, rents, fees, or charges. The bill mandates at least 14 days' public notice for these hearings, where residents can speak about proposed increases. The Authority must also justify each increase by showing it addresses operational or maintenance needs tied to specific projects and bond obligations. This procedural bill directly affects the Parkways Authority and Turnpike users, ensuring transparency before any fee adjustments.
This bill establishes a state licensing system for certified professional midwives (CPMs) in West Virginia. It requires midwives to hold national certification from the North American Registry of Midwives (NARM) and meet education, age, and credentialing standards to obtain a license. License holders must renew every two years by submitting proof of current NARM certification and participating in perinatal outcome data reporting. The law directly affects midwives seeking to legally provide maternity care in West Virginia, ensuring they meet standardized national and state requirements.
This concurrent resolution designates December 14 as "Frosty the Snowman Day" to honor West Virginia songwriter Walter "Jack" Rollins, who co-wrote the holiday classic. It has no legal effect or policy changes - it serves solely as a ceremonial recognition of the song's cultural significance and Rollins' West Virginia roots. The resolution commemorates the December 14, 1950, release date of the song performed by Gene Autry.
SB 723 requires clinical inpatient medical treatment centers for substance use disorder in West Virginia to meet specific standards. Centers must ensure at least 85% of patients are West Virginia residents (verified quarterly), provide an integrated care model (including dental checkups, routine health screenings, and overdose prevention), and transition 100% of graduates to aftercare (with at least 70% placed in certified recovery residences). The bill mandates quarterly reporting to the Office of the Inspector General on patient demographics, placement rates, medication continuity, job readiness assistance, and dental services. Centers must also document barriers to job entry and help patients obtain identification documents before discharge.
HCR 88 is a ceremonial resolution honoring two West Virginia first responders nominated for the Medal of Valor. It specifically recognizes Captain Donald Lawson (New Martinsville Police) for rescuing two people from carbon monoxide poisoning despite his own hospitalization, and Darrell Lambert (Lake Volunteer Firefighter) for entering a burning building without protective gear to save a trapped resident, sustaining burns in the process. The resolution formally confirms the Legislature's approval of their award and directs the House Clerk to send a copy to Governor Morrisey. This is a symbolic honor with no new policy or funding changes, directly affecting only these two nominees. It passed unanimously in both chambers on April 3, 2025.
