This bill asks the West Virginia Legislature to conduct a comprehensive study on how the state manages disaster recovery and flood resiliency funding, coordination, and case management. The study will examine whether the State Resiliency Office is effectively using available funds, coordinating with other agencies, and complying with state laws, while also analyzing how federal policy changes might impact West Virginia's ability to access disaster relief money. Additionally, the bill requests a feasibility study to determine if state emergency personnel should receive cross-training as disaster case managers to improve recovery efforts and reduce reliance on outside organizations. The findings will include recommendations for improving the state's disaster response system and may lead to changes in laws or budget allocations.
This legislative resolution asks the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to study ways to reduce water loss in public water systems across West Virginia. The study will examine strategies like leak detection, infrastructure upgrades, and performance-based incentives to help water systems save money and stabilize rates for customers. It specifically focuses on identifying systems with the highest water loss and exploring financing options such as special bonds and grant programs to fund improvements. The committee must report its findings and recommendations to the Legislature by December 1, 2026.
SB 1035 amends West Virginia's Judges' Retirement System to adjust contribution rates and benefit calculations for judges. It requires current and future judges to contribute 7% of salary (up to 10.5%) to the retirement fund, suspends court contributions until certain conditions are met, and retroactively treats post-2005 retirees as pre-2005 retirees for benefit purposes. The bill increases surviving spouse benefits for certain judges, removes limits on retirement benefit increases, and eliminates distinctions in calculating benefits for surviving spouses, dependents, and adjusted retirement amounts. These changes directly affect active judges, current retirees, and their dependents under the system.
SB 1024 (2026 West Virginia Senate Bill) allows county school boards to reverse decisions closing public schools for the upcoming school year, provided the reversal occurs by July 15. The bill requires county boards to vote by majority at a public meeting, document the decision in minutes, and notify state education officials. If reversed, the school remains open, and the board must restore staffing, student assignments, transportation, and budgets. This applies to any school closure decision made prior to July 15 and does not require boards to reverse closures or change existing closure procedures. The bill directly affects county school boards and the schools, students, families, and staff impacted by closure decisions.
SB 1044 requires the West Virginia Board of Education to create uniform graduation requirements for all public high school students. It mandates specific pathways - Academic (college-prep), Workforce, Career and Technical Education/Skilled Trades, and Military - and establishes standardized certificates of proficiency detailing each graduate's skills, readiness for employment, or college readiness. The bill directly affects all West Virginia public high schools and students by replacing inconsistent local requirements with state-mandated standards across these four pathways. It also requires schools to issue certificates of proficiency alongside diplomas, specifying the student's completed program of study and relevant skills.
SB 1077 (West Virginia Senate Bill 1077) prevents county school boards from reducing funding for vocational agriculture programs during the 2027 fiscal year below what they spent in the current fiscal year. It directly affects county boards of education across West Virginia by requiring them to maintain existing funding levels for these programs. The bill’s key provision, added as §18-5-55 to the state code, aims to protect these programs from budget cuts during fiscal year 2027. It does not create new programs or require universal student enrollment, but rather safeguards existing vocational agriculture funding. This is a procedural funding protection measure, not a new educational mandate.
SB 1061 allows West Virginia school superintendents to reassign surplus school personnel (such as teachers and support staff) without standard notice and hearing requirements when unexpected enrollment changes require it. The reassignment must occur before the last day of the second school month and applies only when enrollment shifts - unforeseen by May 1 - allow fewer teachers than planned under existing student-teacher ratios. The bill mandates that the least senior personnel be reassigned in such cases, prioritizing experience for remaining staff. This change streamlines adjustments to staffing needs during the school year without requiring full transfer procedures.
SB 486 adds a definition for "master aesthetician" to West Virginia's licensing rules for the Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists. The bill amends §30-27-3 to clarify that a "master aesthetician" is a licensed professional who practices aesthetics beyond the standard "aesthetician" level (which requires 600 training hours). This definition directly affects individuals seeking advanced licensure in aesthetic services, such as skin treatments and cosmetic procedures. The change provides clarity for licensing applicants and the board without altering existing training requirements or service scope.
This bill requires West Virginia's State Treasurer to participate in a federal tax credit scholarship program. Specifically, the Treasurer must annually identify and publish a list of qualified nonprofit scholarship organizations operating in the state by December 1st, accept applications year-round for inclusion on this list, and certify the list for federal submission. It defines eligible schools (meeting existing WV requirements) and students (eligible for public school enrollment), allowing scholarship funds to cover standard K-12 education expenses under federal rules. The bill directly affects the State Treasurer's office, scholarship organizations seeking to participate, and students receiving scholarships under the program.
SB 689 modifies West Virginia's athletic eligibility rules for transfer students by limiting the grade levels where students can switch schools without losing eligibility. The bill requires the West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission to update its rules so students in grades 9 and 10 (instead of grades 9-12) may transfer once and retain athletic eligibility. This change directly affects high school students who move schools, particularly those in ninth and tenth grade. The policy shifts the eligibility window to the first two years of high school, as specified in the bill's amendment to §18-2-25e. The Commission must implement this change by the 2026-2027 school year.
This House Resolution honors the life and legacy of the late West Virginia legislator Larry D. Kump, who passed away on February 28, 2026. The resolution formally expresses the House of Delegates' condolences to Kump's family and acknowledges his service as a representative for Berkeley County across three different terms. It recognizes his career in criminal justice and mediation, his commitment to limited government, and his role as a devoted family member and church leader. The document is a ceremonial tribute rather than a law that changes policy or affects public programs.
This bill creates a new West Virginia Task Force on Election Integrity within the Secretary of State's office to study and recommend improvements for election security and management. The task force will include members from the State Election Commission, state legislators, cybersecurity experts, citizens, and county clerks, with a designated chair appointed by the Governor. Its main duties involve researching secure voting technologies, reviewing federal security reports, assessing equipment for foreign ownership risks, and evaluating current laws against threats like cyberattacks and ballot manipulation. The group will also examine whether existing election standards adequately prevent vote tampering and determine if its work overlaps with the State Election Commission.
