This West Virginia law (HB 2043, now law as Chapter 115, 2025) permits hunters to use leashed dogs or drones to locate seriously injured deer, elk, bear, turkey, or wild boar on their own property or leased land after a legally taken shot. Hunters must have a valid license, and dog handlers or drone operators must be licensed as outfitters/guides or comply with FAA Part 107 rules (for non-property operators). The state must publish an annual list of licensed handlers by September 1. The law does not change hunting regulations but adds specific rules for this tracking method, requiring hunters to accompany handlers unless physically unable.
HB 3503 transfers authority from the state to local governments for regulating commercial horticulture (such as large-scale nurseries or greenhouses) under the state's Water Pollution Control Act. It requires counties, municipalities, and other local political subdivisions to develop and enforce their own rules for these operations to protect water quality. The bill directly affects commercial horticulture businesses and local governments responsible for implementing these regulations. This law was enacted on April 29, 2025, becoming Chapter 118 of the 2025 regular session statutes.
HB 3166 requires public school districts to create and annually update detailed safety maps for all school buildings. These maps must show emergency exits, security cameras, communication systems, and other safety features, and be made available to law enforcement upon request. The bill directly affects all public school districts in the state by mandating this standardized safety documentation. It became law on April 29, 2025, after approval by the governor.
HB 2217 increases penalties for conspiring to commit murder by aligning them with the penalties for the completed crime of murder. It directly affects individuals convicted of planning or aiding a murder, ensuring conspiracy charges carry the same sentencing consequences as the actual murder. The bill amends existing law to require that conspiracy to commit murder be punished as severely as murder itself, eliminating prior distinctions in sentencing. This policy change became effective when the bill was signed into law on April 25, 2025.
HB 2511 allows charitable organizations to sell and serve alcohol during bingo events they host for fundraising. It directly affects nonprofit groups, such as churches or community centers, that operate charitable bingo games. The bill removes previous restrictions by permitting alcohol sales and consumption while bingo is being played, aligning with updated regulations for these events. This change became law after the governor approved it on April 28, 2025.
HB 3336 updates West Virginia's rules for plugging abandoned oil and gas wells. It removes the requirement for a four-and-one-half-inch casing in modern wells and eliminates the need to remove intermediate or surface casings in older wells, as long as other plugging standards are met. The bill maintains existing requirements for filling wells with nonporous materials (like mud or clay) and placing cement plugs at specific intervals above and below oil, gas, or water-bearing strata. This change primarily affects oil and gas well operators who must follow these plugging procedures when abandoning wells.
HB 3164 requires registered sex offenders to pay an annual fee starting in 2025. This law directly affects individuals classified as registered sex offenders under state law, imposing a new financial obligation on them. The key provision mandates an annual payment to the state, replacing or adding to previous requirements. The bill became law after Governor approval on April 28, 2025, and was enacted as Chapter 81 of the 2025 Regular Session.
HB 2013, now law as Chapter 111 of the 2025 Regular Session, allows state government employees to be transferred from "classified" service (typically requiring civil service exams) to "exempt" service (typically managerial or professional roles without such exams). This procedural bill directly affects eligible state employees whose positions may be reclassified under this provision. The key mechanism is a streamlined process for moving employees between these two employment categories within state agencies. The law became effective July 30, 2025.
HB 2014 establishes a state-certified microgrid program, creating a formal process for approving microgrids that meet specific reliability and community benefit standards. It directly affects utility companies, local governments, and community organizations seeking to develop or operate microgrids - localized energy systems that can function independently from the main power grid during outages. The law sets technical requirements for certification, including safety standards, grid interconnection protocols, and community engagement criteria, administered by the state's Public Utility Commission. This replaces previous ad-hoc approvals with a standardized program, ensuring consistent oversight for microgrid projects across the state.
HB 3360 allocates additional state funds to the Economic Development Agency's (EDA) Bridge Loan Fund, which provides short-term financing to small businesses for urgent operational needs. This supplemental appropriation directly affects eligible small businesses that qualify for EDA bridge loans, typically those facing temporary cash flow challenges. The bill adds $1.5 million to the existing fund, expanding the pool of available capital without changing eligibility rules or creating new program requirements. The measure was enacted as Chapter 24 of the 2025 Regular Session Acts after approval by the governor on April 17, 2025.
HB 3373 extends the automatic expiration date (sunset) of the Tourism Development Act from its original date to December 31, 2030. This change ensures existing tourism development programs, funding, and initiatives under the Act will continue operating without interruption until 2030. The bill directly affects state tourism agencies, local economic development entities, and businesses relying on tourism-related programs funded through this Act. It modifies the Act’s sunset provision to delay its expiration, providing long-term stability for these programs. The bill became law on April 25, 2025, as Chapter 35 of the 2025 Regular Session.
HB 3144 establishes clear timelines for local governments to review wireless infrastructure applications in West Virginia. It requires local authorities to approve or deny applications for colocation (adding equipment to existing structures) within 90 days or for new structures within 150 days, creating a "shot clock" mechanism. If a local government fails to act within these periods, it is presumed not to have acted within a reasonable timeframe. The bill directly affects wireless companies seeking to deploy facilities and local governments responsible for reviewing applications, while explicitly preserving existing state laws on small wireless facilities and pre-emption of local ordinances.
