SB 1037 would allow the death penalty for first-degree murder committed during a sexual abuse conviction (in the first degree) when the victim is under 12 years old and the defendant is over 18. The bill requires prosecutors to notify the court and defendant within 45 days of arraignment if seeking the death penalty, including the specific reasons they will argue for it. It also establishes procedures for jury selection, sentencing, and automatic review of death penalty cases by the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals. The bill repeals West Virginia’s existing ban on the death penalty to permit this specific application.
HB 4962 creates a legal process for residents, tenants, or community groups to address drug activity on properties. To file a lawsuit, they must prove specific neighborhood harms like increased police calls, trash accumulation, safety concerns, or diminished property values. Property owners found responsible for drug-related nuisances face civil penalties or criminal charges under this law.
This House Resolution urges the Capitol Building Commission and Department of Administration to assess and address hazardous trees along California Avenue and Kanawha Boulevard on the State Capitol Complex grounds. The resolution requests an immediate evaluation of trees that have caused property damage through falling limbs and broken trunks over the past two years. It specifically asks officials to trim trees back to the grass side of sidewalks or remove and replace hazardous trees to protect public safety and state property. This non-binding resolution directs state agencies to take preventative maintenance actions without mandating specific enforcement measures.
HB 5416 requires unincorporated religious organizations (like churches not formally registered as nonprofits) to provide public notice before selling property or taking loans secured by property. Specifically, it mandates either publishing a legal notice in a county newspaper or announcing the sale/loan twice during services at the church. This applies only to groups not incorporated under West Virginia law (excluding existing nonprofit religious corporations). The bill does not change rules for incorporated religious entities, which follow their own bylaws and state nonprofit corporation laws.
This is a ceremonial Senate resolution (SR 54), not a substantive bill. It formally recognizes Christy Martin of Mullens, West Virginia, for her pioneering career in women's boxing, including her induction into the West Virginia Boxing Hall of Fame (2015) and International Boxing Hall of Fame (2020), as well as the 2025 release of her biographical film *Christy*. The resolution has no binding effect or policy changes - it serves solely as symbolic acknowledgment of her achievements and legacy. The resolution was adopted unanimously by the Senate on February 26, 2026.
HB 5454 creates a legislative select committee to oversee West Virginia's Fusion Center, which collects and shares law enforcement intelligence. The committee - composed of balanced House and Senate members with security clearances - gains access to Fusion Center operations for review, but cannot view classified federal information or personal details like addresses or identities. The bill mandates annual audits of the Fusion Center, establishes privacy safeguards for handling sensitive data, and requires committee meetings to remain confidential under state law. This directly affects the Fusion Center's oversight structure and its interactions with state legislators.
HB 5474 creates a tax credit for businesses in West Virginia's outdoor recreation industry located between Charleston and the New River Gorge. The bill directly affects qualifying outdoor recreation businesses operating in this specific corridor, including those offering activities like hiking, biking, and fishing. It establishes a tax credit to reduce business taxes for eligible operations, aiming to encourage economic growth and job creation in the region. The legislation cites the area's natural resources, transportation access, and appeal to remote workers as key reasons for this incentive.
Senate Resolution 51 (SR 51) designates February 26, 2026, as "Human Resources Day" at the Louisiana State Legislature. The resolution recognizes Human Resources professionals for their role in supporting workplace safety, diversity, and adapting to evolving workplace challenges like technology changes. It does not create new laws or policies but formally commemorates their contributions. The resolution was adopted by the Senate on February 26, 2026, with a voice vote.
HB 5210 comprehensively updates West Virginia's water infrastructure laws to support public water and wastewater utilities. It creates a voluntary "Struggling Utilities Improvement Pilot Program" to help six to ten struggling utilities address issues before reaching a "distressed" status, while prioritizing low-interest loans for public utilities over private ones. The bill requires mandatory training for municipal officials overseeing water systems, mandates reporting to county commissions, and establishes a new "improvement period" for utilities on the distressed watch list. It also modifies funding rules to prevent state support for utilities with serious regulatory noncompliance or financial audit issues, and allows public utilities to secure customer use contracts before project funding.
SB 880, titled "Recognizing Judea and Samaria," requires West Virginia state agencies to replace the term "West Bank" with "Judea and Samaria" in all official government materials, including rules, press releases, and communications. The bill defines "official government material" broadly and prohibits using state funds to create such materials referencing the territory as the "West Bank." It allows limited waivers for agency heads who provide written justification to the Legislature or Governor. This is a procedural naming change affecting only state communications, not land policy or citizen rights.
SB 759 updates West Virginia's auctioneer licensing and regulatory rules. It raises the required bond amount for auctioneers, shifts fee-setting authority to legislative rule (replacing board discretion), and removes the board's ability to use applicant records for screening. The bill extends the period an apprentice auctioneer may work after license expiration, clarifies complaint investigation procedures, and directs civil penalties to the Department of Agriculture. These changes directly affect licensed auctioneers, auction firms, and the regulatory board overseeing the profession.
SB 935 repeals a tax exemption for certain coal-fired power plants in West Virginia, directly affecting owners/operators of coal plants operational before January 1, 1995. The bill reduces the taxable generating capacity for these plants to 45% of their official capability (instead of 100%) for tax years starting July 1, 2021, but requires plants to remain operational until at least July 1, 2025, to qualify. If such plants close before July 1, 2025, owners must repay tax savings through a recapture tax, though federal mandates exempting closures avoid this requirement. The law applies specifically to "merchant power plants" (independent generators) and modifies existing tax calculation rules under West Virginia Code §11-13-2o.
