HB 2761 increases the monetary jurisdictional limit for civil cases in West Virginia magistrate courts from $20,000 to a higher amount. This change directly affects individuals and small businesses involved in civil disputes where the value exceeds $20,000 but falls within the new threshold. The bill amends the existing law to allow magistrate courts to handle more significant civil matters without requiring transfer to higher courts. The measure does not alter magistrate courts' jurisdiction over other areas like eviction cases or property disputes without title disputes. The bill became effective on July 7, 2025.
HB 2358 sets specific timelines for postmortem examinations in West Virginia. It requires autopsies requested by prosecutors or courts to be completed within 72 hours of a death being received by the medical examiner's office, and mandates that autopsy reports be provided to prosecutors within 24 hours of completion. The bill also requires medical examiners to notify the Sudden Infant Death Syndrome program in infant deaths where SIDS is suspected and to report drug overdose deaths to the Controlled Substances Monitoring Program. These provisions directly affect medical examiners, prosecutors, hospitals (for quality review), physicians, and public health programs.
HB 3369 is a supplemental funding bill that adds $596,981 for "Increased Enrollment" and increases "Safe Schools" funding by $1.25 million from the state's unappropriated surplus balance. It directly affects West Virginia's public schools and the State Department of Education by providing additional resources for school enrollment growth and safety programs during fiscal year 2025. The bill supplements existing education appropriations without creating new policies or changing eligibility rules. It was approved by the legislature and governor in April 2025, with funds allocated for use before June 30, 2025.
HB 3352 is a supplemental budget bill that allocates $39,376,837 from an unappropriated surplus balance in West Virginia's General Revenue Fund to the Department of Human Services' Medicaid program for fiscal year 2025. This funding directly supports ongoing Medicaid services for eligible residents by supplementing existing appropriations through the Bureau for Medical Services - Policy and Programming. The bill adds a new line item ("Medical Services - Surplus") to the existing Medicaid budget account, using leftover state funds identified in the Governor's 2025 budget document. It does not change Medicaid eligibility or benefits but ensures continued funding for current operations using available surplus revenue. The bill was enacted into law on April 17, 2025, after approval by the legislature and governor.
This bill establishes a pilot program allowing the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to use design-build contracting for environmental infrastructure projects. It directly affects the DEP and contractors selected for these projects by setting specific procedures for program administration, including project selection criteria and contractor qualification requirements. The key provision requires the DEP to follow defined steps when implementing the pilot, ensuring transparency and compliance with state procurement rules for environmental work. The program is limited to a specific duration and scope as outlined in the law.
HB 3358 is a procedural funding bill that adds $21 million to the existing federal funds for West Virginia's Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. It directly affects the Department of Human Services' TANF program (Fund 8816, Fiscal Year 2025) by supplementing its current budget allocation. The bill increases the appropriation for "Current Expenses" under this fund to support ongoing assistance for low-income families. This is a routine budget adjustment, not a new policy, and was approved by the governor in April 2025.
HB 2054 limits the liability of vendors selling food or agricultural products at private farmers markets for certain claims, such as foodborne illness or product defects. It directly affects vendors operating at these markets by shielding them from lawsuits related to food safety or product issues under specific conditions. The law creates a clear legal standard, ensuring vendors aren't held personally liable for such matters when selling directly to consumers at private market locations.
HB 3272 (West Virginia) changes eviction procedures by requiring courts to schedule eviction hearings within 5-10 judicial days of filing the petition. Tenants must be given 5 days after receiving notice to file a written defense to the eviction claim. The bill directly affects residential tenants and landlords in eviction cases by shortening timelines and clarifying notice requirements. It amends West Virginia Code §55-3A-1 to ensure timely judicial review of eviction petitions. The law takes effect July 11, 2025.
HB 3347 adds $15 million to the Department of Administration’s Division of General Services budget for capital outlay, repairs, and equipment during fiscal year 2025. It uses an unappropriated surplus balance from the State Fund, General Revenue, to fund ongoing building maintenance and facility improvements across state properties. The bill directly affects state agencies managing public buildings by providing funding for necessary infrastructure upkeep. This procedural budget adjustment does not create new policies or impact specific communities. The bill was approved by the Governor and became law on July 21, 2025.
HB 2897 requires the West Virginia Legislative Auditor to conduct regular performance and financial audits of the West Virginia Department of Education. The bill authorizes the Auditor to examine the Department’s finances, records, and operations while protecting the confidentiality of any protected information. It mandates that the initial audit be completed by December 1, 2025, and reported to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance and the Legislative Oversight Commission on Education Accountability.
HB 3275 updates West Virginia's appeal process by removing outdated language and aligning deadlines with current court procedures. It replaces the previous fixed four-month deadline for filing appeals and the circuit court extension rules with a system where appeal deadlines (for notices, perfecting appeals, and related documents) are set by the Supreme Court of Appeals through its own rules. This change directly affects anyone filing appeals in the Intermediate Court of Appeals or Supreme Court of Appeals, including plaintiffs, defendants, and their attorneys. The bill corrects an inconsistency where appeals were no longer initiated by "petitions" as previously stated in law.
HB 3030 updates administrative procedures for implementing West Virginia's existing Water Pollution Control Act. It affects state environmental agencies (like the DEP) responsible for enforcing water pollution regulations. The bill clarifies agency processes for permitting, monitoring, and enforcement under the current law but does not create new pollution standards or regulations. The bill was approved by the Governor on April 25, 2025, and became law on July 21, 2025.
