SB 549 would increase the daily payment for jurors in West Virginia from a current range of $15 to $40 per day to a new range of $40 to $100 per day. This change applies to both trial jurors (petit jurors) and grand jurors serving on court cases. The bill replaces the previous minimum of $15 with a new minimum of $40 and raises the maximum from $40 to $100. The reimbursement remains determined by the court and paid from the state treasury, but ensures jurors receive at least $40 per day.
HCR 22 is a concurrent resolution requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to study policy options that could accelerate the ordering and deployment of electric generation equipment in West Virginia. It specifically asks the committee to examine mechanisms like state-backed deposit guarantees, regulatory frameworks for cost recovery, and accelerated depreciation schedules to reduce delays in equipment procurement. The study aims to support grid reliability, economic growth, and West Virginia’s goal of reaching 50 gigawatts of generation capacity by 2050, while protecting ratepayers and taxpayers. It does not create new laws but seeks recommendations for potential legislative action based on the committee’s findings.
This House Resolution (HR 18) formally congratulates the West Virginia All Airborne Chapter of the 82nd Airborne Association for being named "Chapter of the Year for 2025" by the national association. It recognizes specific achievements listed in the resolution, including the chapter's "82nd Airborne Mustang" symbol, disaster relief efforts in California and Tennessee, fundraising for community events like Bridge Day and Christmas dinners, and their "All the Way" spirit. As a symbolic resolution, it has no legal effect or policy changes - it merely offers formal recognition to the veterans' chapter. The resolution was introduced in the West Virginia House of Delegates on February 19, 2026.
SB 998 creates a loan repayment program targeting mental health professionals who treat children and adolescents in West Virginia. It directly affects licensed providers in fields like clinical psychologists, social workers, and nurse practitioners who meet specific eligibility criteria. The program repays student loans annually based on 12 consecutive months of full-time employment in the state, with a maximum of 10 years of repayment. To qualify, applicants must hold a West Virginia license, have eligible student loans in good standing, and maintain full-time employment in the designated field.
SB 1001 establishes West Virginia's Nuclear Lifecycle and Advanced Fuel Cycle Development Act, authorizing state-level support for federally licensed nuclear fuel activities like enrichment, recycling, storage, and transportation. The bill creates a Nuclear Lifecycle Development Fund to support infrastructure, workforce training, and matching federal grants for a "Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campus." It explicitly states that state agencies cannot block federally authorized nuclear operations and requires all activities to comply with U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission rules. The legislation directly affects nuclear energy developers, federal partners like the Department of Energy, and communities hosting potential facilities.
SB 932 amends West Virginia's food safety law to explicitly classify cultivated meat products as "adulterated foods." It directly affects producers and sellers of cultivated meat in the state by subjecting these products to existing prohibitions against adulterated food under §16-7-2. The bill adds a specific definition to the law, stating that cultivated meat - defined as food made by growing animal cells in a lab to mimic meat - is considered adulterated. This change means such products would be prohibited from being sold as regular food under current state law, without creating new regulatory requirements. The bill focuses solely on the legal classification, not on the safety or market impact of cultivated meat.
This bill, titled "Third Amendment Reaffirmation and Protection Act," is misleading - the actual content relates to jury service, not the U.S. Constitution's Third Amendment (which prohibits forced quartering of soldiers). It adds a provision (Section 52-1-8(d)) stating that active-duty military members serving outside West Virginia but maintaining West Virginia residency cannot be disqualified from jury service (though they may request excusal). The bill also includes standard jury service rules, such as requiring reasonable accommodations for disabled jurors and excusing those 70+ years old. Introduced in the West Virginia Senate on February 19, 2026, it remains pending before the Judiciary Committee.
HCR 21 is a study resolution requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to examine whether West Virginia counties should direct a portion of new property tax revenue from large-scale investments (like manufacturing or energy projects) toward property tax relief for primary residence homeowners. The study would assess thresholds for "significant" revenue growth, prioritize relief for retirees, develop revenue allocation formulas, and analyze constitutional requirements for such a policy. It does not create new tax relief but evaluates feasibility and implementation details, including safeguards to maintain funding for schools and public safety. The committee must report findings by 2027, potentially leading to future legislation or constitutional amendments.
SB 994 requires West Virginia Medicaid to set reimbursement rates for outpatient mental health services at the same level as Medicare Part B rates. It directly affects mental health providers in licensed behavioral health centers who offer services like psychotherapy, medication management, and psychiatric evaluations for adults, children, and families. The bill mandates a state board to develop a proposal for these rate increases by July 1, 2026, ensuring Medicaid rates never fall below Medicare rates for identical services. This change aims to improve payment equity for mental health care providers participating in Medicaid.
HB 5176 creates a searchable online database managed by the West Virginia State Police for individuals convicted of specific animal cruelty offenses, including violations of sections like §61-8-19 (cruelty to animals). The database will include names, birth dates, offense details, and county of conviction for those convicted of listed misdemeanor or felony animal abuse crimes. Convicted individuals must pay a $125 annual fee (to be paid to their county State Police office) to maintain their listing, with fees deposited into a dedicated State Police fund. Removal from the database is possible after 5 years for misdemeanors or 15 years for felonies (with proof of rehabilitation), or immediately if the conviction is expunged or pardoned.
SB 1010 limits landowner liability when all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) are operated for recreational purposes on private property under specific conditions. It defines "noncommercial recreational activity" to include ATV riding and sets a $50 annual charge cap per participant for such use - landowners cannot be held liable if this cap is not exceeded. The bill applies to landowners who allow recreational ATV use without charging more than $50 yearly per rider, excluding commercial operations or activities exceeding this limit. This change aims to protect landowners from lawsuits related to ATV accidents during permitted recreational use.
SB 995 requires West Virginia's Secretary of Health to submit monthly reports to the Legislature detailing how state funds from the federal Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program are spent. The reports must include itemized budgets, vendor lists, programs developed with RHT funds, tracked data variables, and outcomes achieved. This oversight applies to West Virginia's $200 million RHT allocation (2026-2030), which aims to improve rural healthcare access and outcomes. The bill directly affects the Secretary of Health and legislative oversight bodies, mandating transparency without altering the RHT Program's operations.
