SB 1007 clarifies voting eligibility for West Virginia residents living overseas who were previously domiciled in the state. It allows citizens temporarily abroad to vote absentee ballots if they were last registered or eligible to vote in West Virginia, hold valid U.S. citizenship documentation, do not have permanent residency elsewhere, and intend to return. The bill modifies existing absentee voting rules to explicitly include this group under the same criteria as uniformed services voters. It does not create new voting methods but expands access for former West Virginia residents meeting these specific conditions.
HB 5476 requires hospitals in West Virginia to maintain an unaltered audit trail for all electronic health care records, showing who made changes, when, and why. It directly affects hospitals (health care providers) and patients, granting patients the right to review their records, request corrections for inaccuracies within five days, and seek $2,000 minimum damages if records are altered without justification. The bill creates a rebuttable presumption that records were improperly altered if no audit trail exists and prohibits hospitals from retaliating against employees who report tampering. These provisions aim to increase transparency and accountability in medical record-keeping while protecting patient rights.
SB 756 allows state spending units (like departments and agencies) to use "best value procurement" when they determine it benefits the state, expanding an existing authority previously limited to the purchasing director. This method requires selecting bids based on total value - including lifetime costs, technical merit, past performance, and quality - not just the lowest price. The bill specifies that awards must go to the highest-scoring qualified bidder whose proposal is deemed most advantageous in writing, while excluding government construction contracts. It does not create new spending but changes how existing procurement decisions are made across state agencies.
SB 1014 increases Medicaid dental reimbursement rates for providers in West Virginia to address rising costs, as noted in a 2024 state report showing current rates fail to cover service expenses. It expands dental coverage for adults 21+ to include diagnostic, preventative, and restorative services (excluding cosmetic procedures), with a $2,000 annual spending limit per beneficiary. The bill requires the state to implement a dental care system with quality oversight and submit annual cost reports to legislators starting in 2027. A 20% fee increase for dental services must be enacted by December 2028 to align with federal matching requirements.
SB 1009 provides legal immunity from civil lawsuits for staff, volunteers, and board members of West Virginia Child Advocacy Centers (CACs) who make recommendations or render opinions in good faith while performing their official duties. This bill amends West Virginia Code §49-3-101 to explicitly state that such individuals cannot be held liable for civil damages based on their actions within their scope of work. The immunity applies specifically to those acting as part of multidisciplinary teams responding to child abuse allegations, covering activities like forensic interviews, medical evaluations, and victim advocacy coordinated through CACs. It directly affects CAC workers by protecting them from civil claims related to their professional duties, without altering the centers' required services or operational standards.
SB 1013 allows municipal police and firefighters in West Virginia to convert their accrued annual or sick leave into additional retirement service credit. Specifically, they can use unused leave days (at a rate of 1 day for 1 day, with monthly credits calculated at 20 days per month) to increase their retirement pension. However, this converted service cannot count toward the mandatory 20-year service requirement for retirement, and the additional pension benefit is capped at 1% of the member’s average annual salary. The bill applies to participants in municipal pension plans overseen by the Municipal Pensions Oversight Board.
SB 1002 allows West Virginia counties and municipalities to create "special assessment districts" for funding specific utility infrastructure improvements, such as water or sewer systems, that directly benefit new housing developments. Property owners within these defined districts would pay targeted annual fees to cover the costs of the infrastructure they directly use, rather than spreading costs across broader taxpayer bases. The bill requires public hearings, clear boundary definitions, and explicit limits - prohibiting fees from replacing existing services or reducing other public funds. It establishes district boards to oversee projects and ensures funds are used solely for the approved improvements. This policy directly affects property owners in new development areas and local governments seeking to streamline infrastructure financing.
This bill requires West Virginia county school boards to obtain voter approval before closing or consolidating schools, except when a prior construction bond issue already included those schools in its scope. It mandates a public hearing process, including written impact statements detailing effects on student transportation, school finances, enrollment capacity, and staff, and requires the board to consider input from school improvement councils. The countywide referendum must be held during a regular election or special election, and the board cannot proceed unless a majority of voters approve the closure or consolidation. This adds a direct voter check on significant school restructuring decisions.
This bill provides $25,800 in additional funding from unspent state funds to the Department of Veterans' Assistance for building maintenance and repairs under the Veterans’ Facilities Support Fund (Fund 6703). It directly affects veterans' facilities by supplementing existing resources for facility upkeep, using a balance remaining unappropriated for fiscal year 2026. The funding is drawn from the existing $1,800,000 balance in the fund, not new money. The bill was introduced at the Governor’s request to support veterans' infrastructure needs.
SB 1005 requires oil and gas operators in West Virginia to provide detailed monthly reports to royalty owners (mineral rights holders) for all wells. Reports must include well identification, production volumes, sale prices, deductions, and the owner's share of proceeds. Operators must pay royalties within 120 days of production (or 90 days for subsequent sales) and may accumulate payments until exceeding $100, but must pay at least annually. Late payments trigger interest penalties at the prime rate plus 2%, compounded quarterly, with operators liable for legal fees if sued for noncompliance. The bill aims to increase transparency and ensure timely payments for royalty owners.
SB 993 establishes licensing requirements for midwives in West Virginia. It requires applicants to hold a Certified Professional Midwife (CPM) credential from NARM, complete MEAC-accredited education or NARM portfolio evaluation, and meet other criteria like age and high school diploma. The license is valid for two years and requires renewal with current NARM certification, plus proof of participation in perinatal outcome data submission. This directly affects midwives seeking to practice in West Virginia by setting standardized licensing and renewal processes.
SB 887 updates West Virginia's licensing rules for money transmission services to include virtual currency kiosks. It requires businesses operating these kiosks to obtain a money transmission license, sets disclosure requirements for customers using them, and clarifies that kiosks operate as delegates of licensed money transmitters. The bill directly affects businesses offering virtual currency services through kiosks in the state. Key provisions define "virtual currency kiosks" under money transmission regulations, establish a licensure start date for kiosks, and address conflicts between state and federal law on money transmission.
