SB 238 amends West Virginia Code §8-12-5 to explicitly allow municipalities to complete highway construction or maintenance work previously requested from the Division of Highways (DOH). This directly affects West Virginia cities and towns, granting them authority to finish such projects themselves instead of relying solely on state highway department execution. The key provision establishes a payment mechanism for municipalities to cover costs associated with completing these previously requested projects. The bill updates existing municipal powers under state law to clarify this new capability without altering the underlying responsibilities of the Division of Highways.
SB 178 requires the West Virginia Division of Highways Commissioner to create and annually submit a comprehensive plan for routine repaving of all asphalt-surfaced state roads. The bill amends existing law to mandate this annual plan, directly affecting the Division of Highways' maintenance operations. Key provisions include establishing a structured repaving schedule and requiring the plan to be presented to the Legislature each year. This focuses on systematic road maintenance rather than new construction or emergency repairs. The bill does not specify funding mechanisms or timelines for repaving.
Senate Bill 22, the "Defend the Guard Act," requires the U.S. Congress to formally declare war or take specific constitutional action before West Virginia National Guard members can be deployed to active-duty combat. The bill defines "active-duty combat" as participating in armed conflict, performing hazardous foreign service, or carrying out war-related duties. It mandates that the West Virginia Governor cannot release Guard members from state control for such deployments without either a congressional war declaration or an official action under the Constitution’s militia clause. This directly affects the West Virginia National Guard, its members, and the Governor’s authority to deploy them.
This bill, SB 216 (Restoring Private Schools Act of 2026), clarifies and updates requirements for private, parochial, and church schools in West Virginia. It mandates these schools to maintain attendance and immunization records, comply with fire/safety inspections, and establish crisis plans. The key provision requires all such schools to administer annually a nationally normed standardized test (matching public school grade/subject requirements) with participation rates equal to public schools, while allowing special education schools alternative assessment methods. Schools must share test results with parents and the state education department upon request. The bill preserves schools' autonomy over curriculum and instruction but formalizes testing and recordkeeping standards.
SB 204 amends West Virginia's Military Incentive Program to extend eligibility to all veterans (not just Vietnam/Korean conflict veterans or specific disabled veterans) and updates program definitions. It designates WorkForce West Virginia as the sole agency administering the program and establishes rulemaking authority. The bill updates key terms like "economically disadvantaged" to align with current federal poverty standards and removes era-specific restrictions. These changes aim to simplify access to the program, which provides tax credits to private employers hiring eligible veterans.
SB 138 amends West Virginia law to align retirement benefits for dependents of State Police officers who take disability retirement with those for officers who retire after 20 years without disability. Currently, disability retirees' dependents receive a flat $6,000 annual benefit, while regular retirees' dependents get either 5.5% of 25 years' average salary or 75% of the retiree's benefit (minimum $5,000). The bill changes this by requiring disability retirees' dependents to receive the same 75% benefit calculation as regular retirees, ensuring comparable support. This directly affects surviving spouses and children of State Police officers who retire due to disability.
SB 79 creates a tax credit for West Virginia businesses that invest in road or highway infrastructure projects or coal production and processing facilities. Eligible taxpayers - such as corporations and consolidated groups subject to the state's severance tax - can claim the credit based on qualified expenditures like labor, materials, equipment, and real property costs for these projects. Businesses must apply for certification before claiming the credit for road projects, and unused credits can be carried forward to future tax years. The credit is transferable to business successors, and failure to maintain required records may trigger penalties.
SB 113 provides a cost-of-living adjustment for certain retired public employees and teachers in West Virginia. It applies to retirees under the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) and Teachers Retirement System (TRS) who are at least 60 years old and have received retirement payments for five or more years. Starting July 1, 2026, these retirees will receive an additional monthly payment equal to the annual increase in the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Consumer Price Index. This adjustment is added to existing retirement benefits and is automatically calculated based on official inflation data each year.
This bill increases the retirement benefit multiplier for West Virginia deputy sheriffs from 2.5% to 3% of their final average salary multiplied by years of credited service. It directly affects deputy sheriffs who retire on or after July 1, 2018, by raising their monthly pension amount under the Deputy Sheriff Retirement System. The change modifies the calculation method in the existing retirement law without altering contribution rates or eligibility rules. This adjustment results in higher retirement benefits for qualifying members based on their salary and service history. The policy change applies specifically to the state's deputy sheriff retirement system, not other public retirement plans.
This bill, SB 31, provides an enhanced retirement benefit for specific West Virginia public retirees. It directly affects retirees over age 77 who retired before June 30, 2020, and have received retirement payments for at least 12 years. The key provision adds a monthly supplement equal to 103% of the retiree's annual retirement payment at age 65, calculated as a compounded amount. This supplement is in addition to existing retirement benefits under the West Virginia Public Employees Retirement Act. The bill does not change eligibility criteria or funding mechanisms beyond this specific payment adjustment.
This bill requires contractors working on state or public construction projects (like roads, buildings, or infrastructure) to pay workers the prevailing wage rate for their trade in the local area. It mandates that public authorities determine and include this rate in contract specifications each year, based on the rate paid to most workers in that trade and location. Contractors must pay at least this rate, maintain records, post wage information, and face criminal penalties for violations, with these rules applying only to new contracts after the law takes effect. The bill does not affect existing contracts or temporary emergency repairs.
SB 106 authorizes the West Virginia Commissioner of Highways to provide additional locality pay to employees working in specific jurisdictions where such pay is needed to recruit and retain staff. The bill allows this extra pay - up to $10,000 annually - to exceed standard salary ranges for those positions. The commissioner must propose rules for legislative approval to implement this policy. This directly affects Division of Highways employees in designated areas, aiming to improve workforce stability through localized pay adjustments.
