HJR 41 proposes a constitutional amendment to change West Virginia's legislative session schedule. It would alternate between a 60-day general session (every other year) where any bill can be considered, and a 30-day session (the following year) limited solely to passing the state budget. During 30-day sessions, lawmakers could only address budget-related matters unless the Governor issues a proclamation or a two-thirds vote of both chambers allows other business. The amendment aims to shorten legislative sessions every other year, with the stated purpose of "saving taxpayers money" by reducing session length. This is a procedural constitutional change affecting how the state legislature organizes its work and budget process.
HB 5633 extends the expiration date of a pilot program run by the Herbert Henderson Office on Minority Affairs, which aims to improve public health through community development in West Virginia. The program, currently set to expire on July 1, 2031, will continue addressing poverty, substance abuse, and other health challenges by coordinating existing state and federal resources like housing services and youth programs. It requires collaboration with nonprofit organizations and targets rural, suburban, and urban communities to improve health outcomes and economic development. The program must report progress to the Select Committee on Minority Affairs Interim Committee.
HB 5650 would permit naturopathic medicine practice in West Virginia by adding it to the state's medical practice laws. It defines naturopathic medicine as a healthcare approach blending modern science with natural therapies and specifies that practitioners must follow all existing medical licensing, training, and Board of Medicine oversight requirements. The bill does not create new regulations but allows naturopathic practitioners to operate under the current medical practice framework. This would directly affect licensed naturopaths seeking to practice in West Virginia, subject to the same standards as other healthcare providers. The bill is currently pending in the House Health and Human Resources Committee (introduced February 17, 2026).
SB 975 amends West Virginia law to exclude counties from receiving reimbursement for inmates declared mentally unfit to stand trial. Specifically, it removes such inmates from the list of individuals for whom counties must pay daily costs to the state correctional fund. This change directly affects counties that currently cover housing costs for inmates in state facilities under §15A-3-16(g). The bill modifies the reimbursement mechanism by excluding these inmates from the per-day cost calculation, shifting the financial responsibility entirely to the state.
SB 974 requires political subdivisions (like counties or cities) to publicly disclose specific reasons before hiring private attorneys on contingency fees - such as why in-house staff or hourly-fee contracts aren't suitable - and submit these to the Attorney General for review. It mandates clear public findings on factors like attorney qualifications, financial resources, and the necessity of contingency arrangements. The bill also clarifies that subdivisions cannot require attorneys to cover their own negligence, while allowing indemnity for attorney negligence. These transparency and oversight rules apply to all new contracts for legal services under contingency fee arrangements.
SB 969 gives West Virginia county school boards the option to purchase professional liability insurance from state-licensed private insurers instead of solely relying on the State Board of Risk and Insurance Management. It requires all covered school staff - including teachers, administrators, and school board members - to have minimum $1.25 million per incident coverage, plus $5 million in excess coverage paid by the county. The bill mandates annual written notice to school personnel detailing their insurance coverage, limits, and defense provisions. This applies to all public schools and charter schools that elect to participate, without changing who is covered under the existing liability framework.
This bill, SB 965, creates a new law (§5A-8-21a) allowing current or retired district attorneys, assistant district attorneys, and district attorney investigators (referred to as "protected individuals") to request that their personal information be withheld from public disclosure by government bodies or third parties. It requires only basic verification of their protected status to process such requests, and permits the judicial administrator's office to make requests on their behalf. The bill explicitly states that this protection does not apply to personal information already publicly posted by the Office of the Secretary of State. The law takes effect on July 1, 2026.
SB 962 requires all West Virginia high school students (public, private, parochial, and denominational) to pass a civics examination, the U.S. Naturalization Exam, and tests on the West Virginia Constitution as a graduation prerequisite. The bill mandates that required courses include instruction on American government structure, historical ideologies (including critical analysis of communism and socialism), and primary source materials. Students must demonstrate factual knowledge of U.S. history, government, and the dangers of historical socialist/communist systems through cumulative assessments. The law also requires schools to provide voter registration opportunities for eligible students. This affects every high school student in West Virginia seeking graduation.
SB 967 amends West Virginia’s Aboveground Storage Tank Act by removing a specific exemption for electrical equipment like transformers. The bill eliminates subsection (L) in §22-30-3, which previously excluded transformers, circuit breakers, and voltage regulators from tank regulations. This change means transformers used as storage containers (e.g., for fluids) will now be subject to the same registration, notice, and signage requirements as other aboveground storage tanks. The bill directly affects owners and operators of such transformers that meet the tank definition under the law. It does not alter how transformers function but clarifies their regulatory status under the state’s tank oversight framework.
SB 968 clarifies rules for selling land abandoned due to unpaid taxes in West Virginia. It requires bidders to register in advance or submit a notarized affidavit, disqualifying those with unpaid property taxes, recent code enforcement violations, or failure to comply with repair orders. Qualifying 501(c)(3) nonprofits focused on housing or public facilities may purchase land if their bid is no more than 5% lower than the highest non-nonprofit bid. Unsold land after auction may be sold without further notice to adjacent landowners, the municipality, county commission, or the state land bank.
This Senate Resolution (SR 43) designates February 17, 2026, as "Local Food and Farm Day" at the West Virginia Capitol. It commemorates West Virginia farmers and food entrepreneurs for their contributions to the state's agriculture, economy, and community health. The resolution specifically acknowledges their role in producing local food, supporting programs like SNAP Stretch, and fostering initiatives such as "Grow This!" and "Food is Medicine." It has no policy or funding impact - it serves solely as a symbolic recognition of the agricultural community's value.
SB 964 creates a "Safe Library Books for Kids Committee" within West Virginia's Department of Tourism. The committee, appointed by the Governor, must review all children's and teen books in public libraries to establish age-appropriate ratings. It will start with youngest readers' books and move up, requiring libraries to place books only in sections matching their rating - unrated books cannot be in children's or teen sections. Violating this rule carries a $500 misdemeanor fine per occurrence. The bill directly affects public libraries and their children's/teen book collections.
