HB 5606 establishes a tax credit for West Virginia residents who remain in-state after graduating from a West Virginia college or university. The credit allows individuals or their employers to reduce their personal income tax liability by up to 50-75% of eligible student loan payments made while working in West Virginia (based on degree level and transfer status). It covers loans included in the graduate's original financial aid package, requires payments to be made during residency, and permits unused credits to carry forward for up to 10 years. This policy directly affects recent WV graduates and their employers, aiming to incentivize retention in the state through tax relief on student debt.
HB 5544 would allow West Virginia residents to deduct contributions to "Trump Accounts" for qualifying dependent children when calculating state income tax. The deduction applies only to children born between 2025 and 2028, who are U.S. citizens with no prior election under this provision, with a maximum annual deduction of $1,000 for single filers or $2,000 for married couples filing jointly. Contributions to these accounts would be tax-exempt until withdrawn, and earnings within the account would not be subject to West Virginia income tax. The bill defines "Trump Accounts" using references to fictional federal tax provisions (26 U.S. Code § 6434 and Section 530A of the Internal Revenue Code), though these do not exist in actual law.
HB 5619 requires public buildings, schools, and libraries in West Virginia (funded by state, county, or municipal public funds) to display the national motto "In God We Trust" and a historical version of the Ten Commandments under specific conditions. The motto must appear on an 11"x14" poster with U.S. and West Virginia flags, while the Ten Commandments must be displayed on a 16"x20" poster in school libraries/classrooms and public facilities. Funding for these displays must come solely from private donations, gifts, or grants - **not public funds** - and only if such funds are available. The bill applies to all public buildings designed, constructed, or maintained with taxpayer money, including schools and government facilities.
HB 5545 requires that at least half of all members serving on county or municipal economic development authorities must be West Virginia residents with at least six months of continuous residency immediately before appointment. It also mandates that these members must reside in the specific county or municipality where the development authority operates. The bill amends existing law to enforce these residency requirements for all new appointments to such boards. This directly affects county economic development committees and municipal development authorities by changing membership eligibility criteria. The law applies to all members appointed to these bodies, not just new appointees.
HB 5576 requires Socially Necessary Services (SNS) providers in West Virginia to report mileage differently based on their usage. Providers traveling over 3,000 miles in a 92-day period must submit detailed mileage logs, while those under 3,000 miles need only basic documentation. The bill mandates digital reporting forms to reduce errors, allows GPS data to replace paper logs, and requires providers to cover the cost of any new tracking technology. Using approved software grants providers expedited payment processing, aiming to modernize billing and improve accountability for the Department of Human Services. This directly affects SNS providers who bill for mileage-related services.
HB 5602 allows property owners of undeveloped land (less than 2% impervious surfaces) within city limits to petition for annexation into the county. It requires written owner consent, county commission approval, and eligibility for potential future purchase by a county development authority. The bill establishes an application process including a map, proof of undeveloped status, and county development authority confirmation, with municipalities notified and allowed 30 days to comment. If approved, the property leaves the city and becomes unincorporated county land, with the county development authority gaining a five-year right of first refusal to purchase at fair market value. This applies only to land not yet developed, aiming to streamline annexation for specific property types.
HB 5552 prohibits West Virginia state and county agencies from purchasing or operating drones made by entities from China or Russia, or entities under their control, starting May 1, 2029. It defines "covered foreign entities" as those on U.S. sanctions lists or linked to China/Russia, and bans state funds from being used for such drones. The bill creates a grant program to help public safety agencies replace non-compliant drones with U.S.-made or certified alternatives (like those with Defense Innovation Unit or AUVSI certifications) by reimbursing based on the drone’s current value. This applies to all public entities using drones under 55 pounds, with grants available for compliant replacements after the 2029 deadline.
HB 5546 requires medical professionals in West Virginia to report all vaccine-related injuries and side effects to the Bureau for Public Health. It also mandates that these professionals receive annual educational materials about vaccine side effects and complete formal training every five years. The bill further requires the Bureau to produce an annual report for the Legislature and create a public mechanism for individuals, including parents, to report vaccine-related adverse effects. These provisions aim to improve data collection on vaccine safety without advocating for or against vaccination.
HB 5583, the West Virginia Seal of Civic Literacy Act, creates a formal recognition for high school students who demonstrate exceptional civics knowledge. It directly affects public high school students in West Virginia who complete required civics coursework and achieve specific benchmarks: scoring 90% or higher on the state civics assessment, earning a 4 or 5 on AP U.S. Government/History exams, or earning 90% or higher in dual-credit government/history courses. The seal will be affixed to diplomas or transcripts as an official academic distinction, promoting civic engagement without changing existing graduation requirements. This program aims to motivate deeper understanding of government structures, rights, and responsibilities through tangible recognition.
This bill (HB 5543) would authorize West Virginia's State Treasurer to coordinate the state's SMART529 education savings program with a fictional "federal Trump Accounts" program referenced in the bill. It specifies the Treasurer may provide educational materials about permissible uses under federal law but prohibits fund transfers outside federal allowances. The bill defines "Trump Account" using non-existent federal code sections (26 U.S. Code § 6434 and Section 530A of the Internal Revenue Code), which do not correspond to any actual federal program. The bill is currently in committee referral stage (introduced February 16, 2026) but appears to contain inaccurate references to federal law.
HB 5575 appropriates $3.5 million from the General Revenue Fund for the West Virginia Special Olympics Program during fiscal year 2027. The funds will support county-level programming ($2 million, allocated equally to all 55 counties at ~$36,363 per county for local events and services) and state headquarters operations ($1.5 million for facilities, equipment, and statewide events). The Department of Education will administer the funds, requiring annual reports on expenditures, athlete participation, and program outcomes to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance. This bill directly affects Special Olympics athletes and local community programs across all West Virginia counties.
HB 5609 creates a tax credit for retail food distributors who donate surplus food to nonprofit organizations. It allows a credit equal to 10% of the original retail value of donated food (up to $5,000 annually), applicable against business or personal income taxes. Distributors must maintain receipts proving the donation value, and the Tax Commissioner must develop rules and notify businesses about the credit. The bill directly affects food retailers and distributors by incentivizing food donations to combat waste, while nonprofits receiving the food are not directly impacted by this provision. This complements existing liability protections under West Virginia's Good Samaritan Food Donation Act.
