SB 176 amends West Virginia law to increase the number of non-traditional instruction days that count toward the required 180 instructional days from five to ten days per school year. This change directly affects West Virginia school districts and teachers, allowing counties to use up to five days for alternative instruction during closures (e.g., weather-related school shutdowns) and up to five additional days for teacher-led instructional improvement activities without students present. The bill specifies that these days count as full instructional days for both student calendar requirements and teacher employment terms. It does not change the total instructional time needed but provides greater flexibility in scheduling closures and professional development.
SB 450 establishes a 25% state income tax credit for property owners who rehabilitate certified historic buildings in West Virginia. It directly affects residential and non-residential property owners who work on structures listed on the National Register of Historic Places or within designated historic districts, after review by the West Virginia Division of Culture and History. The credit applies to "qualified rehabilitation expenditures" meeting specific criteria, including a requirement that rehabilitation costs equal at least 20% of the building's assessed value. The bill reorganizes existing historic preservation tax rules into a new centralized article (§11-13NN) with defined terms and procedures for claiming the credit.
HB 4994 requires utilities (like power and gas companies) to move or adjust their lines from state highway rights-of-way when needed for road construction projects. It mandates the state’s Highway Division to provide utilities with up to 18 months’ written notice and specific procedures for submitting relocation plans and work schedules. The bill also requires the state to reimburse utilities for work they must redo if highway project plans change after construction begins. Utilities are not held liable for delays caused by state schedule changes, incomplete right-of-way acquisitions, or extreme weather, as outlined in the bill.
HB 4601 expands West Virginia's Child Abuse and Neglect Investigations Unit from a minimum of six to at least 21 members, requiring each of the 21 State Police districts to contribute at least one retired officer. The bill establishes unit offices in every State Police district (located within Human Services offices) and allows honorably retired State Police officers to rejoin under specific conditions - without accruing pension rights and after completing required training in areas like firearms and child abuse investigation protocols. The unit must coordinate with Child Protective Services, maintain statewide statistical data on child abuse/neglect convictions (without identifying individuals), and submit annual reports to the legislature. This directly affects Child Protective Services offices, law enforcement agencies, and retired State Police officers who may rejoin the unit.
SB 720 establishes the West Virginia Comprehensive Student and Family Support Act to create a coordinated system of services for students facing barriers like emotional, behavioral, or developmental challenges that risk academic failure, suspension, or out-of-home placement. It directly affects eligible students in West Virginia public schools who are at risk of dropout, exclusion, or placement, prioritizing those transitioning from juvenile justice or foster care. The bill creates a state fund to pool public resources, requires local teams to coordinate education, health, and social services, and mandates outcome tracking (like attendance and behavioral progress) through a State Oversight Office within the West Virginia Department of Education. This system aims to reduce duplication, improve educational outcomes, and ensure accountability via annual reporting and audits.
HJR 35 proposes adding a constitutional amendment requiring West Virginia to provide free early childhood education for all children in the state. The amendment would create a new Section 8 in Article XII of the state constitution, stating that "the Legislature shall provide, by general law, for a thorough and efficient system of free schools including early childhood education." If approved by voters in the 2026 general election, this would establish a constitutional right to early childhood education, directly affecting all West Virginia children and requiring the legislature to fund and implement such programs. The resolution is currently in committee referral after its February 2026 introduction.
SB 728 authorizes West Virginia county commissions to increase pay for elected county officials, including county commissioners, sheriffs, clerks, assessors, and prosecuting attorneys. The bill allows counties to adjust compensation based on new duties imposed since 2015 (such as additional responsibilities from state laws or federal acts) and changes in local property valuations. It modifies existing compensation rules to align with constitutional limits while giving counties flexibility to set pay levels that reflect their specific economic conditions. The bill does not set new pay rates but enables local officials to make these decisions through their commissions. The bill was introduced in the Senate on February 3, 2026, and referred to committees.
SB 722 requires West Virginia's Division of Natural Resources (DNR) officers to obtain a warrant or the landowner's permission before entering private property, except in emergencies. This directly affects landowners, who can deny entry without a warrant, and DNR officers, who must follow this procedure during routine operations. The bill clarifies that DNR officers cannot enter private land without a warrant or consent, with an exception only for immediate threats to public safety, such as accidents or emergencies. This amendment updates existing law to explicitly protect property rights during DNR activities.
SB 732 would permit Child Protective Services (CPS) workers to audio record all investigatory interactions with individuals under investigation for child abuse or neglect allegations. This applies to all CPS interactions, including home visits, but requires either the person’s informed consent or a court order when privacy expectations exist (e.g., in private homes). Recordings must be stored for the entire duration of the case. The bill directly affects CPS workers, families under investigation, and CPS offices, changing how investigations are documented without restricting case types or requiring new court referrals.
SB 727 clarifies disclosure requirements for out-of-state banks merging with or acquiring West Virginia state-chartered banks or branches. The bill mandates that acquiring banks provide written confirmation to the West Virginia Banking Commissioner, committing to comply with all state laws (including consumer protection), maintain proper deposit insurance, and meet capital standards if the merged bank becomes state-chartered. This applies specifically to mergers where an out-of-state bank takes control of a West Virginia bank or its branches. The law does not change existing deposit limits but ensures clearer and more specific disclosure processes for such transactions.
HJR 36 is a constitutional amendment proposal (not a regular bill) that would add a new section to West Virginia's Constitution guaranteeing reproductive rights. It states that every individual has the right to make decisions about contraception, fertility treatment, pregnancy, miscarriage care, and abortion, with the state prohibited from interfering unless using the least restrictive means for health. The amendment allows abortion restrictions after fetal viability (when a fetus can survive outside the womb with medical care) only if a physician determines it's necessary to protect the patient's life or health. This proposal requires voter approval in the 2026 general election to become part of the state constitution.
SB 721 updates West Virginia's rules for self-storage rental agreements. It clarifies key terms like "occupant," "personal property," and "rental agreement," and requires operators to include specific notices about liens and property removal in all agreements. The bill sets a 30-day default period (instead of 60 days) before operators can remove or sell stored items for unpaid fees, mandates notice via newspaper, email, or online, and states that unsigned agreements bind renters if they use the space for over 30 days after receiving the agreement. These changes directly affect self-storage facility operators and renters using storage units in West Virginia.
