HB 5628 requires West Virginia's Department of Human Services to develop policies that prevent the sudden loss of child care assistance when families experience modest income increases. It directly affects low-income families who would otherwise lose subsidies abruptly as their earnings rise slightly, creating instability in child care arrangements. Key provisions include implementing graduated phase-outs (so assistance decreases gradually), expanding sliding fee scales based on income, raising income thresholds for continued eligibility, and establishing transitional support periods. The department must adopt these policies by January 1, 2027, and submit annual reports on implementation to the legislature.
HB 5596 amends West Virginia law to redirect certain court costs from criminal convictions into the West Virginia State Police Forensic Laboratory Fund. Specifically, it adds $20 for misdemeanor convictions and $20 for felony convictions to be deposited into the fund, plus an additional $50 for any conviction where the forensic lab's resources were used. These costs, which would otherwise go to other funds like courthouse improvements, are now directed to support the forensic lab's operations. The bill affects individuals convicted of misdemeanors or felonies in West Virginia court proceedings.
HB 5614, the Truth in Giving Act, requires thrift retailers selling donated goods to clearly disclose whether donations support charitable organizations or for-profit businesses. Thrift operators must display specific information at donation points (like drop boxes or mobile units) and at checkout, including a mandatory statement for non-charitable operations: "THIS IS NOT A CHARITY. DONATIONS MADE HERE SUPPORT A FOR-PROFIT BUSINESS." The bill mandates disclosure of the entity's name, address, and contact details to donors and customers, with violations subject to fines up to $1,000 per offense. Introduced in West Virginia's House on February 16, 2026, it is currently under review by the Judiciary Committee.
HB 5549, the "Citizen and State Accountability Act," requires West Virginia state and local government agencies to seek the Governor’s written consent before accepting certain grants. For grants over $1 million ("major grants"), agencies must submit a detailed 60-day analysis covering costs, policy impacts, and compliance requirements to the Governor and a fiscal office. For smaller grants ($1 million or less, "minor grants"), agencies must notify the Governor one week before submission. The bill mandates public reporting on all grants and creates a public database for transparency, but does not change existing grant programs.
HB 5533, the West Virginia Federal Constitutional Authority Clarification Act, establishes a process for the state to review and potentially reject federal court decisions it deems unconstitutional or exceeding federal authority. The bill creates a Joint Committee on Constitutional Review to evaluate federal judicial rulings that conflict with West Virginia's state constitution or the U.S. Constitution's Tenth Amendment, which reserves powers to states. State officials would be required to follow this review process, and enforcing rejected federal rulings could face criminal penalties under the bill. It directly affects state government operations, including courts and executive agencies, by mandating state-level constitutional review of federal court decisions.
HB 5590 requires certified high impact data centers (HIDCs) in West Virginia to disclose anticipated water usage before construction and submit projected withdrawal volumes to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The bill limits DEP review to water quantity only, denying approval only if withdrawals would reduce water supply below levels needed to meet existing lawful demands (e.g., public water systems, agriculture, or other users) during droughts. HIDCs must also report actual annual water usage, comparing it to projections, and may use existing reports to satisfy this requirement. The bill explicitly states it does not create new permitting, expand water quality regulations, or apply to power plants or microgrids.
HB 5539 would allow West Virginia employers (both public and private) to give hiring preference to unemployed coal miners who meet specific criteria. To qualify, a miner must have worked in coal mining for at least five years, been unemployed as a coal miner for over one year, not be retired, and not have been fired for cause (like safety violations). Employers could prioritize these miners only if they meet all job-specific knowledge, skills, and eligibility requirements. The bill aims to support coal miners displaced by industry changes by creating a legal pathway for targeted hiring. This is a proposed policy change, not yet enacted.
HB 5572 creates new regulations for vape and smoke shops in West Virginia, requiring them to obtain county health department permits and comply with specific operating rules. The bill sets location restrictions (e.g., distance from schools), mandates advertising that does not appeal to minors, establishes inspection standards, and imposes fines for violations. It directly affects businesses selling alternative nicotine products like e-cigarettes, requiring them to apply for permits and follow updated safety and property standards. The law also defines key terms such as "alternative nicotine product" and "permit" to clarify compliance requirements.
HB 5601 redirects $1 million from West Virginia's Civil Contingent Fund to the Office of Resiliency for disaster case management services. It creates a new grant program requiring competitive awards to organizations with a physical office in West Virginia, operational capacity to serve residents, and experience in disaster recovery. The bill defines "disaster case management" as hands-on support for households - including needs assessments, FEMA assistance, housing navigation, and recovery planning - to help them access federal, state, and nonprofit resources after disasters. Organizations receiving grants must coordinate with Long-Term Recovery Organizations and meet reporting requirements, with funds exclusively for case management services administered through the Disaster Recovery Trust Fund.
HB 5610, titled the "Granting Relatives Access to Monitor Act" (GRAM'S Act), allows residents of West Virginia long-term care facilities (such as nursing homes) or their authorized representatives (like guardians or attorneys in fact) to install electronic monitoring devices (cameras or audio recorders) in their rooms. To do so, the resident or representative must pay for the device and installation (excluding electricity), complete a facility-provided form, and obtain consent from other residents sharing the room. The bill requires facilities to provide consent forms and prohibits unauthorized monitoring, with violations treated as license violations subject to criminal penalties. This directly affects residents seeking monitoring for safety, their families, and long-term care facilities managing these requests.
HB 5534 would reclassify titled vehicles (like cars and trucks) in West Virginia from a higher tax class (Class IV) to a lower tax class (Class II) for property tax purposes. This change would directly affect vehicle owners in municipalities who pay personal property tax on their titled vehicles, excluding mobile homes. The bill modifies West Virginia Code §11-8-5 to move titled vehicles from municipal Class IV valuation to residential Class II valuation. If passed, this would lower the taxable value of these vehicles, reducing their property tax burden compared to current rates. The bill is currently pending in the House Finance Committee.
HB 5568 amends West Virginia law to clarify how payments are made for services provided to children in court cases under Chapter 49 (child welfare and family proceedings). It requires courts to order the agency with legal custody of a child to pay for professional services (such as therapy or counseling) at Medicaid rates, or at a higher rate if services aren’t provided within 30 days. The bill also covers "socially necessary services" provided by approved entities, with reimbursement rates set by the Department of Human Services. This ensures state funds are used efficiently by requiring a direct connection between the services and the legal case.
