SB 951 closes the Parent Education and Mediation Fund, which previously funded parent education and mediation programs, effective July 1, 2026. Any unspent money in the fund will be transferred to the Family Court Fund. The bill also redirects the portion of jury costs that would have gone to the Parent Education and Mediation Fund (per §52-1-17) to the Family Court Fund instead. This ensures existing state funds are reallocated to support family court services without creating new programs.
SB 955 amends West Virginia's hotel occupancy tax law to expand the definition of "hotel" to include designated campground sites. County commissions may formally designate specific campgrounds as "hotels" for tax purposes, subject to the requirement that taxes collected from these sites must be specifically earmarked for public safety services within that county. This change affects campground operators in counties that make such designations and county taxing authorities collecting the tax. The bill does not alter existing tax rates or apply to all campgrounds - only those formally designated by county commissions. It focuses on clarifying which facilities qualify for the tax and directing revenue to public safety, rather than creating new taxes or changing general tax rules.
HB 5390 establishes that fiscal notes (financial impact statements) submitted to the West Virginia Legislature by state agencies, political subdivisions, or public officials are legally considered sworn testimony. The bill imposes criminal penalties for knowingly submitting false or misleading fiscal notes, treating such acts as perjury, while creating a safe harbor for those who voluntarily correct errors made in good faith before a bill's final vote. Key provisions require corrected notes to clearly identify changes and explain the reason for corrections, and mandate referral to prosecutors if credible evidence of intentional falsification exists. This directly affects state agencies and officials preparing fiscal notes, ensuring accountability for financial impact assessments used in legislative decision-making.
HB 5505 would increase the minimum liability insurance coverage requirements for motor vehicles in West Virginia. It raises current minimums from $25,000 for bodily injury/death of one person, $50,000 for two or more people, and $25,000 for property damage to higher levels (exact amounts not specified in provided context). These changes would apply to new insurance policies and renewals starting on the bill's effective date. Vehicle owners and drivers in West Virginia would need to carry the higher coverage amounts to meet state requirements.
SR 42 is a ceremonial Senate resolution honoring the late Walter Dolph Helmick, a former West Virginia state legislator and public servant. It memorializes his life and career, noting his service as a coal miner, teacher, businessman, Mason, West Virginia House of Delegates member, Senate member (1989-2013), and Commissioner of Agriculture. The resolution formally recognizes his contributions to West Virginia and extends condolences to his family following his death in 2025. As a non-binding memorial resolution, it has no policy impact or effect on legislation.
SB 957 reduces the minimum number of council members required for certain small West Virginia municipalities from five to three. It applies specifically to Class IV towns or villages with a population of 2,000 or fewer that are not divided into wards or election districts, and also affects "manager plan" and "manager-mayor plan" forms of government in these communities. The bill aims to provide local governments with more flexibility in structuring their councils based on population size. This change modifies existing provisions in the West Virginia Code regarding municipal charter requirements and council composition. The legislation is currently in the Senate Committee on Government Organization.
SB 958 closes the Enforcement of Guardianship and Conservatorship Act Fund on July 1, 2026, and transfers any remaining balance to the Court Security Fund. It redirects $35 of the $110 filing fee for guardianship or conservatorship petitions to the Court Security Fund (previously paid to the closed fund). The West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals will now administer these funds to cover costs for reviewing guardian/conservator reports and an education program. This bill affects how fees and unspent funds are managed in guardianship and conservatorship cases across West Virginia.
This Senate Resolution (SR 40) designates February 16, 2026, as "Child Advocacy Center Day" in West Virginia. It formally recognizes the work of the state's 21 Child Advocacy Centers, which support child abuse victims and families through coordinated services across 48 counties. The resolution has no policy impact - it is a symbolic observance inviting legislators and citizens to acknowledge these centers' role in child safety and healing.
This is a ceremonial Senate Resolution (SR 39) adopted on February 16, 2026, recognizing the West Virginia Area Health Education Centers (WV AHEC) for their 25-year work in health workforce development. It formally acknowledges their role in training students (serving over 1,400 annually in grades 9-12), providing clinical experiences for health trainees, and offering continuing education to nearly 1,000 healthcare providers in rural and underserved communities. The resolution has no policy or funding impact - it serves solely as a formal acknowledgment of the centers' contributions.
HB 5550 amends West Virginia law to clarify and strengthen the definition of proper shelter for tethered or roaming free dogs. It requires shelters to be four-sided, roofed, moisture-proof, windproof, and ventilated with suitable bedding (like hay or straw), while prohibiting inadequate options such as cardboard boxes, vehicles, or exposed porches. The bill also limits tethering outside to 30 minutes during extreme weather (85°F+ heat, 32°F or below cold, or severe storms) unless the dog is a working dog inspected as safe by animal control. These requirements directly affect dog owners and animal control officers, ensuring dogs have adequate protection from weather conditions.
HB 5581 (Dawson’s Law) adds infantile GM1 gangliosidosis - a rare genetic disorder affecting infants - to the list of conditions required for newborn screening in West Virginia. The bill mandates hospitals to test all newborns for this condition, alongside existing screenings for diseases like phenylketonuria and cystic fibrosis. These screenings will be covered as a standard benefit by Medicaid, state insurance programs, and private insurers offering pregnancy coverage. The law directly affects all newborns in West Virginia by expanding early detection for this specific condition.
HB 5566 establishes a centralized State Tax Lien Registry managed by West Virginia's Tax Division, replacing the current system of filing tax liens with individual county recorders. The registry requires the Tax Division to file notices of tax liens (for unpaid state taxes) containing debtor name/address, lien number, and amount owed, making this information publicly searchable online at no cost. This directly affects taxpayers with unpaid final tax liabilities (debtors) and anyone accessing the registry, such as creditors or property buyers. Key mechanisms include centralizing lien records statewide, automatically attaching liens to all debtor property (real and personal), and allowing bulk sale of registry data to cover operational costs, while prohibiting use for marketing. The registry becomes the official record, superseding county filings.
