This resolution (SR 35) is a ceremonial measure that commends February 14, 2026, as National Organ Donor Day in West Virginia. It honors Timmy "Bub" Fields, a West Virginia teen whose organ donation saved lives after his death, and highlights the state's organ donation achievements, including 779 donors in 2025. The resolution does not create new laws or alter policies; it solely serves to recognize the importance of organ donation and encourage registration through existing channels like donatelifewv.org. It was adopted by the West Virginia Senate on February 13, 2026.
HB 5498 clarifies that members of county child abuse investigative teams cannot be personally liable for actions taken during investigations of child sexual assault, abuse, or neglect - such as prosecutors, law enforcement, child protective services workers, health care providers, and mental health professionals. The bill specifically protects team members from liability for routine work in these investigations, but does not shield them from claims arising from gross negligence, willful misconduct, or intentional harm. This amendment to West Virginia law directly affects the 8 permanent team member roles listed in the bill and ensures they can participate without personal legal risk for standard investigative actions. The change aims to strengthen team collaboration by removing personal liability concerns during sensitive child abuse cases.
This House Resolution (HR 6) expresses the West Virginia House of Delegates' support for developing natural gas pipeline infrastructure, specifically an intra-Panhandle pipeline connecting western gas fields to the Eastern Panhandle. It aims to improve access to locally produced natural gas for residents, support industrial and commercial growth, and create jobs across the state. The resolution highlights West Virginia's status as a top natural gas producer and notes that existing pipelines transport most output out of state, while Maryland's opposition to pipeline extensions is cited as a barrier. It does not create new laws or funding but urges responsible infrastructure expansion to boost economic development. As a procedural resolution, it has no direct legal effect but signals legislative backing for pipeline projects.
HB 5523 requires hospitals, clinics, and emergency departments in West Virginia to provide a physician or certified nurse midwife examination before discharging any woman in the later stages of pregnancy. It mandates that facilities provide written and verbal discharge instructions covering key topics like labor signs, warning symptoms, activity guidance, follow-up care, and emergency contacts, all in accessible language. The instructions must be reviewed with the patient or their representative, and the facility must document that they were provided. This bill directly affects pregnant patients in late-stage pregnancy and healthcare facilities across the state, aiming to improve safety through standardized discharge protocols.
HB 5507 establishes rules for selecting and overseeing West Virginia's delegates to a potential national Article V convention, which would propose amendments to the U.S. Constitution. It requires delegates to meet specific qualifications (e.g., 5-year U.S. residency, no federal lobbying in the past 5 years) and mandates that seven delegates be named by a joint vote of the state legislature. The bill includes provisions for removing delegates who violate legislative instructions or propose "runaway amendments" (amendments outside the convention's scope), with penalties including felony charges and a $250,000 fine. It also creates an Advisory Committee to manage vacancies and oversee delegate conduct during the convention.
HB 5516 requires the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals to process all appeals in abuse and neglect cases within six months of filing. This directly affects individuals, families, and child welfare agencies involved in these legal cases, as well as the court system handling the appeals. The bill amends existing law to establish a strict 6-month deadline for processing, replacing the previous timeline without specifying exceptions. This policy change focuses solely on accelerating the court's review process for these specific cases.
HB 5488 creates a new criminal offense in West Virginia for recklessly harming or interfering with service animals. It directly affects service animal handlers (including people with disabilities who rely on service animals) and anyone who harms these animals while they are assisting a person with a disability or when the offender knows the animal is a service animal. The bill prohibits actions like taunting, throwing objects, or obstructing a service animal’s work, with penalties including up to one year in jail, a $500 fine, or both. It also requires offenders to pay full restitution for damages, such as the animal’s value, replacement costs, veterinary bills, and lost wages for the handler. The bill is currently pending before the House Judiciary Committee after being introduced on February 13, 2026.
HB 5514 would prohibit West Virginia from enforcing the federal REAL ID Act, which requires state-issued driver’s licenses and ID cards to meet national security standards for federal purposes like air travel. The bill directs the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles to stop requiring REAL ID-compliant licenses and to report any federal efforts to implement the law. It clarifies that West Virginia residents may still choose to obtain a REAL ID-compliant license if they wish, but it would no longer be mandatory for state-issued IDs. The bill aims to avoid costs and inconvenience for residents while opposing what it calls a violation of state rights under the Tenth Amendment. This applies directly to all West Virginia drivers and ID card holders who currently need REAL ID for federal access.
HB 5495 requires West Virginia public schools to use only software that is "academically effective" and complies with a statewide digital privacy agreement. The bill mandates that all school software must be verified by independent third parties for educational value, aligns with curriculum standards, avoids "addictive design features" (like excessive gamification tied to time spent), and prohibits data collection for non-educational purposes. It directly affects schools (via County Boards of Education), software vendors (who must sign the privacy agreement), and parents (who will receive annual notices about software used). Key mechanisms include creating a master list of approved software, requiring periodic audits for compliance, and establishing a process for parental complaints about software. The bill aims to ensure school technology supports learning while protecting student privacy and data.
HB 5513 prohibits cloud seeding and other atmospheric geoengineering activities in West Virginia by defining "cloud seeding" as the deliberate introduction of substances into clouds to induce precipitation. The bill directly affects any entity - such as government agencies, private companies, or researchers - conducting weather modification within the state. Key provisions ban "atmospheric polluting activities," including cloud seeding, and authorize the Department of Environmental Protection to enforce the prohibition with penalties for violations. The law explicitly lists cloud seeding as a prohibited practice under its broader definition of geoengineering, which includes weather modification and stratospheric aerosol injection. Enforcement mechanisms are outlined through the Department of Environmental Protection's authority to address violations.
HB 5522 creates an annual sales tax holiday in West Virginia for feminine hygiene products and diapers. The bill exempts these items from sales tax on the second Saturday of May plus the Friday and Sunday directly surrounding that date each year. It defines "feminine hygiene products" broadly to include tampons, pads, menstrual cups, and similar items, whether disposable or reusable. The tax holiday directly affects consumers purchasing these products during the designated dates, reducing their out-of-pocket costs. The bill establishes this exemption by amending the state's sales tax code to exclude these items from taxation during the specified period.
HB 5517 requires West Virginia's Office of Insurance Commissioner to create and maintain centralized, geographically specific lists of licensed bail bondsmen for each county and detention facility. The bill mandates that these lists - showing only bondsmen operating within 50 miles of the facility - be posted prominently in jails and police stations, with detainees given immediate access to select a bondsman from the list. It also establishes a statewide master list containing all licensed bondsmen's details, which facilities must provide upon request. The legislation grants the Insurance Commissioner exclusive authority to manage these lists, replacing local efforts, and ensures detainees can contact any licensed bondsman statewide.
