SB 933 requires West Virginia's Commissioner of Highways to create a digital map showing unimproved public roads (unpaved, dirt, or gravel roads) and their specific features. The map must indicate road status, permitted vehicle types (including ATVs and motorcycles), and recreational value. County commissions and the West Virginia Department of Tourism can request mapping of roads with scenic, historic, or recreational value by providing details on use, surface, value, and location. The digital map will be publicly available online in a downloadable format to help tourists and recreation users plan trips. This bill expands existing mapping efforts using current resources to support outdoor tourism without new funding.
SB 934 modifies retirement benefits for West Virginia Natural Resources Police officers who retire after July 1, 2026. It increases the accrued benefit calculation from 2.5% to 2.75% of an officer's final average salary multiplied by their years of credited service. This change applies only to officers retiring after the specified date and does not affect those retiring before July 1, 2026. The bill also includes provisions for additional funding to support the retirement system.
HB 5345 would change how West Virginia pays child care subsidies by requiring payments to be based on a child’s monthly enrollment (how many children are registered for the month) instead of daily attendance (paying for each day a child attends). This directly affects licensed child care centers and family day-care homes that receive state subsidies, providing more stable monthly funding regardless of daily attendance fluctuations. The bill amends state code to replace the current daily-attendance payment system with a monthly enrollment model for these providers. It does not apply to exempt programs like public schools, short-term care, or certain summer camps. The change aims to simplify billing and ensure consistent funding for child care providers.
HB 5234 requires voters returning absentee ballots by mail in West Virginia to include specific identifying information (like full name and address) on a form placed inside their ballot envelope. This information allows election officials to securely verify a voter's identity without needing to publish personal details or signatures. The bill directly affects all voters who submit absentee ballots via mail, amending existing absentee voting procedures under West Virginia Code §3-3-5. The key provision streamlines identity confirmation while maintaining voter privacy, replacing previous methods that required additional documentation.
HB 5477 requires state-supported law enforcement agencies - including county sheriffs, municipal police, and regional jails receiving state funds - to join the federal 287(g) program for immigration enforcement. Larger detention facilities must use the "Jail Enforcement Model" under this program, with a fallback to the "Warrant Service Officer Model" only if federal authorities deny the primary option. The bill mandates reporting, audits, and allows withholding of state public safety funds from noncompliant agencies. It standardizes cooperation with federal immigration enforcement in detention settings across West Virginia.
HB 5460, the Construction Cost Relief Act, provides a sales tax rebate for construction materials used in new single-family homes built for residential ownership in West Virginia. The rebate covers up to 30% of the home's sale price (or construction loan amount if the builder occupies the home), calculated using a county-specific housing index relative to the state average. Homeowners and builders must claim the refund within one year of construction completion using state forms, and the refund cannot be transferred to another party. This law applies only to new construction starting on or after July 1, 2026.
HB 5470 requires pharmacy benefits managers to include all cost-sharing amounts paid by patients or others when calculating their out-of-pocket costs for prescriptions. It applies annual cost-sharing limits to all health plans sold in West Virginia and prohibits insurers or pharmacy managers from changing coverage terms based on the availability of drug assistance programs. The bill directly affects insured patients and health plans by preventing hidden cost-shifting and ensuring transparency in how deductibles and copays are calculated. Violations carry civil penalties up to $10,000 per incident, and the provisions take effect for plans issued on or after January 1, 2027.
HB 4405 requires West Virginia public defender corporations in any judicial circuit to split into two separate, independent offices when they employ six or more assistant public defenders (including the chief public defender). This change directly affects public defender offices that reach this staffing threshold, mandating a structural split while keeping the same governing board for both new entities. The bill expands the executive director's authority to create, merge, or dissolve public defender corporations to improve legal representation quality, address conflicts, and manage state funds more effectively. It also requires the executive director to consult with circuit judges before making such changes and submit reports to the Legislature. The key mechanism is the automatic split trigger at six attorneys, aiming to enhance resource allocation without adding new staff.
HB 4413 bans syringe exchange programs in West Virginia by making them unlawful under new law, requiring all existing programs to cease operations by the effective date. It allows harm reduction services (like overdose prevention education, naloxone distribution, and referrals to treatment) to continue without needle exchanges during a 120-day transition period for patient care. Operators who continue syringe exchanges after the effective date face daily civil penalties of up to $2,500, and the state health office can seek court orders to enforce the ban. The bill specifically prohibits offering sterile needles without a prescription, while permitting other health services that don’t involve syringe exchanges.
HB 4466 expands West Virginia's public intoxication law to include impairment from narcotics. It amends §60-6-9 to define "intoxicated" as covering impairment from controlled substances (narcotics), not just alcohol, when appearing in public. This makes it a misdemeanor for individuals to be publicly impaired by narcotics, punishable by fines ($5-$100) or mandatory education programs for first offenses. The law directly affects people appearing in public while impaired by narcotics, with penalties increasing for repeat violations. The change clarifies enforcement standards for law enforcement and judicial officers.
HB 4615 establishes a 12-member Public Water System Supply Study Commission to review and report on water system infrastructure, source protection plans, contamination response, and funding options for public water systems. The commission, appointed with members from the Governor, water associations, health departments, and environmental groups, must submit annual reports to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance starting December 2014. The bill defines "aboveground water storage tanks" (over 1,320 gallons, primarily non-earthen, >90% above ground) but does not directly change tank regulations or require new infrastructure. It focuses on studying existing challenges rather than implementing immediate policy changes for water systems.
HB 4695 doubles criminal penalties for specific offenses against minors in West Virginia. It increases maximum prison terms and fines for sexual assault in the third degree (from 5 to 10 years/ $10,000 to $20,000), sexual abuse in the third degree (from 3 to 5 years/ $500 to $1,000), child neglect resulting in death (from 15 to 40 years/ $5,000 to $10,000), and sexual abuse by parents/guardians (from 20 to 40 years/ $5,000 to $10,000). The bill directly affects individuals convicted of these crimes against minors under 16 years old or in positions of trust over children. These changes amend sections §61-8B-5, §61-8B-9, §61-8D-4a, and §61-8D-5 of West Virginia law.
