SB 680 would repeal West Virginia's personal income tax and corporate net income tax. It directly affects all West Virginia residents (who pay personal income tax) and corporations operating in the state (which pay corporate net income tax). The bill eliminates these taxes for income earned after January 1, 2028, while requiring collection of existing tax liabilities for years ending before December 31, 2027. The repeal takes effect July 1, 2026, with the State Tax Commissioner managing final filings and refunds for prior tax years.
HB 4274 authorizes West Virginia's Board of Architects to implement a specific fee structure for architect registration. The bill formally approves a previously modified rule (2 CSR 03) that the Board had developed, which outlines registration fees for architects seeking to practice in the state. This rule, adjusted to address legislative committee feedback, directly affects licensed architects and those applying for registration by setting their required fees. The bill does not establish new fees but authorizes the Board to enforce the existing fee schedule through official rulemaking.
HB 4287 authorizes the West Virginia Board of Examiners in Counseling to establish specific rules for licensed professional counselor license renewal and continuing education requirements. This bill directly affects licensed professional counselors in West Virginia by defining the standards they must meet to maintain their active licenses. The rule, referenced as 27 CSR 03, will govern how counselors fulfill renewal criteria and complete required continuing education hours. The bill does not change the requirements themselves but enables the board to formally implement and enforce them.
HB 5001 prohibits employers from terminating an employee who uses reasonable and proportionate force (including deadly force in specific circumstances) to defend themselves or others from an attack at their workplace. The bill amends West Virginia law to explicitly protect employees from adverse employment actions - such as termination - solely for using force that reasonably prevents imminent death or serious bodily harm. It specifies that deadly force may be used without a duty to retreat only if an employee reasonably believes it is necessary to save themselves or others from imminent lethal harm. The protection does not apply if the employee was committing a felony, provoked the attack, or was otherwise engaging in unlawful activity. This bill directly affects all employees in West Virginia workplaces who must defend against violent attacks.
HB 4310 authorizes West Virginia's Board of Pharmacy to create specific rules governing "pharmacist recovery networks." This bill directly affects pharmacists and pharmacy practices by enabling the Board to establish formal guidelines for these networks, which support pharmacists facing personal challenges. The key mechanism is the formal approval of a proposed rule (15 CSR 10) that was previously modified and refiled after review. This is a procedural bill that authorizes rulemaking without specifying the networks' operational details.
SB 673 imposes a 3-cent tax per milligram of nicotine on all e-cigarette products sold in West Virginia, replacing a previous tax based on product type. This tax applies to both disposable (closed-system) and refillable (open-system) devices, with fallback rates (40mg per unit for disposables, 6mg/mL for refillables) if labeling is unclear. All revenue generated will be directed to the Public Employees Insurance Agency (PEIA) to reduce or stabilize state employees' health insurance premiums, without replacing existing employer contributions. The bill directly affects e-cigarette distributors and manufacturers in the state, effective July 1, 2026.
SB 681 would allow localities (like towns, cities, or counties) contiguous to West Virginia's borders to join the state. To qualify, these areas must hold a binding referendum requiring majority voter approval, pay a $1 per capita tax to West Virginia based on the latest U.S. Census, and gain legislative approval through a simple majority vote in the state legislature. The bill also requires voter approval in the next general election for final admission, sets procedures for tax collection starting July 1, and provides transition periods for licensing and government compliance. This bill directly affects contiguous localities seeking state admission and outlines the formal process for their integration into West Virginia's governmental and fiscal systems.
HB 4313 authorizes the West Virginia Board of Pharmacy to establish a specific regulatory rule (15 CSR 16) concerning pharmacists. This rule was previously modified to address objections from the Legislative Rule-Making Review Committee and refilled in the State Register. The bill formally approves the rule, allowing it to take effect as part of state regulations governing pharmacy practice. The rule directly affects pharmacists by setting the standards they must follow under state law.
HB 4315 authorizes the West Virginia Board of Physical Therapy to implement a specific regulatory rule (16 CSR 01) covering general provisions for physical therapists and physical therapist assistants. The bill formally approves a rule that was previously modified by the Board to address legislative committee concerns and refiled in the State Register. This rule directly affects licensed physical therapists and assistants by establishing their regulatory requirements under state law. The bill does not create new policy but enables the Board to enforce an existing, approved regulatory framework.
HB 4309 authorizes the West Virginia Board of Pharmacy to implement an existing rule (15 CSR 07) governing the registration of pharmacy technicians. This bill directly affects pharmacy technicians who must register to work in the state, as it approves the Board's proposed regulatory framework. The key mechanism is the Board's authority to enforce specific registration requirements, including qualifications and renewal processes, under the existing rule. The bill does not create new standards but formally authorizes the Board's previously proposed rule for implementation.
SB 682 authorizes West Virginia's Director of Natural Resources to create rules requiring motorboat operators with engines larger than 9.9 horsepower to run in idle mode on lakes designated for smaller boats. This directly affects boat operators using lakes where smaller engines (9.9 hp or less) are typically permitted. The bill enables the Director to establish these operational rules and impose fines for violations, without specifying exact lake locations or penalty amounts. It modifies existing law to give the Director authority to regulate motorboat operations on specific waterways, aligning with federal navigation standards. The policy change focuses on reducing noise and disturbance in designated quiet-lake areas.
HB 4321 authorizes West Virginia's Senior Services agency to create a formal rule (under 76 CSR 06) for a "shared table initiative" designed to support senior citizens. The bill specifically approves a rule already filed with the State Register on July 21, 2025, which would establish guidelines for this initiative. It does not create new program details but legally permits Senior Services to implement the rule. This procedural bill affects the agency and seniors participating in the initiative by enabling its formal adoption.
