Environment

passed · West Virginia · Senate Jan 20, 2026

SR 7: Proposing approval for Ohio River Restoration Program Act

This is a Senate Resolution (SR 7), not a bill with policy changes. It expresses the West Virginia Senate's support for H.R. 5966, a federal bill titled the "Ohio River Restoration Program Act." The resolution states that West Virginia (which has 277 miles of the Ohio River shoreline) will benefit from the proposed federal program. The resolution does not create any new laws or programs itself; it merely formally proposes approval of the federal H.R. 5966 bill, which aims to improve water quality, restore habitats, and enhance recreation along the Ohio River Basin. The resolution was adopted unanimously by the West Virginia Senate on January 20, 2026.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentSupports federal Ohio River restoration program aimed at improving water quality, a key environmental protection measure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Water Quality

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in committee · West Virginia · Senate Jan 29, 2026

SB 262: DEP rule relating to cross-state air pollution to control annual nitrogen oxides emissions, annual sulfur dioxide emissions, and ozone season nitrogen oxides emissions

SB 262 authorizes West Virginia's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to enforce an existing regulatory rule (45 CSR 43) controlling specific air pollutants. The rule targets annual nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions, annual sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions, and nitrogen oxides emissions during the ozone season. This legislation directly affects facilities that emit these pollutants, such as power plants and industrial sources, by enabling the DEP to implement and enforce the established emission limits under this rule. The bill does not create new emission standards but formally authorizes the DEP to use the pre-existing rule.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEnforces existing air pollution rules (NOx, SO2) to control emissions from industrial sources, strengthening regulatory compliance for environmental protection.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 14, 2026

HB 4328: Relating to authorizing the Division of Natural Resources to promulgate a legislative rule relating to wildlife rehabilitation.

This bill authorizes West Virginia's Division of Natural Resources to implement a specific regulatory rule (58 CSR 21) governing wildlife rehabilitation facilities. The rule, developed after modifications to address legislative committee concerns, sets standards for facilities caring for injured or orphaned wildlife. It directly affects wildlife rehabilitation centers by requiring compliance with these established regulations. The bill does not change the rule's content but formally authorizes its implementation.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAuthorizes wildlife rehabilitation standards (58 CSR 21), reinforcing conservation regulations for injured/orphaned wildlife facilities under natural resources management.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Wildlife

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in committee · West Virginia · Senate Jan 16, 2026

SB 469: Requiring dredging of flood prone waterways

This bill requires West Virginia's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to identify waterways prone to flooding due to silt, sediment, or blockages near homes and businesses. The DEP must then coordinate with the Department of Highways to dredge and clear these waterways, including removing silt and other obstructions. The law specifically targets both navigable and non-navigable waterways that threaten residential, commercial, or infrastructure areas. It mandates that dredged material be hauled to appropriate sites and requires coordination to protect wildlife and prevent pollution during the process. This policy directly affects communities in flood-prone areas by mandating proactive waterway maintenance.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates DEP to remove silt/sediment pollution from waterways, directly addressing pollution control and environmental protection under DEP's jurisdiction.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill requires dredging to protect infrastructure from flood damage, explicitly coordinating with Department of Highways to clear waterways threatening transportation infrastructure.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Water Quality Wildlife

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 12, 2026

HB 4615: Relating to public drinking water storage tanks

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.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill creates commission to review water source protection, contamination response, and infrastructure funding, directly advancing environmental protection through oversight of public water systems.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Water Quality

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 14, 2026

HB 4046: Relating to Rural Recycling Co-ops

HB 4046 creates a new exception in West Virginia law to protect established rural recycling cooperatives from being displaced by certified commercial waste carriers. It allows these cooperatives to continue operating in the same area if they have served members continuously for at least 12 consecutive months before a waste carrier receives a certificate of need for identical services. The bill specifically applies to cooperatives collecting recyclable materials generated by their members, excluding items already handled by certified waste carriers in the area. This directly affects rural communities by preserving locally-run recycling programs that serve members through community-based collection systems.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProtects rural recycling co-ops from displacement, maintaining existing recycling infrastructure that supports waste reduction and resource conservation, aligning with environmental protection goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Recycling

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 26, 2026

HB 4832: Relating to the use of state water resources

HB 4832 creates a program to support data center development in West Virginia by requiring "high impact" data centers (those meeting specific water and energy use thresholds) to report their water needs and obtain environmental certification that their operations won't harm state water resources. The environmental agency can limit or stop water withdrawals if adverse impacts are likely, and must hold public hearings for these facilities. The bill mandates transparency through standardized reporting while exempting certain business information from public disclosure requests. This aims to balance economic growth from data centers with protection of local water resources.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates environmental certification for data centers to prevent harm to water resources, empowers agency to limit withdrawals for adverse impacts, and requires public hearings - strengthening water resource protection.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly creates program to support data center development through water resource regulations, enabling tech infrastructure growth without restricting technology use.92% confidence

Tags Economic Development

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 21, 2026

HB 4714: To create the West Virginia Inmate Litter Cleanup and Rehabilitation Act.

HB 4714 creates a program allowing county jails and Regional Jail Authorities to involve inmates in voluntary litter cleanup on public lands like highways, roads, and parks. Inmates participating earn sentence reduction credits, with strict safety requirements including proper equipment, supervision ratios, and compliance with occupational regulations. The program is funded through the Litter Control Fund, and proceeds from recyclable materials collected during cleanups must be returned to that fund. The bill also mandates educational materials for schools about litter reduction and requires local governments to develop recycling plans for public facilities.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill promotes rehabilitation via inmate litter cleanup program with sentence credits, reducing recidivism through voluntary work and safety-compliant correctional engagement.92% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes inmate litter cleanup program on public lands, reducing pollution and funding Litter Control Fund via recyclables, directly advancing environmental protection.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Public Lands Recycling

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 14, 2026

HB 4206: Relating to authorizing the Department of Environmental Protection to promulgate a legislative rule relating to ambient air quality standards.

HB 4206 authorizes West Virginia's Department of Environmental Protection to implement a specific legislative rule (45 CSR 08) concerning ambient air quality standards, which was filed on July 23, 2025. This procedural bill does not change air quality standards but grants the department legal authority to enforce the existing rule. It directly affects the department's regulatory process for managing air quality compliance. The bill serves as a formal authorization for the rule already proposed, with no substantive policy changes to air quality requirements.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAuthorizes enforcement of existing air quality standards without weakening them, enabling regulatory compliance for current environmental protections.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 14, 2026

HB 4210: Relating to authorizing the Department of Environmental Protection to promulgate a legislative rule relating to emission standards for hazardous air pollutants

This bill authorizes West Virginia's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to establish specific emission standards for hazardous air pollutants. It directly affects industrial facilities that release these pollutants into the air, such as manufacturing plants and chemical producers. The authorization applies to a proposed rule (45 CSR 34) the DEP already filed in July 2025, allowing the department to finalize it through standard regulatory procedures. The bill does not set the actual standards but enables the DEP to proceed with rulemaking under existing law.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAuthorizes DEP to establish emission standards for hazardous air pollutants, strengthening regulatory control over industrial pollution sources.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality

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