Environment

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 2, 2026

HB 5033: Pro-Growth Regulatory Reform Act of 2026

HB 5033, the Pro-Growth Regulatory Reform Act of 2026, requires state agencies to obtain legislative approval before implementing new regulations that cost more than $500,000 over five years. Agencies must submit such proposed rules to the Legislative Rule-making Review Committee 30 days before the next regular session, and the legislature must enact ratifying legislation for the rule to take effect. If the legislature fails to approve the rule during the session, the agency must terminate the proposed rulemaking. This bill directly affects state agencies creating regulations, adding a cost-based approval step while exempting emergency rules.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentRequires legislative approval for costly regulations, potentially delaying or blocking environmental protections under agency rulemaking.85% confidence ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentBill requires legislative approval for new regulations >$500k, potentially blocking labor protections like workplace safety rules without legislative action.85% confidence

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passed · West Virginia · Senate Feb 18, 2026

SR 32: Protecting WV coal jobs, coal power, and coal families

This Senate Resolution (SR 32) expresses the West Virginia Senate's commitment to protecting coal-dependent communities and energy infrastructure. It specifically requires coal-fired power plants to operate at a minimum 69% annual capacity factor to maintain grid reliability and protect over 10,000 coal jobs, while opposing actions that threaten mine closures or job losses. The resolution also pledges to prioritize local coal jobs over "out-of-state contracting" and prevent ratepayers from bearing higher costs due to reduced coal generation. As a non-binding resolution (adopted February 18, 2026), it does not create new law but formally commits the Senate to supporting coal through policy advocacy and oversight.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill mandates coal plant operation to protect 10k jobs, opposes mine closures, and prioritizes coal over renewables, actively favoring fossil fuels90% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill prioritizes coal plant operations (69% capacity) and opposes actions threatening mine closures/jobs, directly conflicting with environmental regulations targeting coal emissions and transition to cleaner energy.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill explicitly protects 10,000 coal jobs by requiring coal plant operations and opposing mine closures/job losses, directly advancing employment security in coal-dependent communities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Coal Electric Grid

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 11, 2026

HB 5025: Allowing the burning of obsolete farm structures.

HB 5025 allows farm owners to burn obsolete, uninsured farm structures on agricultural land without facing second-degree arson penalties. It directly affects farmers who own outdated buildings (like barns or sheds) that are uninsured and no longer in use. To qualify, owners must submit a notarized letter to the county assessor and fire department seven days before burning, confirming the structure is uninsured and meets Department of Environmental Protection permitting requirements. The bill modifies existing arson law to create this specific exemption for eligible farm structures.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentAllows unregulated burning of structures, increasing air pollution risks without strengthening environmental safeguards; DEP permitting is minimal requirement.85% confidence

Tags Agriculture Public Safety

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in committee · West Virginia · Senate Feb 3, 2026

SB 722: Requiring warrant for DNR officials or officers to enter onto any private property

SB 722 requires West Virginia's Division of Natural Resources (DNR) officers to obtain a warrant or the landowner's permission before entering private property, except in emergencies. This directly affects landowners, who can deny entry without a warrant, and DNR officers, who must follow this procedure during routine operations. The bill clarifies that DNR officers cannot enter private land without a warrant or consent, with an exception only for immediate threats to public safety, such as accidents or emergencies. This amendment updates existing law to explicitly protect property rights during DNR activities.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentRestricts DNR access to private property without warrant, potentially hindering enforcement of environmental regulations by natural resources agency.75% confidence

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in committee · West Virginia · Senate Feb 10, 2026

SB 706: Modifying severance tax on newly drilled oil and natural gas wells

SB 706 modifies West Virginia's severance tax for oil and natural gas producers by temporarily reducing the tax rate for newly drilled wells. It lowers the tax rate to 3% (from 5%) for 24 months starting from the first sale of natural gas or oil from wells drilled after June 30, 2026. This applies specifically to newly completed wells, while existing wells and other production types maintain their standard rates (2.5% or 5% depending on production volume and drilling method). The bill directly affects oil and gas producers who drill new wells after the effective date, offering a short-term tax incentive to encourage new development. The change is part of the state's severance tax structure under §11-13A-3a of the West Virginia Code.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesTemporarily reduces severance tax revenue for oil producers, decreasing state budget income from a key tax source.90% confidence ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyReduces severance tax for new oil/gas wells, lowering costs for fossil fuel producers and favoring fossil fuels over renewables.95% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentReduces severance tax for new oil/gas wells, incentivizing increased extraction without environmental safeguards, prioritizing industry over environmental protection.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Tax Incentives Oil & Gas

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 4, 2026

HB 5190: Increase conservation funding by $300,000, with the increase only to be allocated based on the head count of cattle and/or large livestock

HB 5190 increases West Virginia's annual conservation funding by $300,000, with the additional funds allocated exclusively based on the head count of cattle and/or large livestock. This change directly affects land conservation grant programs, requiring that new funding distribution be tied to livestock numbers rather than other conservation criteria. The bill amends existing law to mandate this livestock-based allocation starting July 1, 2026. It does not alter the existing conservation criteria (like wildlife habitat or watershed protection) but specifies how the new $300,000 will be distributed. The change applies only to the incremental funding, not the existing conservation budget.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill increases conservation funding by $300,000, directly allocating additional state budget resources to a public service program (land conservation grants).90% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill redirects conservation funding exclusively to livestock-based allocation, prioritizing agriculture over broader environmental protection criteria, weakening general conservation efforts.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Water Quality Wildlife Tags Agriculture

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 2, 2026

HB 5038: Establishing the Affordable Electricity and Economic Growth Act of 2026 to facilitate coke production and steel-making in the state

HB 5038, the Affordable Electricity and Economic Growth Act of 2026, directs West Virginia's Department of Economic Development to identify suitable sites for coal-fired electricity generation and coke production facilities near coal deposits, transmission infrastructure, and steel manufacturing locations. It requires state agencies to streamline regulations and review existing rules to reduce delays for projects using locally mined coal. The bill aims to support economic development by making it easier to build facilities that produce electricity and coke (used in steelmaking) within the state. This directly affects coal producers, steel manufacturers, and state regulatory agencies responsible for permitting and oversight.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill explicitly promotes coal-fired electricity and coke production facilities, favoring fossil fuels over renewable energy development and opposing clean energy transition efforts.95% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill prioritizes coal-based energy and industrial growth by streamlining regulations for coal-fired facilities, weakening environmental safeguards and increasing reliance on polluting fossil fuels.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Coal Transmission

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 2, 2026

HB 5039: Fueling Modern Life

HB 5039, titled "Fueling Modern Life," repeals all existing West Virginia air pollution control statutes (§22-5-1 through §22-5-20) and replaces them with a new policy declaring carbon dioxide (CO₂) a "foundational nutrient" necessary for life, not a pollutant. The bill mandates that West Virginia will not treat CO₂ as a pollutant, reject "net-zero" emission targets, and actively support carbon-based fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas. This directly affects all entities regulated under air pollution laws, including power plants and industrial facilities, by eliminating CO₂ emission requirements. The legislation shifts state policy to prioritize fossil fuel use for economic development while asserting CO₂ levels are beneficial and historically low.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyRepeals pollution laws, declares CO₂ non-pollutant, rejects net-zero, mandates support for carbon-based fuels like coal and gas, directly opposing clean energy standards.95% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentRepeals air pollution statutes, declares CO2 a nutrient (not pollutant), rejects net-zero targets, and supports carbon-based fuels, weakening environmental protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Coal Oil & Gas Air Quality

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introduced · West Virginia · Senate Jan 14, 2026

SB 79: Establishing road or highway infrastructure improvement projects or coal production and processing facilities tax credit

SB 79 creates a tax credit for West Virginia businesses that invest in road or highway infrastructure projects or coal production and processing facilities. Eligible taxpayers - such as corporations and consolidated groups subject to the state's severance tax - can claim the credit based on qualified expenditures like labor, materials, equipment, and real property costs for these projects. Businesses must apply for certification before claiming the credit for road projects, and unused credits can be carried forward to future tax years. The credit is transferable to business successors, and failure to maintain required records may trigger penalties.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates tax credit reducing liability for eligible businesses, directly providing tax relief per support indicators.95% confidence ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill provides tax credit for coal production (fossil fuel), explicitly favoring fossil fuels over renewables. No support for renewable energy infrastructure or clean energy policies.95% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentTax credit for coal production/processing facilities prioritizes fossil fuel industry over environmental protection, increasing pollution risk.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill creates tax credits for businesses investing in road/highway infrastructure projects, directly funding transportation improvements through financial incentives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Tax Credits Tax Incentives Coal Roads & Highways Transportation Funding

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

HB 4675: Relating to “Rain Tax”

HB 4675, titled "Relating to 'Rain Tax'," would prohibit West Virginia municipalities from charging property owners a fee based on stormwater, runoff, rain, or similar precipitation-related factors. This bill amends state law to remove local governments' authority to impose such fees, directly affecting residential and commercial property owners who might have been charged for these services. The key mechanism is a clear prohibition on assessing any fee tied to precipitation management, replacing existing provisions that allowed stormwater fees under municipal ordinances. This change would require municipalities to find alternative funding methods for stormwater programs but does not specify new funding mechanisms.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesProhibits municipalities from imposing precipitation-based fees, restricting local tax authority on stormwater charges per bill's explicit language.95% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill prohibits stormwater fees that fund pollution control infrastructure, removing a key funding mechanism for managing runoff pollution and water quality conservation efforts.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Water Quality

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