HB 5350 exempts from West Virginia sales and use tax materials and specific appliances used in manufacturing certain manufactured homes. It applies only to homes designed for permanent attachment to a foundation within the state, built in climate-controlled facilities, and including required appliances (refrigerator, stove, dishwasher, washer, dryer). Manufacturers must certify compliance, and false claims face penalties including double the avoided tax plus interest. This directly affects home manufacturers producing qualifying permanent-structure homes, excluding mobile or non-compliant units.
HB 5425 amends West Virginia law to clarify how urban renewal authorities and land reuse agencies can acquire property. It specifically allows these agencies to purchase tax-delinquent properties meeting certain criteria (such as being valued under $100,000, vacant for 24+ months, or having municipal liens exceeding back taxes) with priority over other buyers. The bill requires municipalities to provide lists of qualifying properties to agencies and grants them the right to buy these properties by paying outstanding taxes. This directly affects urban renewal authorities, municipalities, and property owners with tax-delinquent properties in redevelopment zones.
HB 5526 clarifies rules for purchasing tax-abandoned land at public auctions held by West Virginia's State Auditor. It requires all bidders - individuals and businesses - to register in advance or submit a notarized affidavit confirming eligibility, with disqualifications for those with unpaid taxes, code violations, or prior auction defaults. The bill specifically allows 501(c)(3) nonprofit housing organizations to win auctions if their bid is no more than 5% below the highest non-profit bid, excluding for-profit entities or religious groups. It also mandates that businesses (foreign or domestic) must provide proof of valid registration to participate in these land sales.
HB 5509, the Mountain Homes Act, establishes a state-funded program to support housing construction for workers in West Virginia as the state's economy diversifies beyond energy. The bill creates the Mountain Homes Fund, which will provide financial assistance for new housing projects targeting the workforce needed to support businesses and economic development. Applicants must meet specific eligibility criteria and submit detailed applications, with the Department of Economic Development administering the fund and reporting to the legislature on its use. The program aims to remove funding barriers for housing construction, directly benefiting workers and businesses by improving housing availability in growing economic sectors.
SB 1047 creates a non-criminal system to address homelessness, addiction, and mental health challenges by requiring law enforcement to issue verbal warnings, then written warnings, and finally refer individuals to community behavioral health centers after three encounters - replacing arrests or citations. The bill sets standards for recovery housing to be substance-free, trauma-informed, and long-term, with specific provisions for family recovery housing supporting pregnant women and mothers with children. It prohibits criminalizing homelessness or addiction, integrates community behavioral health centers with recovery housing services, and mandates an annual report from a state advisory team, all using existing state resources without new funding. The law takes effect on July 1, 2026.
SB 725 creates a tax-advantaged savings account program for first-time homebuyers in West Virginia. It allows eligible residents (those who haven't owned a home in 3 years) to contribute to a savings account, with contributions reducing their taxable income for state tax purposes. Funds can only be used for down payments and closing costs toward purchasing a qualifying single-family residence (including condos or manufactured homes) in West Virginia. Account holders are limited to one account, and early withdrawals for non-eligible purposes incur penalties. The program applies to West Virginia residents filing state income tax returns.
HB 5603 requires out-of-state landowners (those with primary residence or business outside West Virginia) to register their West Virginia properties with local authorities within 60 days of purchase, providing a physical address, in-state agent, and contact details. If a property is deemed dilapidated (unsafe, code-violating, or vacant over 12 months), local authorities must issue a 30-day notice for repairs, with failure to fix resulting in escalating fines: $15,000 for the first 30 days, doubling every subsequent 30 days. Each month of noncompliance is treated as a separate violation, with penalties accruing automatically. The bill targets out-of-state owners of neglected properties, aiming to address public safety hazards and reduce local government burdens from unremedied properties.
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.
This bill creates the West Virginia Housing Stability Fund to provide housing vouchers and utility bill assistance to families and children facing housing instability. Administered by the Department of Human Services, the fund will receive state appropriations, grants, donations, and investment income to disburse grants to child welfare agencies, housing authorities, and qualifying nonprofits. These organizations will use the funds to directly provide housing assistance vouchers and utility bill help to eligible residents, targeting those at risk of homelessness or unsafe living conditions. The legislation aims to reduce evictions, child welfare referrals, and foster care placements by addressing housing costs and utility affordability.
HB 4924 prohibits municipalities participating in West Virginia's Municipal Home Rule Program from creating local anti-discrimination ordinances that include protected classes beyond those listed in state law. This means cities and towns in the program cannot add categories like sexual orientation or gender identity to their local non-discrimination protections if state law doesn't already cover them. The bill amends §8-1-5a of West Virginia Code to enforce this restriction, directly affecting participating municipalities' ability to expand local civil rights protections. It does not change existing state protections but limits local governments from adding new ones.
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