HB 5645 would impose work requirements for Medicaid and SNAP (food stamp) eligibility in West Virginia. It limits SNAP benefits for able-bodied adults without dependents to three months in a 36-month period unless they work, participate in job training, or volunteer at least 20 hours weekly. The bill requires verification of citizenship status, prohibits non-citizens from receiving SNAP benefits, and mandates hospitals to report certain patient information to the Department of Human Services. It also includes provisions for counties to qualify for work requirement exemptions based on unemployment data, though all counties will lose such exemptions after October 2022. The bill affects low-income adults seeking Medicaid or SNAP benefits who do not have children.
HB 5037 would require all West Virginia residents who wish to vote in state or local elections or run for public office (including state, county, city, town, or village positions) to be natural-born U.S. citizens. The bill amends election code definitions to specify that "voter" and "candidate" must be natural-born citizens, excluding naturalized citizens from eligibility. These changes would take effect on January 1, 2028, applying to all general, primary, and special elections. The bill directly affects voters and candidates seeking public office in West Virginia.
HB 5354 authorizes the continued use of multiple existing legislative rules governing West Virginia's higher education programs, including scholarship initiatives like the Underwood-Smith Teacher Scholarship and PROMISE. It amends one rule (Medical Student Loan Program) to require U.S. citizenship or legal immigrant status for eligibility and repeals two outdated rules related to purchasing efficiencies and a research trust fund program. The bill does not create new programs but formalizes current administrative practices under the Higher Education Policy Commission and Community and Technical College Education. This procedural bill affects state education agencies and institutions managing these programs.
HB 5424 requires employers in West Virginia to verify the U.S. citizenship or legal work authorization of all employees through documentation, defining "unauthorized workers" as non-citizens ineligible for employment. The bill mandates that employers "knowingly" fail to request or review such documentation is considered non-compliant, with the labor commissioner authorized to investigate violations. It establishes "High Risk Industries" for targeted enforcement, preempts conflicting local ordinances, and provides civil protections for employers acting in good faith. The law applies broadly to all employers, including state agencies, and creates new legal mechanisms for compliance verification under the "Worker Citizenship Verification Act of 2026."
HB 4148 requires real estate salesperson license applicants in West Virginia to submit proof of U.S. citizenship or legal authorization to work in the United States. This directly affects individuals seeking to become real estate salespersons in the state. The bill amends §30-40-13 of the West Virginia Code to add this documentation requirement alongside existing education and exam standards. It does not change the education or exam requirements but adds a new verification step for applicants' immigration status. The law applies only to salesperson licenses, not other real estate professional licenses.
HB 4718, the Secure Roads and Safe Trucking Act, requires nonresident commercial truck drivers operating in West Virginia to present a valid work visa and proof of citizenship (such as a birth certificate or passport) while driving. It also mandates that drivers demonstrate sufficient English proficiency to communicate with the public, understand traffic signs, respond to officials, and complete required records. Commercial motor carriers face $3,000 fines per violation if their drivers fail to meet these requirements, while drivers operating without compliance risk a misdemeanor charge with fines up to $1,000 or 90 days in jail. The bill additionally allows the state to adopt the FMCSA's Even Exchange Program, waiving skills tests for military drivers with relevant experience and certain first responders.
HB 4551, the West Virginia Safe Trucking Act 2026, requires non-domiciled commercial drivers (those not residents of West Virginia) operating commercial vehicles in the state to present a valid work visa and proof of citizenship (such as a birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or passport) starting July 1, 2026. This applies specifically to drivers holding non-domiciled commercial driver licenses or learner permits, as defined by federal regulations. Violations carry fines up to $2,500 for drivers per offense and up to $3,000 per violation for commercial carriers employing non-compliant drivers. The bill amends existing licensing standards to add these requirements and penalties, focusing on verifying legal work authorization for commercial truck drivers.
HJR 18 proposes amending West Virginia's Constitution to explicitly prohibit non-U.S. citizens from voting in any state election. It would add language to Article IV, Section 1 stating, "no person who is not a citizen of the United States be entitled to vote at any election held within this state." This change directly affects non-citizen residents currently eligible to vote in West Virginia elections. The amendment requires voter approval in the 2026 general election and would be designated as "Amendment 1" or the "Citizens Voting Amendment." The bill is currently referred to the House Judiciary Committee.
