Labor & Employment

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

HB 4170: To prohibit the charging of any fees to cash any government issued check.

HB 4170 prohibits merchants from charging fees to cash checks issued by state or federal government entities, such as unemployment benefits or tax refunds. This directly affects individuals who receive government-issued checks and need to cash them at retail stores or check-cashing services. The bill amends existing law to explicitly state that merchants cannot charge fees for this specific service, while maintaining standard fee limits for other check-cashing transactions. It does not change rules for cashing personal or business checks. The law aims to reduce costs for residents relying on government payments.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProhibits fees on cashing unemployment benefit checks, directly protecting workers' access to full benefit amounts without financial penalties.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Unemployment

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

HB 4809: Caregiver Tax Credit

HB 4809 creates a nonrefundable tax credit for family caregivers in West Virginia, allowing them to claim 50% of eligible out-of-pocket expenses related to caring for an eligible family member, up to a $2,000 annual maximum. It directly affects unpaid caregivers (such as adult children or spouses) providing care to relatives aged 18+ who need assistance with daily activities like bathing, dressing, or mobility. Eligible expenses include home modifications, medical equipment, hiring care aides, respite care, and transportation - not general home repairs or reimbursed costs. The credit applies to taxable years beginning after January 1, 2028, and requires certification from a licensed health care provider for the care recipient’s needs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates tax credit reducing tax burden for caregivers, aligning with tax relief for middle-income families under taxation policy.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProvides tax credit for caregiver expenses related to medical care (home modifications, equipment), improving access to healthcare services for patients needing daily health assistance.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides tax credit to unpaid caregivers, reducing financial burden and supporting their ability to provide care, aligning with worker benefit expansion.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Professional Licensing

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

HB 4549: Local Government Freedom Act

HB 4549 requires West Virginia local governments to award public construction contracts over $50,000 to the lowest qualified responsible bidder - defined as the lowest-priced bidder meeting standards for ability, compliance with state laws, and a valid bid bond. The bill also permits political subdivisions (like counties, cities, and school boards) to enter into project labor agreements (pre-hire union contracts) for construction projects. Additionally, for projects exceeding $250,000, the winning bidder must provide a list of subcontractors performing over $25,000 in work within one business day of the bid opening. This directly affects local governments and contractors involved in public construction projects across West Virginia.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentPermits project labor agreements (union pre-hire contracts) for construction projects, directly supporting collective bargaining in labor agreements.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining Tags Local Government

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 28, 2026

HB 4883: Abolish the tax on overtime pay

HB 4883 would exempt overtime pay from West Virginia's personal income tax. Currently, workers pay state income tax on overtime earnings, but this bill would remove that tax obligation. The provision applies directly to all West Virginia employees who earn overtime pay under state labor laws. This change would increase take-home pay for affected workers by eliminating the tax on overtime hours.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts overtime from state income tax, providing direct tax relief to workers and aligning with 'provides tax relief' indicator.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExempts overtime pay from state income tax, directly increasing take-home pay for workers and strengthening wage benefits under Labor & Employment policies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Income Tax Labor Standards

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 29, 2026

HB 4936: Removing the 140 day a year cap placed on the amount of days a year a retired teacher can work before having their retirement penalized

HB 4936 removes the 140-day annual limit on retired teachers working as substitutes without penalty to their retirement benefits. It amends West Virginia law to require that the retirement board’s rule cannot set a cap below 140 days, but explicitly allows retired teachers to work beyond 140 days when teaching vacancies exist and there is a demonstrated need for teachers. The bill also clarifies that days worked are calculated by dividing total hours by the standard full-time daily teaching hours, not by calendar days. This directly affects retired teachers seeking substitute roles and county school boards responsible for tracking their work days under the retirement system.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRemoves cap on retired teachers' substitute work, enabling greater staffing flexibility to address teacher shortages in schools.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRemoves cap on retired teachers' work hours without retirement penalty, expanding employment flexibility for this group.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

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

HB 4804: To modify deputy sheriff’s retirement pay and the cost of receiving certain reports

HB 4804 modifies retirement benefits for deputy sheriffs in West Virginia. It increases the retirement benefit calculation from 2.25% to 2.5% of a member’s final average salary for those retiring after July 1, 2018, directly affecting future retirees. The bill also raises benefits for deputy sheriffs who are totally disabled and allows counties to pay higher fees into the Deputy Sheriff Retirement Fund. These changes aim to provide greater financial security for retired deputy sheriffs while adjusting funding mechanisms for the retirement system.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentIncreases retirement benefits for deputy sheriffs, expanding employment benefits for a specific worker group.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Retirement Benefits

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in committee · West Virginia · Senate Jan 14, 2026

SB 240: Approving overtime pay for teachers

SB 240 would allow West Virginia public school teachers to earn overtime pay for work performed on weekends (Saturdays/Sundays) or beyond standard work hours, but only with prior approval from both the State Board of Education and their school principal. The bill requires the State Board to set the overtime rate based on the existing teacher salary schedule, with weekend work guaranteed to pay at least half the daily regular rate. This policy directly affects public school teachers in West Virginia who perform additional work outside typical hours. The bill does not automatically grant overtime but establishes a framework for its approval and calculation.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill explicitly provides overtime pay for teachers with guaranteed minimum rate, directly supporting educator compensation and retention in K-12 education.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill explicitly enables overtime pay for teachers on weekends/beyond hours, increasing compensation and protecting wage rights under employment standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers Labor Standards

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introduced · West Virginia · Senate Jan 14, 2026

SB 111: Reinstating prevailing wage

This bill requires contractors working on state or public construction projects (like roads, buildings, or infrastructure) to pay workers the prevailing wage rate for their trade in the local area. It mandates that public authorities determine and include this rate in contract specifications each year, based on the rate paid to most workers in that trade and location. Contractors must pay at least this rate, maintain records, post wage information, and face criminal penalties for violations, with these rules applying only to new contracts after the law takes effect. The bill does not affect existing contracts or temporary emergency repairs.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates prevailing wage for public construction contracts, requiring higher pay than standard rates, protecting workers' earnings through enforcement and penalties.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards Minimum Wage

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

HB 4155: To include all West Virginia correctional classifications in the Natural Resources Officer Pension System.

HB 4155 expands West Virginia's Natural Resources Police Officer Retirement System to include all correctional classifications within the state's correctional system. This change directly affects correctional officers who were previously excluded from this specific pension system and were instead covered under the Public Employees Retirement System. The bill establishes procedures for these officers to transfer their service credit into the Natural Resources Police retirement system upon hire or rehire, ensuring continuity of benefits. It modifies existing pension rules to allow correctional officers to participate in this system rather than the broader public employee plan, without creating new benefits.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands retirement benefits for correctional officers by including them in the Natural Resources Police Pension System, previously excluded, strengthening their employment benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Employees Retirement Benefits

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in committee · West Virginia · Senate Jan 28, 2026

SB 396: Creating WV Job training and Placement Act

SB 396 creates the West Virginia Job Training and Placement Act, allowing certified retailers (specifically "workforce training community centers" meeting strict criteria) to keep 75% of sales tax revenue collected after their first $1 million in annual sales. These retailers must use the retained funds exclusively to provide job training and placement services for people facing barriers to employment, such as disabilities, criminal records, homelessness, or low education. The law requires certified organizations to serve at least three people per $10,000 retained, with an average of 2.25 successful job placements, and to monitor job retention for 90 days. Certification lasts three years, with renewal possible, and organizations must report usage to the state Department of Revenue.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill redirects sales tax revenue to fund job training programs via tax retention, aligning with funding essential public services through fiscal policy.90% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill explicitly targets individuals with criminal records for job training services, aiming to reduce recidivism through employment opportunities as part of rehabilitation.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill funds job training for homeless individuals, directly addressing homelessness under housing topic indicators.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill funds job training/placement for barrier groups (disabilities, criminal records, etc.), directly advancing employment standards and worker opportunities.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Sales Tax Homelessness Professional Licensing Workforce Development

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