Blog – Page 16

Senate HHR Advances Bill to Safeguard Recovery Residences in West Virginia

Senate Committee

Jaidyn Carter

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February 5, 2026

Senate HHR Advances Bill to Safeguard Recovery Residences in West Virginia

Senate Health and Human Resources met Thursday evening, and advanced bills on providing protection on recovery homes and opioid treatment facilities.

Senate Bill 589 would focus on providing safeguards for recovery residences, which are drug and alcohol-free homes intended to support individuals during their recovery journey in West Virginia.

This bill would change current law by reducing the mandatory registration of recovery residences. This would allow recovery programs to register with the state only if they want to removes agency’s authority, providing more freedom.

Illegal patient referrals would be prohibited, making it a crime to pay or receive money to transfer patients to or from recovery homes or healthcare providers, helping prevent exploitation and corruption.

Several individuals came and testified to the body, sharing heartfelt stories about their personal struggles with addiction and how they have successfully turned their lives around.

They emphasized that long-term recovery programs are far more effective than short-term approaches and voiced strong support for the bill, highlighting how it could help others achieve the same positive outcomes.

“This is my best day in the legislature, and it’s my worst day in the legislature because for every victorious person that stands here, there are hundreds of people who are on the front side of their story. We’ve got to affect outcome, not talk about it or debate about it; we must change the system,” T. Kevan Bartlett (R – Kanawha, 08) stated.

The bill was reported to the full Senate with a recommendation of passage, first being sent to the committee on Judiciary.

The body also discussed four bills, including House Bill 4196, which would prohibit individuals and corporations from operating an opioid treatment facility program without first obtaining a license from the Director of the Office of Health Facility Licensure and Certification.

Following a discussion, the four bills were sent to the full Senate with a recommendation of passage.

House Education Subcommittees Met this Afternoon

House Committee

Cheyenne DeBolt

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February 5, 2026

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House Education Subcommittees Met this Afternoon

Public Education

The Subcommittee on Public Education met this afternoon.

Markup & Passage

House Bill 4485 allows mothers to use sick leave for maternity leave, meaning donated sick leave can be used.

Committee Hearing

House Bill 4395 requires continued investigation of allegations that school personnel have jeopardized a student’s health, safety, or welfare, even if the school personnel obtain another job or transfer to another school.

Educational Choice

The Subcommittee on Educational Choice met this afternoon to hear about House Bill 4065. The bill changes the composition of the HOPE Scholarship Board by making three current members nonvoting: the State Attorney General, the State Superintendent of Schools, and the Chancellor of Higher Education. The purpose of the bill is to allow parents better representation on the board. The sponsor said the reason for removing voting rights is that they typically send a designee, and that person isn’t always the same.

House Appropriations Advances Two Bills

House Committee

Cheyenne DeBolt

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February 5, 2026

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The Appropriations Subcommittee met today to discuss two bills.

House Bill 4360 would allow the Administrative Director of the Supreme Court to create a pay scale for judicial support staff.

House Bill 4416 would reclassify forestry equipment as Class I property to provide tax benefits to forestry businesses by acknowledging forestry as a part of agriculture.

Senate Passes DEP Rules Bill

Senate Floor Session

Jaidyn Carter

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February 5, 2026

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The Senate met Thursday morning, passing one bill and advancing eight others to second reading.

Senate Bill 256 authorizes the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to enact several legislative rules. These rules cover a range of air and water quality issues, including alternative emission limitations during startup and shutdown operations, ambient air quality standards, standards for new stationary sources, control of air pollution from solid waste combustion, and regulations for hazardous waste treatment, storage, and disposal facilities.

The legislation also authorizes rules concerning emission standards for hazardous air pollutants, a cross-state air pollution rule to manage nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide emissions, a hazardous waste management system, requirements for water quality standards, and a fee schedule for carbon dioxide sequestration.

The bill now heads to the House of Delegates for further consideration.

Senate Bills 746-783 were introduced.

The Senate is adjourned until Friday, Feb. 6, at 11 a.m.

Afternoon Meetings:

Health and Human Resources at 1 p.m. in Room 451M

Economic Development at 1 p.m. in Room 208W

Finance at 3 p.m. in Room 451M

Judiciary at 3 p.m. in Room 208W

Morning Meetings for Feb. 6:

The Subcommittee for Senate Bill 640 at 9:30 a.m. in the President’s Conference Room

Military at 10:15 a.m. in Room 208W

House Judiciary Advances Foster Children Transparency Bill

House Committee

Soleil Woolard

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February 5, 2026

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The House Judiciary and subcommittees discussed several bills this morning.

Judiciary

House Bill 4466 would extend the public intoxication code to include being under the influence of narcotics. This bill was advanced to the floor.

House Bill 4695 would increase the criminal penalty for anyone guilty of sexual assault on a minor. This bill was advanced to the floor.

House Bill 4725 would allow a court to order a change in the animal’s place of custody and to order the animal euthanized if it is in the animal’s best interests or for public health and safety. The euthanasia of the animal must be based on a sworn testimony of a licensed veterinarian or animal control officer. This bill was advanced to markup and discussion.

House Bill 4749 would guarantee that foster children age 13 and older are notified of and supported in attending court hearings, with legal counsel present and an explanation of the outcome. This bill was advanced through the process and sent to the House floor.

House Bill 4801 would define permissible expenditures for municipalities and counties. This bill was advanced to markup and discussion.

House Bill 4962 would create legal procedures for handling drug-related nuisances and penalties. These procedures would allow property owners to take steps to prevent the use of their property for the manufacturing, usage, sale, storage, or distribution of drugs. This bill was advanced to markup and discussion.

Senate Bill 207 would clarify the sheriff’s compensation for the collection of taxes. This bill was advanced to markup and discussion.

Legal Services

House Bill 5101 would create the Joanna Phillips Domestic Violence Prevention Act. This act would create and increase penalties for certain domestic violence offenses and change bail requirements for domestic violence. This bill was reported to the Judiciary.

House Bill 4865 would provide a program allowing election official trainees to be appointed as election officials. This bill was advanced to markup and discussion.

House Bill 4881 would remove the requirement that the loan value of a motor vehicle be less than $9,500 to allow an automobile dealer, licensed automobile auction, motor vehicle repair facility, or towing company to obtain the title and registration for the abandoned motor vehicle. This bill was advanced to markup and discussion.

Homeland Security

House Bill 4996 would create mandatory bail conditions for people charged with making terrorist threats against a school. This bill was advanced to markup and discussion.

House Bill 4997 would prohibit persons convicted of felony terroristic threats towards schools or children from residing within 1,000 feet of a school. This bill was advanced to markup and discussion.

Courts

House Bill 4098 would reinstate jury rights to citizens with felony convictions if the felony convictions have been expunged. This bill was reported to the Judiciary.

House Bill 4850 would provide online training for people to become Executors/Executrixes of an Estate. This bill was advanced to markup and discussion.

House Bill 4999 would change the criminal and administrative penalties for assault or battery on athletic officials and participants, including, but not limited to, players, scorekeepers, coaches, and referees. This bill was advanced to markup and discussion.

House Honors Former Delegate Doug Skaff

House Floor Session

Soleil Woolard

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February 5, 2026

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The West Virginia House of Delegates honored Delegate Douglas John Skaff Jr. this morning.

House Resolution 9 passed unanimously to honor the life of Douglas John Skaff Jr. and express the condolences of the legislative body to his family and friends.

In addition to the passage of House Resolution 9, the House advanced House Bills 4606 and 4696.

House Bill 4606 would allow judicial officers, when determining bail, to use residency status. In the bill, this is described as including, but not limited to, if they are a resident of the state, they have ties to the community, or if they are a flight risk.

House Bill 4696 would update the language in the Abandoned Mines Lands and Reclamation Act to allow the Department of Environmental Protection office to be able to receive federal funding.

Bills introduced can be found here.
Resolutions introduced can be found here.

Committee Meetings, Today February 5

Government Organization at 1 p.m. in Room 215E
Sub. Com on Government Administration at 2 p.m. in Room 215E
Sub. Com on Public Education at 1 p.m. in Room 432M
Sub. Com on Educational Choice at 1:40 p.m. in Room 432M
Sub. Com on Environment, Infrastructure, and Technology at 3 p.m. in Room 410M
Health and Human Resources at 3:30 p.m. in Room 215E

Committee Meetings, Friday February 6

Finance at 9 a.m. in Room 460M
Judiciary at 9 a.m. in Room 410M
Sub. Com on Legal Services at 9:45 a.m. in Room 410M
Sub. Com on Homeland Security at 10 a.m. in Room 410M
Sub. Com on Courts at 10:15 a.m. in Room 410M
Sub. Com on Local Government at 1 p.m. in Room 215E
Sub. Com on Agriculture, Tourism, and Commerce at 2 p.m. in Room 215E

The House is adjourned until 11:00 a.m. Friday, February 6, 2026.

Senate Education Advances Bills On Holocaust Learning and Women’s Sports

Senate Committee

Jaidyn Carter

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February 5, 2026

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Senate Education Advances Bills On Holocaust Learning and Women’s Sports

Senate Education met Thursday morning and advanced two bills regarding women’s sports and Holocaust learning.

Senate Bill 502 would establish the Women’s Collegiate Sports Protection Act.

The bill would provide permanent funding and incentives to protect women’s college sports at public NCAA Division one colleges in West Virginia.

It would offer endowments, state matching funds for savings, and tax credits for private donations while ensuring compliance with Title IX.

The bill was reported from committee and will be sent to the committee on Finance.

Senate Bill 633 would establish the West Virginia Commission on Holocaust Education.

This bill would update and reorganize the West Virginia Commission on Holocaust Education to ensure the continuation of Holocaust education as firsthand survivors become fewer over time.

The bill states that the original statutory framework must be revised because of the loss of Holocaust survivors, eyewitnesses, and liberators who previously participated in the Commission.

The West Virginia Holocaust Education Commission’s new members would include:

Ex Officio: Education, Human Rights, Veterans’ Affairs leaders
Community/Civil Rights: Jewish, interfaith, and civil rights representatives
Educators/Scholars: K-12 teachers, college reps, Holocaust experts
Public Members: Experts in history, ethics, or human rights
Optional: Up to 2 extra voting members and non-voting advisors (students, scholars, and community leaders)

The bill was reported to the full Senate with a recommendation of passage.

House Energy and Public Works Hear Two DOH Related Bills

House Committee

Cheyenne DeBolt

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February 4, 2026

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House Energy and Public Works Hear Two DOH Related Bills

The Committee on Energy and Public Works met this afternoon.

Markup & Passage

House Bill 4011 would facilitate the implementation of third-party certification of mass balance attribution to promote waste reduction practices by enabling the use of recycled material in feedstock for new products.

Committee Hearing

House Bill 4976 clarifies the code regarding license plate production.

House Bill 4983 allows the Department of Commerce to adopt rules governing microgrid districts and high-impact data centers.

House Bill 4993 allows green flashing warning lights to be used by the Division of Highways and other vehicles at the discretion of the Commissioner of Highways.

House Bill 4994 would modernize and clarify the rules governing timelines and responsibilities for the Division of Highways during utility relocation projects. It’ll require coordination between utility companies and DOH.

Senate Judiciary Advances Second Amendment Reaffirmation and Protection Act

Senate Committee

Jaidyn Carter

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February 4, 2026

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Senate Judiciary Advances Second Amendment Reaffirmation and Protection Act

The Senate Judiciary Committee met on Wednesday afternoon and advanced two bills regarding creating felony penalties for threats using electronics and the Second Amendment Reaffirmation and Protection Act.

Senate Bill 478 would establish the Second Amendment Reaffirmation and Protection Act.

This bill would require that if federal gun laws such as the National Firearms Act (1934), Gun Control Act (1968), or the Firearm Owner’s Protection Act (1986) are repealed by Congress or deemed unconstitutional by a court, West Virginia law automatically protects people’s right to own and use guns without restrictions being placed despite federal law restrictions.

This bill would prevent state agencies or local government from enforcing or funding any firearm regulations that reflect federal gun laws that have been repealed or ruled unconstitutional.

State and local officials would be prohibited from replacing former federal firearm restrictions with new state or local rules.

Senator Eric J. Tarr (R – Putnam, 04) proposed a conceptual amendment to remove language in the bill referencing a “cause of action”, citing concerns that it could expose West Virginia taxpayers to legal liability and increased litigation costs.

Opposing members of the body argued that the cause of action serves as the bill’s enforcement mechanism, allowing individuals to protect their constitutional rights if infringed upon by the federal government.

Following the discussion, the Senator’s amendment was rejected.

The bill was reported to the full Senate with a recommendation of passage.

Senate Bill 473 would create felony penalties for criminal threats made through electronic devices.

This bill would change current law by making it a felony instead of a misdemeanor for using phones, tablets, computers, gaming devices, or other electronic devices to harass, threaten, or intimidate individuals, especially when those threats involve violence.

Violent threats made through an electronic device must cause one of the following to happen for it to be a felony:

An evacuation of any building, place of assembly, or facility of public transportation
Serious public fear, panic, or disruption
Or is made with reckless disregard for the risk of causing serious public harm or inconvenience.

The individual would be guilty of a felony and serve 2-10 years in a state correctional facility.

Senator Ryan Weld (R – Brooke, 01) proposed an amendment to the language of the bill, adding the term “with the intent” to the legislation, to acknowledge that if an individual makes a threat, they must have the intention to do harm as well.

The amended section would read:

“Any person who uses a computer, mobile phone, personal digital assistant, gaming device, or other electronic communication device with the intent to threaten to commit any crimes of violence against another person or persons.”

The Senator’s amendment was adopted.

The bill, as amended, was reported to the full Senate with a recommendation of passage.

House Judiciary Debates Absentee Ballot Bill

House Committee

Soleil Woolard

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February 4, 2026

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House Judiciary Debates Absentee Ballot Bill

The House Judiciary Committee and its subcommittees advanced several bills this morning.

House Bill 4053 would establish the Blue Envelope Program. The Blue Envelope program would assist communication between law enforcement officers and individuals with autism, dementia, or intellectual and developmental disabilities during a motor vehicle-related interaction. This bill was advanced to the floor.

House Bill 4179 would create a felony charge for individuals who assault police officers or police dogs. This bill was advanced to the floor.

House Bill 4345 would establish a protocol for preserving records and evidence in missing persons cases that are unresolved after one year by making them digital and being housed at the West Virginia Fusion Center. This bill was advanced to the floor.

House Bill 4468 would require any court or state records that contain identifying information of a victim or an arrest remain confidential. This bill would require the name and address in a criminal complaint be confidential. This bill was advanced to the floor.

House Bill 4600 would require absentee ballots mailed in to be received by 8:00 p.m. on the day of the election to be counted. This bill was advanced to the floor.

In discussion of this bill, Delegate Shawn Fluharty (D – Ohio, 5) shared concerns about this bill with the impact it will have on rural areas in the state and how this bill is based off a conspiracy.

Delegate Jim Butler (R – Mason, 18) spoke in favor of the bill that it increases voter confidence and fair results on election day. Butler said this would also increase the amount of time for votes for seven days.

In response, Delegate Evan Hansen (D – Monongalia, 79) said this does not increase the amount of time, this decreases the amount of time for voters by seven days. Hansen said this bill would result in fewer ballots being counted that are cast by the elderly, by the sick, and by military personnel.

Hansen said. “No testimony was provided by a county clerk or anyone that says this is an issue. This is a bill that will disenfranchise West Virginians.”

Delegate Mark Zatezalo (R – Hancock, 2) spoke in favor of the bill. Zatezalo said the deadline for voting in-person is election day and does not see a problem with this bill to set that ground rule for absentee ballots.

House Bill 4893 would increase the penalties for contempt of court in a magistrates’ court. This bill was advanced to the floor.

House Bill 4466 would extend the public intoxication code to include being under the influence of narcotics. This bill was advanced to markup and discussion.

House Bill 4695 would increase the criminal penalty for anyone guilty of sexual assault on a minor. This bill was advanced to markup and discussion.

Courts

House Bill 4725 would allow a court to order a change in the animal’s place of custody and to order the animal euthanized if it is in the best interests of the animal or public health and safety. The euthanasia of the animal must be based on a sworn testimony of a licensed veterinarian or animal control officer. This bill was advanced to Judiciary.

House Bill 4098 would reinstate jury rights to citizens with felony convictions if the felony convictions have been expunged. This bill was moved to markup and discussion.

Legal Services

House Bill 4801 would define allowed expenditures for municipalities and counties. This bill was reported to Judiciary.

House Bill 5101 would create The Joanna Phillips Domestic Violence Prevention Act. This act would create and increase penalties for certain domestic violence and change bail requirements for domestic violence. This bill was advanced to markup and discussion.