The Senate passed a bill that would protect certain military records from public release during a very brief floor session Friday morning.

Senate Bill 208 amends West Virginia law to create specific exemptions from public disclosure for specifically outlined military records. These exemptions apply to information that is classified to protect national or state security, vulnerability assessments and response plans for terrorist acts, communication codes, and deployment plans of military and homeland security entities.

The legislation also exempts specific intelligence and investigative records related to terrorism shared between various law enforcement and military agencies, as well as sensitive military information that, if disclosed, could threaten public safety, endanger military personnel, or benefit an adversary. This includes details on deployment, operational plans, tactics, rules of engagement, critical infrastructure security, and personnel and equipment information for the National Guard, armed forces, or Department of Defense.

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

Also on Friday, seven bills were read a second time, all advancing to the passage stage on Monday without amendment. Seven other bills were read a first time. Those bills can be found here.

The Senate is adjourned until Monday, Feb. 2, at 11 a.m.

The Senate Judiciary Committee met this afternoon to discuss a bill on Social Services Policy Manual being reported to the legislature and advancing two bills on the Department of Health and financial exploitation.

Senate Bill 210 would require the Department of Health, Human Services, Health Facilities, and the Office of the Inspector General, along with their bureaus, offices, and programs, to submit plans and performance reports to the appropriate Commission.

Commission is defined in the bill as the Legislative Oversight Commission on Health and Human Resources Accountability. All definitions in the bill can be found in code §16-29E-3.

During the discussion, Alex J. Mayer, Cabinet Secretary of the West Virginia Department of Human Services, raised concerns about the bill, such as additional staff needing to be hired, along with the bill already addressing needs that are currently being addressed, such as certain plans and performances already being reported.

Senator Eric J. Tarr (R – Putman, 04) suggested that the bill requires reports to be more organized and consumable for the legislative body, and states that the bill requires a reorganization process of reports, not an increase in staff.

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

Senate Bill 543 would require the Bureau of Social Services to prepare and file its complete policy manual as a legislative rule.

The policy manual includes, but is not limited to, all policies governing child protective services, foster care, youth services, licensing, casework standards, and other operational or programmatic guidance used by the bureau.

During the discussion, supporters of the bill in the body expressed that if the policy manual rules are submitted to the legislature, then the rules will be made open for public scrutiny and comments, which will lead to accountability and transparency within the agency.

After discussion The Chair of the committee, Tom Willis (R – Berkeley, 15), laid the bill over to Monday for further consideration.

Senate Bill 617 would provide banking protections for eligible adults from financial exploitation.

The bill would permit depository institutions to delay, refuse, or prevent certain activities and financial transactions when an employer suspects financial exploitation of an elder person or incapacitated person.

A representative from the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) in West Virginia stated that approximately 140,000 complaints of financial exploitation have been made from individuals over the age of 60, a significant increase from the year 2023.

Sen. Tarr proposed an amendment to reintroduce immunity within the bill with the intent of restoring protection.

Division was called, and the amendment failed.

The bill was reported to the floor with a recommendation of passage, first being reported to the committee on Finance.

The Senate Committee on Energy, Industry, and Mining advanced four bills relating to the coal mining industry, infrastructure improvements, economic development, and energy rates.

Senate Bill 20 would establish the Stable Energy Rates Protection Act.

This bill would require the Public Service Commission to annually report to the legislature and limit what the Public Service Commission shall approve, consider, or incorporate into any rate increase.

The bill was sent to the full Senate with a recommendation of passage, first sent to the committee on Government Organization.

Senate Bill 25 would establish the West Virginia Coal Marketing Program.

This bill is intended to enhance and expand West Virginia’s coal markets and coal facilities. It would also address impacted cities, towns, and counties that have experienced or will experience changes in their coal markets. The program would be administered by the governor.

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

Senate Bill 131 would create a tax credit against the severance tax to encourage infrastructure improvements.

This bill is intended to cause private companies to improve highways, roads, and bridges in the state of West Virginia.

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

Senate Bill 424, which would establish the Affordable Electricity and Economic Growth Act of 2026. The bill would facilitate coke production and steelmaking in the state.

The Department of Economic Development would be directed to locate economically viable sites that meet specific qualifications, such as being located near consumers of electricity and locations that fulfill the air quality conditions required by the Division of Air Quality of the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection.

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