Six bills were up for passage in the House today. House Bill 4433 garnered debate. The bill adds the crime of human smuggling to the human trafficking law. The bill increases penalties for current offenses and requires restitution for victims.

Opponents of the bill fear it is constitutionally flawed and that, although there is some good in it, the bad outweighs the good.

Minority Leader Sean Hornbuckle said, “The bill is irrelevant to the everyday life of West Virginians,” as it does not address the issues citizens need addressed, such as jobs, utilities, healthcare, childcare, and education. He stated that he fears that this legislation will target West Virginians helping others, not those committing crimes.

Proponents of the bill stated that these are real issues in the country, as over 15,000 foreign nationals and 400,000 American citizens are trafficked annually. Judiciary Chair J.B. Akers said, “Every penny we spend addressing human trafficking, that a penny we can’t spend in our districts.”

Additionally, he stated that this bill is similar to one that passed last year. He stated that West Virginians providing help to people will not face criminal charges. The only way to be criminally charged is to knowingly help a person evade the law while knowing their immigration status.

The bill passed 81-9 and advances to the Senate.

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

Committee Meetings, Today, January 27

• Sub. Com. on Courts immediately following floor in Room 410M
• Sub. Com. on Local Government immediately following floor in Room 215E
• Sub. Com. on Agriculture, Commerce, and Tourism immediately following Local Gov. in Room 215E
• Health & Human Resources immediately following ACT in Room 215E
• Education at 2:30 p.m. in Room 432M
• Energy & Public Works at 5 p.m. in Room 410M

Committee Meetings, Tomorrow, January 28

• 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
• Government Organization at 1 p.m. in Room 215E

The West Virginia House of Delegates debated over several bills on third reading.

House Bill 4081 was debated by several delegates this morning. House Bill 4081 would require the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission to establish a grant program to address food, health, and hygiene insecurities among students enrolled in state institutions of higher education. Sponsors stated the bill would address student food insecurity and hygiene necessities.

In debate, Delegate Chris Anders (R – Berkeley, 97) said he had concerns with the bill eventually coming back to the legislature with the intent for taxpayers having to pay for the program.

“We should not expand the scope of government into every corner of daily life, while  West Virginians are struggling to make ends meet,” Anders said. “If college students need assistance, communities, families, churches, and private organizations are far better equipped to help.”

In response, Delegate Kayla Young (D – Kanawha, 56) spoke to the sponsor to receive clarification on the bill. Sponsor Delegate Jimmy Willis (R – Brooke, 3) said the intent of the bill is to help students in need by utilizing federal grants and private funding sources to fund this program.

Delegate Elias Coop-Gonzalez (R- Randolph, 67) said he understands assisting people, but not assisting “able-bodied adults.”

Delegate John Williams (D – Monongalia, 80) said, “‘He pulled himself up by his bootstraps,’ but what if you don’t have any boots? That’s the case with a lot of our kids who have worked their tails off to become first-gen college students, and this is about supporting them in that dream.”

After Williams, Delegate Margitta Mazzocchi (R – Logan, 031) said, college students are adults. We want to prepare these young ladies and gentlemen to learn that everyone has to work for their necessities, “which means they have to learn that the government is not here and give handouts constantly.”

House Bill 4081 passed with a 71 to 22 vote and will be advanced to the Senate.

In addition, the House advanced House Bills 4007, 4008, 4335, and 4352.

Bills introduced can be found here.

Committee Meetings, Today January 23

• Sub. Com on Homeland Security at 12:45 in Room 410M.
• Sub. Com on Local Governments at 1 p.m. in Room 215E
• Sub. Com on Legal Services at 1:15 in Room 215E

Committee Meetings, Monday January 26

• Sub. Com on Government Administration at 3 p.m. in Room 215E
• Government Organization at 4 p.m. in Room 215E
• Energy and Public Works at 4 p.m. in Room 410M

Committee Meetings, Tuesday January 27

• 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
• Education at 1:30 p.m. in Room 432M
• Health and Human Resources at 3:30 p.m. in Room 215E

The House is adjourned until 1:30 p.m. Monday, January 26, 2026.