The House Judiciary Committee met Tuesday morning to review three bills addressing human smuggling, drug testing, and juvenile jurisdiction, and heard a presentation on the Office of the Inspector General.

House Bill 4433 updates current law by increasing penalties for knowingly transporting undocumented individuals.

The bill would require a minimum of five years in prison before parole eligibility for those convicted.

The bill also adds a legal definition of “illegal alien” under state human trafficking law and makes undocumented individuals ineligible for restitution.

Del. Evan Hansen (D) – Monongalia, 079) minority chair of the Energy and Public Works Committee, expressed concerns that the bill could increase the presence of ICE agents in West Virginia, noting that the state already has approximately 300 ICE detainees, which only adds to the overcrowding in West Virginia jails. He stated that three-quarters of the individuals that ICE is detaining have no criminal records and are not in the country illegally.

“My concern is that this will subject people of faith to criminal penalties and time in jail”, Del. Hansen said. “For a lot of people, religion is not just about going to church or praying; it’s about taking care of the poor, needy, and immigrants; this bill criminalizes compassion.”

Supporters say the legislation is intended to address gaps in existing law.

“Our compassion has been exploited for too long, and the perpetual amnesty cries and the facilitating of the invasion of this country have gone on for far too long. I strongly support this bill”, Del. Joe Funkhouser (R – Jefferson, 098) said.

The bill was reported to the House with the recommendation that it do pass.

Next, the Inspector General for the West Virginia Department of Health Facilities, Ann Urling, presented a report to the Committee about the role of Inspectors General.

Urling states that their mission is to promote efficiency, transparency, and accountability in the integrity of the Department of Health and Human Services.

Following, the Committee discussed House Bill 4169, which expands who is authorized to complete and verify a mental health examination.

The bill removes language limiting examinations for licensed psychologists or psychiatrists and instead allows a verified certificate of mental health examination to be completed by a:

* Physician

* Psychologist

* Licensed professional counselor (LPC)

* Licensed independent clinical social worker (LICSW)

* Advanced nurse practitioner with psychiatric certification, practicing in compliance with state code

* Psychiatric assistant, practicing in compliance with state code

The bill was advanced and marked up for further discussion.

Next, the Committee advanced House Bill 4364, which clarifies how juvenile cases are handled on military installations and allows the state to regain exclusive jurisdiction in certain cases currently under federal authority.

The bill was advanced and marked up for further discussion.

The Finance Committee met this morning for budget hearings and to consider House Bill 4007.

House Bill 4007 adds approved industrial development sites to the Industrial Access Road Fund. The bill also increases the amount of matched and unmatched funds. The bill advanced from committee.

The Secretary of State provides its budget presentation. The office stated that FTEs have decreased over the past 10 years, but services have increased, and quality has been maintained. The One Stop Business Center portal continues to have success with online filings and increased partnerships. Newer partnerships include providing services through the WV Grants Resource Center and Small Business Development Centers. Business One Stop has locations in Charleston, Martinsburg, and Clarksburg.

For FY27, the goals of the WV Secretary of State are to continue to build resources for small businesses and entrepreneur support. The Office plans to continue modernizing campaign finance and voter registration systems. The office is working to update the Administrative Law Database for rule filing and the Investigations Division case system. Additionally, the office plans to expand statewide the “Cyber Navigator” election security program in partnership with Marshall University’s Institute for Cyber Security.

In the budget as introduced, there is a 2% decrease in the Secretary of State’s budget allocation. The office is requesting supplemental funding for employee compensation increases and benefits. The FY27 budget request for the Secretary of State is $8,716,936.

The Department of Transportation also provided its FY27 budget presentation to the House Finance Committee. The estimated revenue for the WV DOT is just around $1 million from registrations, sales (privilege tax), and motor fuel taxes. The federal reimbursement to the state is estimated at $929,175,000 in 2027, while the federal expenses are expected to be $975,000,000.

The Division of Motor Vehicles is requesting $77,531,606 from the State Road Fund for 2027. The Division of Highways is requesting $2,039,710,962 from the State Road Fund for 2027. The primary uses for the State Road Fund are debt services and obligated fixed costs, federal matching, maintenance and preservation, resurfacing and bridge programs, and equipment purchases and maintenance. The Division of Multimodal Transportation Facilities is requesting $7,838,972 from the General Revenue Fund; $400,000 will be used for railroad maintenance.

The DOT has experienced cost increases due to inflation for steel, stone and aggregate, fuel, equipment, contractors and construction, buildings and grounds, and PEIA costs.

The House Committee on Education met this afternoon to discuss three bills.

HB4081 – Higher Education Health Aid Grant

House Bill 4081 would create the Higher Education Health and Aid Grant, requiring 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. The bill is intended to support students’ basic needs to improve well-being and academic success.

The bill was sent to the floor with a recommendation that it do pass, but first referred to the House Committee on Finance.

HB4087 – West Virginia-Ireland Education Alliances

House Bill 4087 would create a West Virginia-Ireland Education Alliance by expanding the membership of the West Virginia-Ireland Trade Commission to include an interest in education.

The bill was sent to the House with the recommendation that it be passed, first being referred to the House Committee on Finance.

HB4002 – West Virginia Collaboratory

House Bill 4002 would establish the West Virginia Collaboratory, outlining its powers and duties, directing funding, and creating an advisory group to guide its operations.

The bill was advanced on mark-up and discussion phase for further consideration.

The House Health and Human Resources Committee met to discuss several bills, advancing some to the mark-up and passage phase for further consideration, while reporting others to the House with a recommendation that they do pass.

HB4196 – Medication-Assisted Treatment Program / Long-Acting Reversible Contraception

House Bill 4196 would amend the Medication-Assisted Treatment Program Licensing Act to require licensed programs to offer long-lasting reversible contraception (LARC) to patients receiving methadone or suboxone treatment.

The legislation ensures that patients have access to LARC directly at the treatment facility.

The committee reported the bill to the House with the recommendation that it do pass.

HB4335 – Concerning Medicaid Providers

House Bill 4335 proposes changes to Medicaid provider enrollment and credentialing by setting expedited timelines, standardizing requirements across managed care organizations, and directing the creation of a unified statewide electronic credentialing system.

The committee reported the bill to the House with the recommendation that it do pass.

HB4021 – Bring Them Home Fund / Child Welfare Facilities

House Bill 4021 would create the Bring Them Home Fund and establish guidelines for distributing funds to renovate existing state-owned properties to support the expansion of West Virginia’s child welfare provider network.

The bill would also grant authority to promulgate legislative rules related to the program.

The presenter noted that out-of-state placements may limit contact with family and support networks for children already experiencing a crisis.

The presenter stated that approximately 350 West Virginia children are currently placed out of state, at an estimated cost of about $2,000 per child, which is higher than the cost of in-state care.

Del. Mike Pushkin ( D – Kanawha, 054), raised concerns about concentrating many children in a single facility rather than using the funds to purchase or renovate smaller, home-like settings.

The presenter noted that children generally experience better outcomes in smaller, home-like settings.

The committee advanced the bill to the markup and passage phase for further consideration.

HB4022 – CPS Worker Allocation

House Bill 4022 would require the allocation and assignment of Child Protective Services (CPS) workers by county and mandate that any changes to these allocations be reported.

The bill is intended to ensure transparency and oversight in staffing decisions for CPS personnel.

The committee advanced the bill to the markup and passage phase for further consideration.

HB4354 – Foster Child Clothing Allowance

House Bill 4354 would establish requirements for an adequate wardrobe and approved necessities for children removed from their homes and placed in legal custody of the Department of Health and Human Services.

The bill also sets forth payment methods for these items and is intended to standardize clothing allowances for foster children.

The committee advanced the bill to the markup and passage phase for further consideration.