The Senate Judiciary Committee met on Wednesday afternoon and advanced two bills regarding a multi-jurisdictional cold case task force within the State Police and limiting minors from accessing certain content.

House Bill 4799, known as the Leah Hickman Memorial Act, would establish a statewide Cold Case Task Force within the West Virginia State Police.

A cold case is defined as any investigation into a qualifying crime, a missing person, or unidentified human remains where all investigative leads have been exhausted, and the crime remains unsolved. Other definitions regarding the bill can be found in code: §15A-12-9.

The task force would focus on investigating and prosecuting unresolved cases and operate under an executive board made up of state and local law enforcement leaders.

This bill allows cooperation with federal, state, and local agencies, creates a dedicated fund to support operations, and requires data sharing through the West Virginia Fusion Center.

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

House Bill 4412 would hold commercial websites and apps legally responsible if they allow minors to access pornography or other sexual material defined in the bill as harmful to minors.

If more than one-third of a site’s content includes sexual material harmful to minors, the site would be required to verify that users are 18 or older using, using a government ID, digital ID, or another approved age-verification system.

Companies would not be allowed to keep personal information collected only for age checks.

A parent, guardian, or other person legally allowed to act on behalf of a minor could sue the commercial website or app that publishes or distributes the material. If it fails to verify age or improperly keeps, uses, or shares personal information collected during the age-verification process.

Senator Ryan W. Weld (R – Brooke, 01) proposed a conceptual amendment that would add clean-up language and add child pornography under the cause of action section in the bill.

The amendment was adopted.

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

The Senate met on Wednesday morning and advanced 32 bills on Crossover Day.

Senate Bill 420 would establish the West Virginia First Energy Act.

The act would require utilities to do the following:

•  Coal Use: Coal plants must hit a 69 percent utilization rate; gas plants back them up.
• Plant Closures: Utilities need PSC and PEA approval before retiring or reducing any coal or gas plant.
•  Renewables: Wind and solar projects are limited unless they don’t raise rates or hurt reliability.
•  Fuel Security: Utilities must keep a 30-day fuel supply for emergencies.
•  Oversight: Utilities submit annual operational plans covering fuel, upgrades, and maintenance for review. `

Senator Tom Takubo (R – Kanawha, 17) questioned whether the bill functions more as a mandate than a policy framework, warning it could lead to unintended consequences.

He stated that tying rate recovery to a required utilization target and restricting cost recovery for certain energy sources could ultimately increase electric bills if utilities are required to run higher-cost coal units rather than relying on market-based generations.

He also expressed concern that the bill narrows future flexibility by limiting when utilities may retire or decommission coal or natural gas plants, potentially “handcuffing” long-term energy planning as markets and technology evolve.

Senator Chris Rose (R – Monongalia, 02) stated that the bill is not a mandate, but a reliability measure intended to protect West Virginia’s energy independence.

He stated that the legislation would push back against what he describe as a continued “war on coal” by ensuring coal-fired plants remain operational and competitive.

He argued that by setting a 69 percent utilization goal and requiring regulatory approval before plant retirements, it would provide stability, preserve jobs, and prevent over-reliance on out-of-state or intermittent energy sources.

Senate Bill 590 would make it a criminal offense to perform an adult cabaret where it could be seen by a minor.

The bill defines “adult cabaret performances” as a performance in a location other than an adult cabaret that features topless dancers, go-go dancers, exotic dancers, strippers, male or female impersonators who provide entertainment that appeals to the prurient interest, or similar entertainers, regardless of consideration.

A first violation would be a misdemeanor, while a second offense would be a felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a $25,000 fine.

Supporters of the bill state it provides clear rules for adult entertainment venues, helping local authorities regulate safety while protecting community standards and public decency.

Senator Joey Garcia (D – Marion, 13) raised concerns that the language of the bill could leave too much for the courts to interpret. He questioned whether the bill might go beyond protecting children and instead regulate public expression, including theater performances like Shakespeare, where male actors play female roles, potentially putting public entertainment at risk.

Senate Bill 641 would update West Virginia’s Aboveground Storage Tank Act.

The bill sets rules for classifying and regulating tanks near public water sources, creating Level 1 and Level 2 tanks based on size, location, and contents. Existing tanks in newly designated zones get nine months’ notice before new rules apply. Most small or industrial tanks are exempt but must still register and post signs.

“This bill weakens standards for clean drinking water,” stated Senator Mike A. Woelfel (D – Cabell, 05), noting that some aboveground storage tanks contain hazardous materials like lead, and argued that lowering protections puts West Virginians at risk. He stated that although he supports natural gas industries, he warned that this approach to water safety is a mistake for the state.

Supporters of the legislation state that it strengthens oversight by regulating tanks based on their risk profile. They note that exempted tanks aren’t considered hazardous, while both Level 1 and Level 2 tanks remain regulated and must have secondary containment. They also state that the bill provides relief from regulations for small “mom and pop” business owners and natural gas operators in West Virginia.

Senate Bill 963 would require a full court hearing before someone can be barred from having guns under a protective order. The hearing must include the respondent, their lawyer, and clear evidence that they pose an immediate danger.

The bill allows the respondent an automatic appeal if their firearms are restricted. All other parts of the protective order, such as banning abuse, harassment, stalking, or threats, would stay in effect.

The gun restrictions may only be applied when the court finds convincing evidence of immediate danger to the petitioner and cannot be used for punitive purposes.

Senator Ryan W. Weld (R – Brooke, 01) raised concerns about domestic violence victims being at risk due to the legislation. Noting that between the filing of an emergency protective order and the full hearing, petitioners face a 5 times higher likelihood of being a victim of domestic violence or killed. “In the name of domestic violence, I rise in opposition to the bill,” he stated.

Supporters of the bill state that the legislation protects respondents’ legal rights while still allowing courts to act in cases of confirmed domestic violence.

Senate Bill 805 would allow the Mothers and Babies Pregnancy Support program to cover the expenses associated with the abortion pill reversal.

The West Virginia Mothers and Babies Pregnancy Support Program is a state program housed within the Bureau for Public Health that provides funding to pregnancy help organizations across the state and will not provide funding to any abortion industry organizations.

The bill defined “abortion pill reversal” as the use of progesterone by a licensed health care provider for the purpose of counteracting the effects of ingested mifepristone as part of a chemical abortion.

The term “chemical abortion” is defined as the use or prescription of an abortion-inducing drug dispensed with the intent to cause an abortion. Further definitions in the bill can be found in code: §16-66-1.

The bill is intended to allow women who decided no longer to follow through with an abortion to reverse the abortion using the medication.

It has not been proven by a major medical organization or by scientific evidence that the medication reverses abortions. Members of the body stated witnessing and hearing successful stories of women using the medication to reverse an abortion.

Senator Joey Garcia (D – Marion, 13) raised concerns that the bill is politicizing healthcare. He noted that the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists described these procedures as “unproven” and “unethical” and could lead to heavy bleeding or other complications if medication is not taken as intended.

Supporters of the bill state that they have witnessed and heard successful stories of women using the medication to reverse an abortion and have faith in its positive impact.

All bills on third reading passed the full Senate and were sent to the House of Delegates for consideration.

Afternoon Meeting:

Banking and Insurance at 2 p.m. in Room 451M

Judiciary at 3 p.m. in Room 208W

Morning Meetings for March 5:

Education at 9:30 a.m. in Room 451M

Government Organization at 9:30 a.m. in Room 208W

The Senate is adjourned until tomorrow at 11 a.m.

The Senate Transportation and Infrastructure Committee met Wednesday morning and advanced four bills regarding communication between law enforcement and community members, Gold Star Family license plates, automobile dealers, and the Division of Motor Vehicles.

House Bill 4053 would establish the Blue Envelope Program.

This program is designed to promote inclusivity and foster communication between law enforcement and community members who have a condition or disability that may require additional accommodations or awareness.

Individuals with autism spectrum disorder, dementia, or intellectual and developmental disabilities would receive a blue-colored envelope.

Each Blue Envelope would have the following:

• State the diagnosis of the individual and provide directions for law enforcement officers for best practice when interacting with the individual.
• Driver’s communication needs and recommendations for law enforcement officers with interaction techniques.
• Blank area where the individual or their emergency contact may add additional noteworthy comments pertaining to the individual’s needs or requested accommodation, and contact information of the emergency contact person.
• Be a sufficient size to fit into the glove compartment of a motor vehicle and be able to hold a driver’s license, vehicle registration card, vehicle insurance card, and other related documents.
• Have printed directions instructing the driver to place their proof of vehicle registration and insurance in the envelope and provide such envelope and their driver’s license to law enforcement if they’re involved in a traffic stop or traffic accident.

The West Virginia State Police shall not store or collect information identifying any person who has requested an envelope.

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

House Bill 4437 would provide one free Gold Star Family license plate to Gold Star parents in West Virginia.

The bill would expand existing military plate provisions to ensure parents of fallen service members receive the same benefit already available to Gold Star spouses.

Under the bill, a qualifying Gold Star Parent, defined as a mother or father of a veteran eligible for a Gold Star lapel pin under federal law, would be exempt from all registration fees for one personal vehicle plate.

Gold Star spouses would continue to receive the same exemption, and applicants would still be required to provide proper documentation to verify eligibility.

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

House Bill 4881 would modify the process for automobile dealers, licensed automobile auctions, motor vehicle repair facilities, and towing companies seeking titles for abandoned or junked vehicles left on their property.

The bill would remove the existing loan value limitation currently included in the statute.

Under current law, a business may only obtain a certificate of title if the vehicle’s loan value is $9,500 or less. This bill would eliminate that cap, allowing eligible businesses to apply for a title and registration regardless of the vehicle’s value.

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

House Bill 4976 would clarify the requirements that must be met before the Division of Motor Vehicles approves and produces special organizational license plates.

An organization would be required to submit a formal application, a proposed plate design, and collect at least 100 completed applications for Class A vehicles or 50 for Class G vehicles before production could start.

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

The Senate Judiciary Committee met Tuesday afternoon and advanced two bills regarding crimes against athletic officials and veteran-owned businesses.

House Bill 4999 would strengthen protections for athletic officials and participants and establish penalties for assault or battery against them.

The bill specifies that officials, referees, coaches, school administrators, and team members are all covered. It sets fines and jail terms, allows schools to ban offenders from events for at least a year, and treats violations as trespassing, while players are exempt from actions within the rules of the game.

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

House Bill 5227 would update business reporting requirements in West Virginia, including annual and biennial report fees, late fees, and procedures for filing with the Secretary of State.

The bill would provide a four-year fee exemption for veteran and active-duty member-owned businesses, establish an official veteran-owned business logotype, allow fee waivers at certain entrepreneurship events, and ensure that delinquent filings can result in suspension or revocation of business registration until resolved.

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

The Senate Education Committee met Tuesday afternoon and advanced three bills regarding emergency situations for teachers, senior citizens’ education, and financial aid for post-secondary education.

House Bill 4798 would authorize wearable panic alert systems in West Virginia schools under “Alyssa’s Law.”

The devices would allow school personnel to directly contact 9-1-1 and trigger campus-wide lockdown notifications during emergencies, contingent upon available funding.

The bill directs state education officials to set implementation rules. It allows county boards to distribute devices and requires annual training. The bill also mandates coordination with local law enforcement for security access. It creates a school safety fund for equipment costs and sunsets in 2029.

During testimony on House Bill 4798, Lori Alhadeff, mother of Alyssa, shared a personal plea for the legislature. She recounted the loss of her 14-year-old daughter in a school shooting and emphasized the life-saving potential of wearable panic alert devices, stating that if the bill passes and the devices are in every school, “Alyssa will be saving so many lives.”

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

House Bill 5110 would lower the age for tuition and fee waivers at West Virginia colleges from 65 to 60.

This bill would allow seniors to take courses for credit or audit at reduced rates, depending on residency and classroom availability.

The bill requires schools to set rules for priority registration, additional fees like labs or parking, and tuition for credit courses at 50% of normal resident rates. The program applies to in-person, online, and other distance learning courses.

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

House Bill 5212 would modernize West Virginia’s financial aid programs, streamline eligibility, and expand support for part-time and workforce-focused students. It also clarifies rules for loans, scholarships, and repayment requirements.

The bill would connect financial aid more closely to high-need job sectors, reduce administrative complexity, and create a more coordinated system for students and institutions across the state.

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

The Senate met Tuesday morning and adopted Senate Resolution 55 regarding honeybees and Senate Resolution 56, which honors Sergeant First Class Bill Brown for his distinguished military service. The Senate also passed several bills on third reading.

Senate Bill 657 would establish the Cohen Craddock Student Athlete Safety Act.

This bill would require the West Virginia Board of Education to promulgate a legislative rule in conjunction with the West Virginia Board of Physical Therapy, governing concussion protocol, education on the prevention of concussions, and the development of the Concussion Education, Prevention, and Response Plan.

This bill is intended to address the various risks of injuries, including concussions, heat-related illnesses, and cardiac events that could take place with student athletes, and ensure the safety and well-being of students playing sports.

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 I 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.

Senate Bill 1012 would permit the development of additional juvenile substance use disorder treatment beds in Cabell County.

Under current law, new licensed substance abuse treatment beds generally cannot be added in counties that already have more than 250 beds. This bill creates an exception allowing a certificate of need to be issued in Cabell County for up to 60 additional inpatient treatment beds dedicated to individuals 17 years of age or younger.

These bills passed the full Senate and were sent to the House of Delegates for consideration.

Afternoon Meetings:

Education at 1 p.m. in Room 451M

Government Organization at 1 p.m. in Room 208W

Health and Human Resources at 2 p.m. in Room 451M

Finance at 3 p.m. in Room 451M

Judiciary at 3 p.m. in Room 208W

Morning Meetings:

Transportation and Infrastructure at 9 a.m. in Room 451M

Workforce at 9 a.m. in Room 208W

The Senate is adjourned until tomorrow at 10 a.m.

The Senate Judiciary Committee met this afternoon and advanced several bills on firearms, polling locations, and child torture laws.

Senate Bill 986 would create a new criminal offense for child torture in West Virginia.

The bill defines child torture as a course of conduct that causes severe physical or emotional harm to a child under a caregiver’s supervision. Acts covered in the bill include inflicting extreme pain, depriving a child of necessities, subjecting a child to unsafe conditions or extreme temperatures, and other conduct that places a child at risk of serious injury.

Under the bill, anyone found guilty of child torture would face felony penalties, ranging from 1-5 years in prison if no bodily injury occurs, and 2-10 years if the child suffers bodily injury.

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

Senate Bill 481 would require precincts to be reported independently and update state law by changing the term “precinct” to “polling location.”

The bill would set standards for election boards, including poll clerks and election commissioners, and clarify mapping and reporting requirements for counties and the Secretary of State to support federal and state redistricting.

Senate Bill 1071 would establish the Public Defense and Provisions Act and establish a new state Office of Public Defense within the West Virginia State Police.

The office would be authorized to acquire and transfer machine guns to qualified residents who pass a background check. The firearms would be similar to those used by law enforcement or the military.

The state and its employees would not be liable for the actions of individuals who legally obtain these machine guns.

The bill sets rules for record-keeping, transfer fees, and the operation of the office.

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

Senate Bill 963 would require a full court hearing before someone can be barred from having guns under a protective order. The hearing must include the respondent, their lawyer, and clear evidence that they pose an immediate danger.

The bill allows the respondent an automatic appeal if their firearms are restricted. All other parts of the protective order, such as banning abuse, harassment, stalking, or threats, would stay in effect.

The gun restrictions may only be applied when the court finds convincing evidence of immediate danger to the petitioner and cannot be used for punitive purposes.

A witness testified in opposition to the bill, expressing concern for those in domestic violence situations, specifically the petitioner. She noted that a large share of women in the U.S. are killed by current or former partners, highlighting the risks involved when firearms are restricted under protective orders.

Following a discussion, the bill was reported to the full Senate with a recommendation of passage.

Senate Bill 686 would allow coal operators to mine land if 75 percent or more, agree. Owners who do not agree would still get paid their fair share, and operators are protected from legal trouble if the mining is done legally. The bill also safeguards miners and surface land rights.

If some owners can’t be found, the money owed to them goes into a special state fund managed by the Treasurer. The fund pays claims, and after seven years, surface owners can claim future rights, nut not past payments, so mining can continue smoothly while protecting missing owners.

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

Senate Bill 182 would allow municipalities to expand their boundaries through a process called “minor boundary adjustment,” which is a streamlined method for annexation. Under this bill, a municipality can apply to the county commission for permission to annex territory, provided the annexation does not increase the total municipal boundary by more than 105 percent or the current area by more than 120 percent.

The legislation also introduces specific conditions for annexing streets or highways, allowing for annexation of a street or highway along with at least one property owner (freeholder), or a street or highway alone if it’s essential for emergency services and no freeholder is involved.

The application process requires detailed information, including consent from affected residents and businesses, a map of the territory, and a plan for providing public services. The county commission would review the application, considering factors like contiguity, impact on services, and the overall best interest of the county, before making a decision, with provisions for public hearings and appeals to the circuit court.

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