The West Virginia House of Delegates amended and advanced several bills today.
House Bill 4600 would require all ballots for primary and general elections to be received by 8 p.m. on the day of the election.
In discussion and debate, several delegates spoke to the bill with concerns and comments.
In opposition, several delegates brought up examples of different groups that could possibly be harmed by this bill, including the elderly, the disabled, military personnel, and students. A majority of the debate, however, primarily focused on the military personnel.
Opposition also mentioned concerns about the reliability of the post office and the delivery of absentee ballots.
In favor of the bill, multiple delegates spoke to the process of how military ballots are handled and shared the idea that this bill is not disenfranchising people, but rather increasing voter confidence and setting a deadline that is sooner. This bill, according to those in favor, seeks to address possible issues from recent changes to the postal service.
After debate, the Bill passed to the Senate with a vote of 79 to 17.
House Bill 4198 would provide employers who use the E-Verify system protections from state prohibitions on hiring unauthorized workers.
In the floor session, a primary amendment was proposed by Delegates Bill Ridenour (R – Jefferson, 100) and Elias Coop-Gonzalez (R – Randolph, 067). Under the amendment, H.B. 4198 would require all employers to register for an E-Verify account. Once an employee, an employer shall employ a new employee until the new employee has been verified by E-Verify.
In addition, this bill would clarify that a fine of not less than $500 nor more than $2,500 for each offense would be issued each day someone violates this bill.
Two amendments to the primary amendment were passed in the House.
Delegate David Green’s (R – McDowell, 036) amendment clarifies technical problems with the bill. This amendment would help provide protection to small business owners and protect them from potential problems that could arise from the proposed bill.
Delegate Tristan Leavitt’s (R – Kanawha, 053) amendment changed the fine to be a fixed 500$ fine and added on second and third violations, businesses have an opportunity to receive a notice.
In debate of the amended amendment, many delegates spoke in opposition and in favor of the amendment.
Opposition to the amendment shared concerns about the amendment targeting the wrong people with these fines, the burdens that it could place on small businesses, and the original intention of this bill being lost in this amendment.
Those in favor of the bill stated that this bill would protect the state of West Virginia and its citizens by providing a “safe and secure state.” In addition, delegates stated this bill is updating our state to the current era we live in and preserving the culture of West Virginia.
After a long debate, the amendment to the H.B. 4198, as amended, passed the House with a vote of 48 to 46.
This bill was advanced to the Senate.
In addition to the passage of bills, House Bill 4012 was amended on second reading.
Delegates George Street (R – Preston, 083) and Mark Zatezalo’s (R – Hancock, 002) amendment was adopted.
This amendment would provide that the PSC, before issuing a certificate of public convenience for 200kv power lines or greater, must determine a benefit for the state and ratepayers. In addition, no portion of the cost of construction, operation, or maintenance of these lines will be put upon the ratepayers unless there is a benefit for the State and ratepayers.
Bills introduced can be found here.
Resolutions introduced can be found here.
Committee Meetings, Today February 10
- Sub. Com on Agriculture, Commerce, and Tourism at 3:45 p.m. in Room 432M
- Sub. Com on Banking and Insurance at 3:30 p.m. in Room 460M
- Sub. Com on Public Education at 3:30 p.m. in Room 215E
- Sub. Com on Educational Choice at 4:30 p.m. in Room 215E
- Energy and Public Works at 5 p.m. in Room 410M
- Sub. Com on Government Administration at 4:30 p.m. in Room 432M
- Health and Human Resources at 5:15 p.m. in Room 215E
Committee Meetings, Wednesday February 11
- Finance at 9 a.m. in Room 460M
- Judiciary at 9 a.m. in Room 410M
- Sub. Com on Courts at 9:45 a.m. in Room 410M
- Sub. Com on Homeland Security at 10 a.m. in Room 410M
- Sub. Com on Legal Services at 10:15 a.m. in Room 410M
- Education at 1 p.m. in Room 432M
- Sub. Com on Local Government at 1 p.m. in Room 215E
- Sub. Com on Public Health at 3 p.m. in Room 215E
- Energy and Public Works at 3 p.m. in Room 410M
- Sub. Com on Human Services at 4 p.m. in Room 215E
The House is adjourned until 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, February 11, 2026.Â
