306 Bills completed legislative action (153 House Bills, 153 Senate Bills)
2777 Bills were introduced (1693 House Bills, 1084 Senate Bills)
Senate Bill 819 provides nearly $4.9 million in surplus funds to William R. Sharpe Jr. Hospital under the Department of Health Facilities. The additional funding is designated for current expenses, helping the hospital manage operational expenses through the end of the fiscal year.
Senate Bill 820 adds $5 million in surplus funds to the Department of Administration, Office of Secretary, to cover current expenses. This increase provides additional flexibility for the office’s operations through the end of the fiscal year.
Senate Bill 821 adds $21 million to the Board of Risk and Insurance Management’s Premium Tax Savings Fund. This directed transfer is set to move into the Public Entity Insurance Trust Fund, strengthening state insurance resources and helping cover risks for public entities.
Senate Bill 823 allocates an additional $750,000 to the Alcohol Beverage Control Administration for current expenses, giving the department extra resources to manage operations and regulatory responsibilities effectively.
Senate Bill 825 provides a significant funding boost to West Virginia’s Public Defender Services. It adds $2.6 million for Public Defender Corporations and $15 million for Appointed Counsel Fees, giving the state’s legal aid system extra resources to support defense services for those who cannot afford private attorneys.
Senate Bill 826 boosts funding for West Virginia’s State Parks and Recreation Endowment Fund under the Department of Commerce, Division of Natural Resources. It adds $25,000 for current expenses and a substantial $6.5 million for other assets, providing resources to maintain and improve state parks and recreational facilities across West Virginia.
Senate Bill 827 increases funding across multiple bureaus within the Department of Health and Human Services’ Bureau for Social Services. It boosts appropriations for the Office of the Commissioners, Child Protective Services case workers, Social Services Case Workers, Adult Protective Services case workers. The added funds support personal services, employee benefits, and general social service, strengthening the department’s ability to deliver critical social support programs statewide.
Senate Bill 828 increases funding in the Department of Human Services’ Health Care Provider Tax – Medical State Share Fund. The bill adds $174.48 million for medical services and $268,451 for administrative costs, ensuring the state can cover Medicaid obligations and support healthcare providers.
Senate Bill 830 provides new appropriations from the State Fund, General Revenue, to support social services in West Virginia. It adds $7.77 million to the Bureau for Social Services Adoption, $19.69 million for Foster Care, and $1 million for Adult Services, strengthening resources for children and families across the state.
Senate Bill 831 reallocates $200,000 in federal funds within the Department of Human Services’ Community Mental Health Services, shifting money from the Federal Coronavirus Pandemic account to support personal services and employee benefits for staff.
Senate Bill 840 supplements the Department of Human Services, Division of Human Services budget for fiscal year 2026 by adding $449,429 for CHIP services and $422,562 for CHIP administrative costs from the State Fund, General Revenue. The funding comes from an unappropriated surplus balance, making resources immediately available to support both program operations and the delivery of health services to children.
Senate Bill 841 adds a new appropriation of $16,977,752 from the Lottery Net Profits to the State Board of Education for the Hope Scholarship Program in fiscal year 2026.
Senate Bill 843 provides a supplementary appropriation of $330,00 to the Department of Health; The Vital Statistics Account for fiscal year 2026. The funding is directed to personal services and employee benefits, supporting the personnel who manage the state’s vital records, including birth and death certificates.
Senate Bill 844 provides a supplementary appropriation of federal funds to the Department of Human Services (DHS) for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026. The DHS will receive a total of over $1.37 billion in federal funds for medical services, alongside $37 million for administrative costs related these services.
Senate Bill 845 reallocates funds within the Governor’s Office, Civil Contingent Fund to better manage the state’s unappropriated surplus. There is $15 million from the 2023 Civil Contingency Fund that expired to the unappropriated surplus balance of the State Fund, General Revenue. These funds were then appropriated to the 2026 Civil Contingent Fund, ensuring the Governor’s Office has resources available to respond to emergencies and unforeseen state needs during the fiscal year.
Senate Bill 848 includes several key provisions designed to empower banks and financial institutions to take proactive measures when they suspect financial exploitation. These tools include the ability to delay transactions and report suspicious activities to the appropriate authorities.
Senate Bill 852 updates the schedule of fees collected by the Secretary of State for business filings and related services. Updated fees for domestic and foreign corporations, LLCs, partnerships, trusts and voluntary associations, covering incorporation, amendments, mergers, dissolutions, certificates, and filings.
Senate Bill 862 repeals the Addiction Treatment Pilot Program, which is no longer in operation. The program, previously overseen by the Department of Military Affairs and Public Safety, provided a framework for pilot efforts in treating drug addiction and required annual reporting on its progress.
Senate Bill 868 increases appropriations for Claims Against the State in fiscal year 2026.
Due to the rise in claims resulting from an expedited process established in previous bills, the following funding is approved:
- General Revenue: $1,100,000
- Special Revenue Funds: $250,000
- State Road Funds: $964,750
This ensures that individuals and entities with legitimate claims against the state are properly compensated, reflecting the state’s commitment to addressing legal obligations in a timely manner.
Senate Bill 871 provides a supplemental appropriation from the State Excess Lottery Revenue Fund to the State Board of Education. For fiscal year 2026, the bill adds $12,664,710 specifically to the Hope Scholarship Program, ensuring continued funding for students across the state.
Senate Bill 874 provides a supplementary appropriation from the State Fund, General Revenue, to the Department of Human Services and Division of Human Services. The bill increases funding for fiscal year 2026 with a total of $5,476,573 allocated as follows:
- $1,630,466 for personal services and employee benefits.
- $3,846,107 for current expenses.
Senate Bill 875 provides a supplementary appropriation of federal funds to the Department of Commerce and Division of Forestry. The bill allocates a total of $500,000 in federal funds for fiscal year 2026, split evenly between
- $250,000 for personal services and employee benefits.
- $250,000 for current expenses.
Senate Bill 878 establishes a new Office of Entrepreneurship within the Secretary of State’s office, effective July 1, 2026. The office is designed to help startups, scale-ups, and entrepreneurs navigate government requirements, access resources, and overcome barriers to growth.
Senate Bill 886 mandates that children be informed of their rights in an appropriate age manner and provides them with a written copy of these rights in their primary language. This legislation aims to empower foster children by ensuring they understand their rights and can advocate for themselves.
Senate Bill 890 changes the minimum public school employment term from 200 days to 1,600 hours; and convert other public school calendar provisions from days or months to hours. The time is designated by the county board for employees to use for preparation for opening school.
Nonpublic schools can deliver instructions through alternative methods that count toward up to 25 hours of instructional time when schools are closed due to inclement weather or other unforeseen circumstances. The hours of instruction count towards the 900-hour instructional time requirement.
Senate Bill 897 creates a new statewide licensure and certification system for alcohol and drug counselors. Anyone practicing counseling in the field must be licensed or certified unless they fall under certain exemptions such as healthcare providers, students, or state-employed rehab counselors.
Senate Bill 899 allows teachers with 15 years of experience at the elementary, middle, or high school level to be certified as principals at the same level for which they have taught for a minimum of 15 years.
Senate Bill 906 allows the lawful prescription, distribution, and marketing of certain psilocybin-based medications in West Virginia if they are approved at the federal level.
This bill creates an exception to that classification. If a pharmaceutical product containing crystalline polymorph psilocybin is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and rescheduled by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), it will legally be prescribed, distributed, and marketed in West Virginia.
Senate Bill 913 removes the annual report requirement for the WV Research Trust Fund.
Senate Bill 916 allows accounting corporations in West Virginia to use “A.C.” as a name ending.
Senate Bill 944 allows certain federal officers like the FBI, DEA, Secret Services, ICE, VA Police, military law enforcement, and National Park/Forest Service officers to enforce West Virginia laws in limited situations including but not limited to:
When requested by state/local agencies, during emergencies, or if a felony occurs in their presence.
Park and Forest Service officers can act independently on federal lands.
They aren’t state employees but have the same authority and liability protections as local officers.
Senate Bill 945 lets the West Virginia Adjutant General pay military authority employees retroactively if federal funds come in after a government shutdown, furlough, or similar event. Employees remain at will, covered by state benefits, and positions depend on available federal or state funding.
Senate Bill 947 requires West Virginia to provide a certified birth certificate free of charge to homeless individuals under 18, while keeping standard fees for others capped at $10-$12. It also maintains and funds the Vital Statistics Account and Improvement Fund to modernize the state’s vital records system.
Senate Bill 950 repeals the section that allowed judges to claim mileage and expenses, so judges will no longer be reimbursed under §6-7-5.
Senate Bill 952 moves the Court Security Fund from the Department of Military Affairs and Public Safety to the Supreme Court of Appeals. It updates oversight by creating a six-member Court Security Board chaired by the court’s administrative director and eliminates prior legislative rule-making requirements. The fund is dedicated to court security improvements, with a cap on administrative expenses of $30,000 per fiscal year, and any surplus can be redirected by legislative appropriation.
Senate Bill 970 exempts volunteer and part-volunteer fire departments from certain vehicle sale regulations. Fire departments that hold a valid charitable or online raffle license and raffle no more than four vehicles per month are not considered unlicensed dealers or automobile brokers, protecting them from penalties that would otherwise apply to vehicle sales.
Senate Bill 977 expands the Emergency Medical Services Retirement Act to provide benefits for both total and partial duty-related disabilities. EMS members who are totally disabled receive 90 percent of their average monthly pay until 65, while those partially disabled receive 45 percent until age 60, after which standard retirement benefits apply.
Partial disability is defined as a medically determinable impairment that limits the member’s ability to perform EMS duties for at least 12 months, though they may still work elsewhere. Benefits begin the month after employment ends and the disability application is submitted.
Senate Bill 982 establishes the Neighborhood Access Road Program to improve public roads providing access to residential neighborhoods, especially in rural areas.
Administrated by the Division of Highways, the program funds reconstruction or upgrades to public roads connecting neighborhoods to the state road system. Projects must serve at least 20 residential units, and funds cannot be used for private, gated, or commercial roads, driveways, or routine maintenance.
Each project is limited to $750,000 per fiscal year, and annual reporting is required on approved projects, expenditures, and long-term impacts. The program will sunset after three years unless reauthorized.
Senate Bill 985 creates a regulatory system for Kratom in West Virginia. Kratom is defined as the natural leaf of the tropical tree Mitragyna speciosa, containing the alkaloids mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine.
Anyone selling kratom must verify buyers are at least 21 and make unpermitted sales, sales to minors, or contaminated products criminal offenses with fines and possible jail time. The Department of Agriculture can track registrations, inspections, and violations using a software system and notify the Tax Department of any issues.
Senate Bill 997 allows certain staff at former state-run hospitals to start collecting their Public Employees Retirement benefits early, at age 55, and counts them as retired for health insurance purposes. Tier 1 employees can also apply unused sick leave days towards extra retirement services.
Senate Bill 1008 changes the statute of limitations for asbestos and silica claims, clarifying when a lawsuit can be filed.
The bill specifies that claims begin when a person is diagnosed, discovers facts prompting a diagnosis, or dies from a related condition, distinguishes noncancerous and cancer-related claims as separate actions, and sets limits on suing manufacturers of mining equipment based on federal specifications.
Senate Bill 1011 strengthens financial oversight and accountability for West Virginia’s volunteer fire companies. Each company will undergo a financial review at least once every five years, while allowing additional audits if there is reason to suspect mismanagement, misuse, or waste of funds.
The bill permits the submission of audit documents electronically, provided that adequate security measures are in place to safeguard the integrity of the financial data.
Senate Bill 1026 makes intentionally disrupting a religious service, whether in person or online, a felony, while disruptions of other lawful meetings remain misdemeanors.
The bill defines disruption to include any act that interferes with the service or any gesture, display, or statement that outrages the congregation’s sensibilities, and it specifically covers disruptions at tax-exempt places of worship as well as virtual services conducted via video or teleconference.
Senate Bill 1033 allows the Commissioner of Agriculture to register, inspect, and regulate apiaries, bee equipment, and measures against honeybee pests. The commissioner will inform beekeepers and anyone who manages bees and apiaries in West Virginia on beekeeping, while cooperating with other states and federal agencies.
The bill limits when legal actions can be brought against agriculture operations, protecting farms from nuisance claims if they comply with state and federal regulations and follow commonly accepted agriculture practices.
Senate Bill 1038 provides a 15 percent across-the-board salary increase to certain administrative law judges employed by West Virginia’s Board of Review.
Administrative Law Judges act as both judges and jury as an independent official in the executive branch. They preside over formal hearings, resolving disputes between government agencies and individuals or entities, taking testimony, rule on evidence, and issue initial decisions. Employees holding the positions of Administrative Law Judge 1 and Administrative Law Judge 2 will receive the pay adjustment.
Senate Bill 1042 updates ventilation rules for underground coal mines in West Virginia. The bill specifies the following:
- Areas where coal is being cut, drilled, blasted, or loaded must get at least 3,000 cubic feet of air per minute.
- The last open crosscut in a section must get at least 9,000 cubic feet per minute, or more if needed to clear harmful gases.
- Mines must use line brattice, overcasts, undercasts, and bleeder openings to control airflow.
- Crosscuts, airlocks, and ventilation devices must be maintained, flame resistant, and properly installed.
- MSHA-approved ventilation plans automatically count as state-approved plans.
Senate Bill 1043 adds additional funds to the Department of Agriculture’s Agriculture Fees fund for fiscal year 2026.
- $200,000 for personal services and employee benefits
- $2,800,000 for current expenses
- $1,000,000 for other assets
Senate Bill 1053 establishes an Unemployment Automation and Administration Fund aimed at modernizing West Virginia’s unemployment compensation and workforce systems. Seven percent of employer unemployment contributions will be redirected into the new fund beginning July 1, 2026. The remaining portion of employer contributions will continue going into the Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund.
Senate Bill 1059 requires that agreements between solid waste motor carriers (trash hauling companies) and commercial customers must be in writing and follow the rules set by the Public Service Commission. These contracts can last more than one year.
Senate Bill 1060 establishes a West Virginia certification for thoroughbred horses. To be a West Virginia certified thoroughbred, the horse must be registered with the West Virginia Thoroughbred Breeds Association, prior to its three-year-old year and have finished six consecutive months of verifiable residence in the state.
Senate Bill 1064 changes state law to clarify the definition of a “long-term substitute” in public schools. It states that a substitute who fills a position for more than 30 consecutive instructional days is considered a long-term substitute and must have the appropriate teaching credentials required by the state.
Long-term substitute positions only must be posted twice a year at the beginning and middle of the school year. Retired employees filling a vacancy are not considered long-term substitutes for state employee insurance benefit purposes.
