HB 4983 West Virginia House of Delegates · 2026 Regular Session

Authorizing the Department of Commerce to promulgate a legislative rule relating to certification of a microgrid district or certification as a high impact data center

HB 4983 authorizes the West Virginia Department of Commerce to implement a legislative rule for certifying microgrid districts and high impact data centers. The rule, which was drafted and modified after review by the Legislative Rule-Making Review Committee, establishes a formal process for businesses and communities to seek these certifications. This rule directly affects developers of microgrids (localized energy systems) and data centers meeting high impact criteria by setting clear certification standards. The bill does not alter the rule's content but officially authorizes its use as a regulatory tool.

Issues: ✓ Energy

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Mar 2026

House of Delegates Passage

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Mar 2026

Signed into Law

Jun 2026

Introduced Jan 30, 2026 Signed Jun 29, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 4 comparisons

What changed between versions

hb4983 s jud am _1 adopted.htm → hb4983 s jud amt adopted.htm · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill text was updated to reflect a new title that clearly outlines its purpose: authorizing the Department of Commerce to issue rules for tourism districts, microgrid districts, and high-impact data centers. The specific legislative rule dates were changed from October 2024 to January 2026, indicating a timeline adjustment or update to the rules being authorized. A minor technical amendment was added to allow water access in microgrid districts.

Scope change

The bill's scope is now explicitly defined in the new title to cover three specific areas: tourism development districts, microgrid districts, and high-impact data centers, while the authorized rule dates were shifted forward by over a year.

TIMELINE

The date for the authorized legislative rule regarding the Department of Commerce was changed from October 8, 2024, to January 12, 2026.

SCOPE

A new title was added to the bill to explicitly list the agencies and specific rules being authorized, including tourism districts, microgrid districts, and high-impact data centers.

REQUIREMENT

An amendment was added to the microgrid district rule to permit the 'access of water' in addition to water use.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 11, 2026 · House of Delegates Feb 17, 2026

How they voted

27–6

Passed

Total votes 33

Mar 11, 2026

D Democratic2

1 Yea 1 Nay

50% Nay

R Republican31

26 Yea 5 Nay

83% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Mar 30, 2026

Signed into law

Approved by Governor 3/27/2026

lower

Mar 14, 2026

Signed into law

Approved by Governor 3/27/2026 - Senate Journal

upper

Mar 14, 2026

Signed into law

Approved by Governor 3/27/2026 - House Journal

lower

Mar 13, 2026

Lower · Passed

House concurred in Senate amendment and passed bill (Roll No. 500)

lower

Mar 11, 2026

Upper · Passed

Passed Senate with amended title (Roll No. 464)

upper

Mar 10, 2026

Upper · Passed

Committee amendment adopted (Voice vote)

upper

Mar 6, 2026

Upper · Passed

Reported do pass, with amendment and title amendment

upper

Feb 19, 2026

Committee

To Judiciary

upper

Feb 19, 2026

Introduced

Introduced in Senate

upper

Feb 17, 2026

Lower · Passed

Passed House (Roll No. 108)

lower

Feb 16, 2026

Amended

Amendment rejected (Roll No. 100)

lower

Feb 16, 2026

Amended

Amendment rejected (Roll No. 99)

lower

Feb 16, 2026

Introduced

Amendment reported by the Clerk

lower

Feb 12, 2026

Lower · Passed

Do pass

lower

Jan 30, 2026

Committee

To House Energy and Public Works

lower

Jan 30, 2026

Introduced

Introduced in House

lower

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors