HB 5680 West Virginia House of Delegates · 2026 Regular Session

Relating to establishing a comprehensive regulatory sunset and zero-based review system.

HB 5680 establishes a system requiring all West Virginia state agency rules to automatically expire after set periods (2, 4, or 6 years) unless agencies prove their necessity. Agencies must justify renewal with "clear and convincing evidence" showing each rule is legally authorized, necessary for public safety, cost-effective, and not duplicative. This "zero-based review" shifts the burden of proof entirely to agencies, mandating they demonstrate benefits outweigh compliance costs and restrictions on businesses, citizens, and healthcare providers. The bill creates a new oversight commission and requires annual reductions in regulatory burdens, aiming to eliminate outdated or unnecessary rules without requiring legislative action for each repeal.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Feb 17, 2026 Last action Feb 17, 2026
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Full legislative history

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Total actions
4
Key actions
0
Committee
2
Feb 17, 2026
Committee
To House Government Organization
lower
Feb 17, 2026
Introduced
Introduced in House
lower
Feb 17, 2026
Committee
To Government Organization then Judiciary
lower
1 primary · 10 co-sponsors

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