HR 13 West Virginia House of Delegates · 2026 Regular Session

Proposing approval of United States H.R. 5966, Ohio River Restoration Program Act.

House Resolution 13 is a West Virginia legislative resolution endorsing federal legislation (H.R. 5966), which would create the Ohio River Basin Restoration Program. If enacted, the program would fund projects to improve water quality, restore fish habitats, enhance flood resiliency, and expand recreational access across the Ohio River basin. It directly affects West Virginia residents who rely on the river for drinking water (700,000 people), economic activity, and recreation along its 277-mile border. The resolution clarifies the program would be non-regulatory, not creating new permits or legal claims, and aims to deliver clean water and economic benefits to communities in the Ohio River watershed.

Issues: ✓ Environment

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Feb 2026

House of Delegates Passage

Feb 2026

Senate Passage

Governor

Introduced Feb 10, 2026 Last action Feb 27, 2026

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What changed between versions

Introduced Version → hr13 sub1 · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was updated from an introduced draft to a committee substitute, refining the legislative text for clarity and precision. Key changes include correcting the spelling of 'fish and aquatic life,' updating the river's description to mention the Allegheny River, and strengthening the language regarding environmental stewardship and resilience. These edits ensure the resolution accurately reflects the bill's intent and provides a clearer basis for West Virginia's support of the federal restoration program.

TECHNICAL

Corrected the spelling of 'fish and aquatic wildlife' to 'fish and aquatic life' in the summary of benefits.

Updated the description of the Ohio River's origin to include the convergence of both the Monongahela and Allegheny rivers.

Changed the directive to the Clerk to forward the resolution to 'each member' of the Congressional Delegation rather than the delegation as a whole.

REQUIREMENT

Expanded the resolution's language to explicitly recognize West Virginia's 'necessary interest in maintaining stewardship' and added 'tangible environmental benefits' and 'increased community and environment resilience' to the list of benefits.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the House of Delegates by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Feb 27, 2026

Lower · Passed

Adopted by House (Voice vote)

lower

Feb 26, 2026

Lower · Passed

Be adopted

lower

Feb 18, 2026

Committee

To House Rules

lower

Feb 18, 2026

Lower · Passed

Be adopted, but first to Rules

lower

Feb 10, 2026

Committee

To House Energy and Public Works

lower

Feb 10, 2026

Introduced

Introduced in House

lower

1 primary · 10 co-sponsors