SB 981 West Virginia Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Imposing one-year moratorium on approval of certain public utility rate increases

SB 981 imposes a one-year pause (July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027) on the Public Service Commission approving new rate increases for electric, natural gas, and water utilities serving residential, commercial, and industrial customers in West Virginia. It allows the Commission to reduce rates, disallow costs, or approve refunds during this period but prohibits new rate hikes. The bill requires a comprehensive study of methods to lower utility rates and mandates a report on findings and recommendations. This directly affects utilities and their customers by temporarily halting rate increases while evaluating long-term affordability solutions.

Issues: ✓ Housing

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Feb 18, 2026 Last action Mar 4, 2026

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What changed between versions

Introduced Version → Committee Substitute · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to change the moratorium from a mandatory requirement to a recommendation, allowing the Public Service Commission more flexibility. Several sponsors were added to the bill, and the moratorium period was extended to include wastewater utilities. The report deadline was moved from December 2026 to February 2027.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to include wastewater utilities in addition to electric, natural gas, and water utilities. The mandatory nature of the moratorium was changed to a recommendation, giving the commission more discretion.

REQUIREMENT

Changed the moratorium from a mandatory requirement to a recommendation, allowing the Public Service Commission more flexibility in implementation.

SCOPE

Added wastewater utilities to the list of utilities covered by the moratorium and study requirements.

TIMELINE

Extended the report deadline from December 1, 2026 to February 1, 2027.

DEFINITION

Added four additional bill sponsors (Senators Roberts, Taylor, Thorne, Bartlett, and M. Maynard) to the bill authorship.

TECHNICAL

Changed several instances of 'shall' to 'is recommended' or 'could' throughout the bill text to reflect the shift from mandatory to advisory language.

Floor votes

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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 4, 2026

Upper · Passed

Removed from calendar by Rules Committee

upper

Feb 26, 2026

Upper · Passed

Committee substitute reported

upper

Feb 18, 2026

Introduced

Introduced in Senate

upper

Feb 18, 2026

Committee

To Government Organization

upper

1 primary · 5 co-sponsors