HB 5067 clarifies the Division of Administrative Services' role in managing federal grants for law enforcement. It allows the Director to directly partner with law enforcement agencies (like the State Police) to apply for and administer federal grants restricted to such agencies. The bill also removes a previous requirement for the Deputy Secretary to hear certain appeals, instead directing the Office of Administrative Hearings to handle appeals from the Governor’s Committee on Crime subcommittees. This affects how state agencies coordinate federal grant funding and process appeals related to law enforcement certification decisions. The changes streamline grant administration but do not create new law enforcement powers.
SB 950 repeals West Virginia Code §6-7-5, which previously governed mileage and expense reimbursements for judges. This bill directly affects judges by eliminating the existing rule for calculating travel costs related to their official duties. The key provision is the complete removal of the former statute, with no new mechanisms or allowances being introduced. The change is purely procedural, streamlining the legal framework without altering how judges are compensated for travel.
SB 977 creates a partial disability benefit for West Virginia emergency medical services (EMS) members who develop work-related injuries or illnesses that prevent them from performing all duties but do not cause total disability. It adds a provision allowing these members to receive 45% of their average monthly compensation (based on the previous 12 months) instead of the 90% offered for total disability. To qualify as partially disabled, a member must have a medical condition lasting at least 12 months that prevents them from performing EMS duties, though they may still work other jobs. If partially disabled, the benefit continues until age 60, at which point they transition to the standard retirement benefit under the Emergency Medical Services Retirement System.
SB 1060 amends West Virginia law to define "WV certified thoroughbred" horses and adjust eligibility for restricted races. It requires thoroughbreds to be registered with the West Virginia Thoroughbred Breeders Association and either foaled in West Virginia, sired by a WV sire, or registered as a yearling in WV. The bill increases the $1 million funding cap for restricted races held by racetracks that did not participate in the West Virginia Development Fund for four consecutive years before December 31, 1992. These changes directly affect West Virginia racetracks and thoroughbred horses seeking eligibility for restricted races under updated funding rules.
SB 947 requires the West Virginia State Registrar to provide free certified birth certificates to homeless individuals under 18. It defines homelessness as lacking a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence (including stays in shelters, temporary institutions, or non-residential places) and mandates the State Registrar to issue copies upon application and proof of homelessness. The bill also updates fee structures for other birth certificate copies, directing some fees to a Vital Statistics Improvement Fund. This policy change directly affects homeless minors in West Virginia seeking essential identification for services like school enrollment or healthcare.
This bill amends West Virginia's education code to redefine the term "long-term substitute" for public school personnel. The bill does not specify the new definition in the provided text, only stating it will amend §18A-1-1 to clarify this term. It affects school personnel categories, particularly those filling substitute teaching roles. The bill was introduced on February 23, 2026, and referred to education committees. (Note: The actual redefinition is not included in the provided bill text.)
SB 1053 creates a new "Unemployment Automation and Administration Fund" to modernize West Virginia's unemployment system. It requires employers to pay 7% of their quarterly unemployment tax contributions into this fund, with limits: deposits stop if the fund reaches $18 million in a year or if the Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund falls below $300 million. The fund will cover costs for upgrading the unemployment claims system, improving the job search platform, administrative expenses, and workforce development initiatives. This directly affects employers who pay unemployment taxes in West Virginia, redirecting a portion of their payments toward system improvements.
SB 952 transfers the Court Security Fund - used to enhance court security - from the Department of Military Affairs and Public Safety to the Supreme Court of Appeals. It reduces the Court Security Board's membership from seven to six members, designates the Supreme Court's administrative director as chair, and eliminates the requirement for the board to create legislative rules. The bill authorizes the Legislature to appropriate funds for the Supreme Court's administrative costs managing the fund, with those costs capped at three percent of the fund's balance or $30,000 annually under existing law.
SB 1026 creates a new criminal offense for disturbing lawful meetings, specifically increasing penalties when the disruption targets religious worship gatherings. It defines prohibited acts like obstructing meetings or making displays that outrage a group's sensibilities. Violations become a felony if committed to disrupt religious worship at tax-exempt places (including virtual meetings via video/teleconferencing), otherwise remaining a misdemeanor. The law directly affects individuals who interfere with religious services or gatherings, with enhanced penalties applying specifically to religious contexts. This is a policy change establishing concrete criminal penalties for targeted disruptions of religious activities.
This bill allows volunteer fire departments in West Virginia to submit their required audit documents electronically instead of on paper. It amends existing law to require the Legislative Auditor to accept electronic submissions for all financial review paperwork related to these departments. The change directly affects all volunteer fire companies that undergo mandatory financial reviews under state law. The bill does not alter the frequency, scope, or requirements of the audits themselves - only the method of document submission.
SB 741 expands the pilot program for involuntary commitment processes to include additional counties: Cabell, Berkeley, Hampshire, Morgan, Ohio, and Wood. The bill requires mental health centers in these counties to provide timely evaluations (in-person or via video) for potential commitment and explain the process to affected individuals. It also mandates quarterly audits of commitment applications to ensure clinical justification, with findings kept confidential. This bill directly affects mental health centers, courts, law enforcement, and individuals subject to involuntary commitment in the expanded counties.
SB 970 exempts volunteer fire departments and part-time volunteer fire departments from state regulations governing vehicle raffles, both in-person and online. The bill amends West Virginia Code sections related to motor vehicle licensing (§17A-6-1, §17A-6-1a) and fire department operations (§47-21A-2, §47-21A-8) to remove these departments from licensing and reporting requirements. This change allows volunteer fire departments to conduct vehicle raffles for fundraising without needing to comply with standard raffle regulations. The bill directly affects volunteer fire departments by reducing administrative barriers to fundraising activities.
