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West Virginia Bills

Track legislation and stay informed about the bills that matter to you.

State Legislature US Congress
All 23,924 Active 613 In committee 20,029 Passed 3,434 Signed 2,811 Failed 143

Bill results

signed · West Virginia · Senate Jun 25, 2026

SB 481: Relating to elections

SB 481 changes the term "precinct" to "polling location" in West Virginia election law and requires each polling location to be reported independently. This means county election offices must track and report each voting site as a separate unit, including separate voting booths, ballot boxes, and election staff, even if multiple locations share the same building. The bill directly affects county election administrators and voters by clarifying how polling places are managed and documented. It updates outdated terminology while ensuring each voting site operates as a distinct entity during elections.
Jack Woodrum (R) · 1 co-sponsor
signed · West Virginia · Senate Jun 25, 2026

SB 586: Modifying requirements for public water systems

SB 586 classifies backflow prevention devices in public water systems as "low-hazard" (causing only aesthetic issues or minor water quality effects) or "high-hazard" (risking disease or chemical contamination). It requires annual inspections for high-hazard systems but limits low-hazard system inspections to once every three years. This affects all public water systems in West Virginia, particularly smaller providers with low-hazard systems, by reducing their inspection burden. The bill amends existing water safety regulations to clarify these inspection frequency requirements without changing safety standards for high-hazard systems.
Patrick Martin (R) · 1 co-sponsor
signed · West Virginia · Senate Jun 25, 2026

SB 137: Modifying parole eligibility for crime of second degree murder and voluntary manslaughter

SB 137 increases the minimum time inmates must serve before becoming eligible for parole for second-degree murder and voluntary manslaughter convictions in West Virginia. Specifically, it raises the parole eligibility minimum from 10 years to 15 years for second-degree murder (under §61-2-3) and from 3 years to 5 years for voluntary manslaughter (under §61-2-4). The bill also increases the minimum period for parole eligibility for those sentenced to life imprisonment. These changes directly affect individuals convicted of these specific violent crimes, requiring them to serve longer sentences before parole consideration.
Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases minimum parole eligibility (10→15 years for murder, 3→5 for manslaughter), making sentences harsher and opposing criminal justice reform trends that seek reduced incarceration.90% confidence
Vince Deeds (R)
signed · West Virginia · Senate Jun 25, 2026

SB 622: Extending mine safety technology tax credit

Senate Bill 622 extends the West Virginia Mine Safety Technology Tax Credit, allowing mining businesses to continue claiming a tax credit for investments in safety technology, from expiring at the end of 2025 to December 31, 2028. This credit directly affects mining companies in West Virginia that purchase or develop safety equipment, such as ventilation systems or monitoring devices, for their operations. The bill amends the existing tax credit law by changing the termination date to provide three additional years of financial incentives. Eligible businesses can now reduce their state tax liability for qualifying safety technology expenses made through 2028.
Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExtends tax credit for mining safety tech, providing tax relief to businesses and directly affecting state tax revenue through policy change.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExtends tax credit for mine safety tech investments, directly improving workplace safety standards for miners through required safety equipment like ventilation systems.90% confidence
Rupie Phillips (R) · 2 co-sponsors
signed · West Virginia · Senate Jun 25, 2026

SB 592: WV Short Line Railroad Modernization Act

SB 592 creates a tax credit program for West Virginia short line railroads and related infrastructure. It provides a 50% tax credit on qualified maintenance costs (capped at $5,000 per mile of track) and new infrastructure investments (capped at $2 million per project, with a $5 million annual limit). Eligible taxpayers include Class II/III railroads operating in West Virginia and owners/lessees of rail sidings or industrial spurs. Credits can be carried forward for up to five years or transferred to other taxpayers via written agreement. The bill directly supports rail infrastructure modernization by reducing costs for qualifying rail operators.
Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates tax credits for railroads, reducing tax liability for eligible entities through targeted fiscal incentives.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationCreates tax credits for rail infrastructure maintenance and new projects, directly funding transportation modernization within the topic's scope.95% confidence
Darren Thorne (R) · 11 co-sponsors
signed · West Virginia · Senate Jun 25, 2026

SB 1: Small Business Growth Act

SB 1, the Small Business Growth Act, creates a new tax credit program administered by the West Virginia Department of Commerce to incentivize investment in small businesses. It provides insurance companies with a credit against their state premium tax equal to 15% of qualifying capital investments made by certified "growth funds" into eligible West Virginia businesses. Eligible businesses must have fewer than 250 employees and principal operations in the state, and investments are limited to 20% of a growth fund's capital authority or $7.5 million per business. The credit is claimed annually based on certified investments, with the program requiring annual reporting and prohibiting certain investment types.
Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates tax credit reducing insurance companies' premium tax liability (15% of qualifying investments) to incentivize small business growth, directly advancing tax policy for economic development.95% confidence
Randy Smith (R) · 17 co-sponsors
signed · West Virginia · Senate Jun 25, 2026

SB 531: Establishing First Amendment Preservation Act

West Virginia's SB 531, the First Amendment Preservation Act, prohibits state agencies from entering contracts with media monitoring organizations that rate news sources for factual accuracy, bias, or adherence to journalistic standards. It directly affects all state departments, institutions of higher education using state funds, and companies bidding for state advertising contracts. The bill requires contractors to provide written certifications confirming they do not use such media monitoring services, and clarifies that contracts for aggregating news or tracking ad performance are still permitted. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, for all new or renewed state contracts.
Mike Azinger (R) · 10 co-sponsors
signed · West Virginia · Senate Jun 25, 2026

SB 194: Updating definition of "disabled veteran taxpayer"

SB 194 updates the definition of "disabled veteran taxpayer" in West Virginia's property tax law to clarify eligibility for the disabled veteran real property tax credit. The bill specifies that a qualifying veteran must have a 90% or greater service-connected disability rating from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) or meet VA eligibility for individual unemployability due to service-related injuries since September 11, 2001. This change directly affects veterans seeking the property tax credit, ensuring only those with the required VA determinations qualify. The bill does not alter the tax credit amount or eligibility for other benefits, focusing solely on refining the definition for administrative clarity.
Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesClarifies eligibility for disabled veteran property tax credit, providing tax relief to qualifying veterans under state tax law.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill clarifies eligibility for disabled veteran property tax credit by expanding qualifying criteria to include 90%+ VA disability rating or VA unemployability, directly strengthening veterans' tax benefits.95% confidence
Ryan Weld (R) · 6 co-sponsors
signed · West Virginia · Senate Jun 25, 2026

SB 603: Relating to Property Valuation Training and Procedures Commission

SB 603 amends West Virginia’s Property Valuation Training and Procedures Commission structure by requiring one citizen member to have a demonstrated background in agriculture (effective after the 2026 legislative session). It clarifies that county assessors nominated for the commission must meet standards approved by the commission, with preference given to those certified or licensed by recognized appraisal organizations. The bill also specifies that nominations for assessors and county commissioners must include candidates from diverse political parties (no more than two from the same party). This directly affects commission membership composition and the selection process for county assessors who serve on the panel.
Darren Thorne (R) · 2 co-sponsors
signed · West Virginia · Senate Jun 25, 2026

SB 490: Approving short-term training programs for eligibility for federal Workforce Pell Grants

This bill establishes a process for determining which short-term workforce training programs in West Virginia qualify for federal Workforce Pell Grants. It directs the West Virginia Workforce Development Board to assess programs against federal criteria, define key terms, and require reporting from institutions offering eligible programs. The bill directly affects short-term training providers (like vocational courses or certifications) seeking federal funding to help workers access career-focused education. It creates a state-level mechanism to align local programs with federal grant requirements without changing the federal Pell Grant program itself. The summary focuses solely on the eligibility process, as described in the bill's provisions (§5B-12-1 through §5B-12-6).
Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEnables short-term workforce training programs to access federal Pell Grants, expanding educational access for career-focused training through funding eligibility.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill enables federal funding for short-term workforce training programs, directly supporting worker access to career-focused education and employment opportunities through Pell Grants.95% confidence
Patricia Rucker (R) · 3 co-sponsors
signed · West Virginia · Senate Jun 25, 2026

SB 207: Clarifying sheriff's compensation for collection of taxes

This bill clarifies that county commissions - not sheriffs - determine if sheriffs have collected 85% of property taxes to qualify for a $15,000 annual commission. It specifies that this commission, paid from tax funds, becomes part of the sheriff’s regular compensation. The bill directly affects sheriffs (who receive the commission) and county commissions (which now oversee eligibility). It amends existing law to remove ambiguity about who assesses the 85% collection threshold.
Ryan Weld (R) · 1 co-sponsor
signed · West Virginia · Senate Jun 25, 2026

SB 648: Strategic and Critical Resources Act

SB 648, titled the "Strategic and Critical Resources Act," defines specific minerals (like lithium, cobalt, uranium, and others vital for national security) and establishes statewide regulations for their extraction. It prevents local governments from restricting or regulating extraction activities or facility development outside urban areas, reserving this authority for the state and federal governments. The bill also prohibits foreign adversaries (as defined by federal law) from owning, controlling, or operating facilities related to these resources. It explicitly states that federal environmental and health laws remain fully applicable, and does not affect standard business licenses or taxes. This bill directly affects mining companies, local governments, and foreign entities seeking to develop these critical resources in West Virginia.
Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill facilitates extraction of energy-critical minerals (lithium, cobalt, uranium) for renewables/nuclear, removing local barriers to support energy infrastructure development.92% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill prohibits local governments from regulating extraction of critical minerals, removing potential environmental safeguards and prioritizing resource development over local environmental protections.85% confidence
Robbie Morris (R) · 15 co-sponsors
Showing 229 to 240 of 20,029 bills
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