SB 715 requires West Virginia state agencies and appointing authorities to give first consideration to U.S. military veterans and retired or disabled law enforcement officers during the hiring process for state positions. The bill amends the state's civil service law (§29-6-7) to mandate that these candidates be prioritized in the initial review of job applicants. This policy change applies to all state agency hiring decisions, meaning these groups will be evaluated before others in the selection process. The bill does not guarantee employment but ensures these applicants receive preferential treatment during the early stages of hiring.
This bill establishes licensing requirements for radon testers, radon mitigation specialists, radon mitigation contractors, and radon laboratories in West Virginia. It mandates that individuals must hold a license to perform radon testing, provide radon-related advice, or supervise mitigation work, and businesses must have a license to offer mitigation services or operate a radon lab, with limited exemptions for self-testing on owned properties or research. The bill adds a definition for "Radon Resistant New Construction" (RRNC) and requires licensed professionals to be used when building RRNC homes. Additionally, it directs the Commissioner of the Bureau for Health to conduct inspections of radon mitigation systems.
SB 1065 consolidates over 20 alcohol-related licenses into streamlined categories, eliminating fees for brewpubs, grocery store curbside sales, and private venues like restaurants and hotels. It removes outdated requirements (e.g., two-year operational periods for clubs) and allows distilleries to self-distribute liquor within market zones without extra fees. The bill replaces obsolete licenses - such as private golf clubs, wedding venues, and hotel bars - with a new "private venue" license covering restaurants, spas, bed-and-breakfasts, and event spaces. Key changes include eliminating nonintoxicating beer growler fees and permitting limited free sampling for retailers.
HB 5521 establishes new licensing, examination, and conduct requirements for public adjusters in West Virginia. It defines a "public adjuster" as someone who negotiates insurance claims for policyholders (not insurance companies) and sets standards for their qualifications, including fingerprinting and certification of automated claims systems. The bill also creates specific contract rules between public adjusters and insured clients. These changes directly affect public adjusters seeking to work in the state and the insured individuals who hire them. The law aims to clarify regulations for this category of adjusters while addressing gaps during insurance emergencies.
This bill requires vape and smoke shops in West Virginia to obtain a state license before operating. It directly affects businesses that sell vaping products, tobacco, and related accessories, defining "vape or smoke shop" as establishments devoting at least 33% of floor space to these products. Key provisions include banning shops from operating as residences, prohibiting the sale of certain vapor products, and imposing fines up to $10,000 or jail time for unlicensed operation. The law establishes licensing fees, enforcement by the Alcohol Beverage Control Commissioner, and reporting requirements for compliance.
SB 929, the "Taxpayer Transparency in Education Act," requires West Virginia county school boards to publish detailed annual financial statements within 120 days of each fiscal year. These statements must disclose all expenditures over $250 to individuals or firms, debts, school personnel pay, and budget estimates, either as legal ads or on public websites. County boards failing to submit these reports within 90 days face a State Auditor noncompliance notice, and after 60 days of noncompliance, they lose access to discretionary state education funds. The bill directly affects all 55 county school boards by mandating greater financial transparency for taxpayers.
HB 5059 allows West Virginia museums, libraries, archives, and historical societies to claim legal ownership of specific items they hold, following defined notice procedures. For property on long-term loan (including expired loans), institutions can claim title after notifying the lender and waiting 60 days if no response is received. For items without clear ownership records ("undocumented property"), institutions must hold the items for three years plus 60 days of notice before claiming title. Similarly, items found on institution property ("unsolicited donations") can be claimed after 60 days of notice to potential owners. The bill requires specific written notices detailing the property and claiming process.
SB 1012 amends West Virginia law to permit the development of 60 additional inpatient substance use disorder treatment beds specifically for youth aged 17 or younger in Cabell County. The bill modifies certificate of need requirements that previously restricted new beds in counties with over 250 existing substance abuse treatment beds, making an exception for Cabell County's juvenile beds. This policy change directly affects minors in Cabell County seeking inpatient treatment for substance use disorders by removing a regulatory barrier to expanding specialized care. The provision is limited to inpatient treatment beds exclusively for individuals 17 years or younger.
HB 5351 modernizes how counties collect fees from emergency communication service users to cover enhanced 911 systems and address conversion costs. It allows county commissions to impose a single fee per physical address (residential, commercial, or business location) regardless of technology used, including VoIP services for in-state subscribers. The fee must cover system upgrades, city-style addressing conversions, and operational costs, but cannot be charged multiple times for different services at the same location. This update ensures fee collection aligns with modern communication technologies while maintaining transparency for users.
HB 5629 updates West Virginia's Unclaimed Property Act to extend the time nursing homes must wait before reporting abandoned resident funds to 180 days (from 30 days) after a resident's death. It requires safety deposit boxes and other depositories to deliver contents to the State Treasurer within specific timeframes, clarifies claim filing processes, and prohibits finders from claiming property immediately. The bill also allows the Treasurer to waive reciprocal claim forms with other states and clarifies that estate executors must liquidate personal property before transferring proceeds. These changes primarily affect nursing homes, financial institutions holding unclaimed property, and the State Treasurer's office.
SB 583 creates a free, honorific "emeritus physician license" for retired physicians, podiatric physicians, and physician assistants in West Virginia who have fully retired from clinical practice after at least 10 years of active practice in the state, with no current disciplinary issues. The license allows no clinical practice, exempts holders from continuing education requirements, and remains valid for life unless the holder returns to active practice or the board revokes it. It explicitly prohibits using the emeritus status to obtain licenses in other states or to reactivate active practice. The bill establishes application criteria and revocation grounds, including proof of voluntary retirement and absence of pending investigations.
SJR 11 proposes a constitutional amendment to increase West Virginia's homestead exemption from $20,000 to $25,000 for qualifying homeowners. It would exempt the first $25,000 of assessed value on primary residences owned by residents aged 65+ or permanently disabled. The amendment requires voter approval in the 2026 general election to take effect. This change would directly affect eligible homeowners by reducing their property tax burden on their primary residence. The bill is a constitutional proposal, not an immediate law, and must be ratified by voters.
