HB 4981 designates psychiatric hospitals treating exclusively civil and forensic patients (over 95% court-ordered civil/forensic cases from state custody) as "state-designated facilities" for Medicaid funding purposes. This change allows these specific hospitals to qualify for Medicaid reimbursement under federal rules, rather than being excluded as "state-designated" under current tax code. The bill amends tax provisions to ensure revenue collected from eligible hospitals (via a 0.75% tax on gross receipts) flows directly into a Medicaid funding account. It directly affects licensed psychiatric hospitals meeting the strict patient-mix criteria, enabling them to access Medicaid program funds they previously could not.
HB 4360 allows West Virginia's Supreme Court of Appeals to establish uniform pay scales for judicial support staff instead of using fixed salary amounts. It directly affects magistrate court clerks, magistrate assistants, and deputy clerks - positions currently paid $54,596 and $49,232 annually under statute. The bill replaces specific salary figures with a flexible pay scale managed by the Supreme Court's Administrative Director, while still permitting these staff to receive general state employee salary increases. This change aims to streamline compensation adjustments across judicial offices without altering job duties or eligibility for broader state pay adjustments.
This bill gives the West Virginia Secretary of State the authority to refer suspected election law violations to county prosecuting attorneys for investigation. When the Secretary of State identifies potential election fraud or irregularities, the county prosecutor must forward the matter to the West Virginia Prosecuting Attorneys Institute, which then appoints a special prosecutor to review the allegations. The special prosecutor must provide written updates to the Secretary of State within 60 days and every 60 days thereafter until a decision is made about whether to pursue criminal charges. The appointed special prosecutor serves without additional pay beyond reimbursement for travel and related expenses, and county commissions cover these allowable costs.
HB 4148 requires real estate salesperson license applicants in West Virginia to submit proof of U.S. citizenship or legal authorization to work in the United States. This directly affects individuals seeking to become real estate salespersons in the state. The bill amends §30-40-13 of the West Virginia Code to add this documentation requirement alongside existing education and exam standards. It does not change the education or exam requirements but adds a new verification step for applicants' immigration status. The law applies only to salesperson licenses, not other real estate professional licenses.
This House resolution formally recognizes President Donald J. Trump for various policies and actions that the West Virginia House of Delegates claims have benefited the state. The document highlights specific initiatives including regulatory reforms in the energy sector, tax relief measures, funding for rural healthcare, and programs aimed at reducing prescription drug costs and establishing investment accounts for newborns. It also cites border security improvements and drug control efforts as contributing factors to public safety and economic well-being. The resolution expresses appreciation for these actions and requests that the formal recognition be sent to the President.
This bill asks the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to study whether energy recovery and micro-hydropower technologies could be used in West Virginia's public water systems. The study would examine specific locations like pressure valves and discharge points where excess water energy is currently wasted, and evaluate technologies that could generate electricity without major construction or environmental harm. The committee would also analyze potential cost savings, review available funding sources, and consider regulatory requirements for such installations. If the study finds these technologies feasible, the committee would provide recommendations to the Legislature by December 1, 2026, to help reduce water system operating costs and potentially lower water rates for residents.
This bill asks the West Virginia Legislature to conduct a comprehensive study on how the state manages disaster recovery and flood resiliency funding, coordination, and case management. The study will examine whether the State Resiliency Office is effectively using available funds, coordinating with other agencies, and complying with state laws, while also analyzing how federal policy changes might impact West Virginia's ability to access disaster relief money. Additionally, the bill requests a feasibility study to determine if state emergency personnel should receive cross-training as disaster case managers to improve recovery efforts and reduce reliance on outside organizations. The findings will include recommendations for improving the state's disaster response system and may lead to changes in laws or budget allocations.
This legislative resolution asks the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to study ways to reduce water loss in public water systems across West Virginia. The study will examine strategies like leak detection, infrastructure upgrades, and performance-based incentives to help water systems save money and stabilize rates for customers. It specifically focuses on identifying systems with the highest water loss and exploring financing options such as special bonds and grant programs to fund improvements. The committee must report its findings and recommendations to the Legislature by December 1, 2026.
SB 1035 amends West Virginia's Judges' Retirement System to adjust contribution rates and benefit calculations for judges. It requires current and future judges to contribute 7% of salary (up to 10.5%) to the retirement fund, suspends court contributions until certain conditions are met, and retroactively treats post-2005 retirees as pre-2005 retirees for benefit purposes. The bill increases surviving spouse benefits for certain judges, removes limits on retirement benefit increases, and eliminates distinctions in calculating benefits for surviving spouses, dependents, and adjusted retirement amounts. These changes directly affect active judges, current retirees, and their dependents under the system.
SB 1024 (2026 West Virginia Senate Bill) allows county school boards to reverse decisions closing public schools for the upcoming school year, provided the reversal occurs by July 15. The bill requires county boards to vote by majority at a public meeting, document the decision in minutes, and notify state education officials. If reversed, the school remains open, and the board must restore staffing, student assignments, transportation, and budgets. This applies to any school closure decision made prior to July 15 and does not require boards to reverse closures or change existing closure procedures. The bill directly affects county school boards and the schools, students, families, and staff impacted by closure decisions.
SB 1044 requires the West Virginia Board of Education to create uniform graduation requirements for all public high school students. It mandates specific pathways - Academic (college-prep), Workforce, Career and Technical Education/Skilled Trades, and Military - and establishes standardized certificates of proficiency detailing each graduate's skills, readiness for employment, or college readiness. The bill directly affects all West Virginia public high schools and students by replacing inconsistent local requirements with state-mandated standards across these four pathways. It also requires schools to issue certificates of proficiency alongside diplomas, specifying the student's completed program of study and relevant skills.
SB 1077 (West Virginia Senate Bill 1077) prevents county school boards from reducing funding for vocational agriculture programs during the 2027 fiscal year below what they spent in the current fiscal year. It directly affects county boards of education across West Virginia by requiring them to maintain existing funding levels for these programs. The bill’s key provision, added as §18-5-55 to the state code, aims to protect these programs from budget cuts during fiscal year 2027. It does not create new programs or require universal student enrollment, but rather safeguards existing vocational agriculture funding. This is a procedural funding protection measure, not a new educational mandate.
