HB 5373 allows two or more charitable or public service organizations to hold joint raffles under specific conditions. It amends existing law to permit organizations with annual licenses to obtain one temporary "limited occasion" license for joint events, while non-annual license holders may receive up to three such licenses per year. The bill requires each participating organization to hold its own limited occasion license for the joint raffle, which is valid for up to six months. This change directly affects charitable groups seeking to collaborate on fundraising events without violating current raffle licensing restrictions.
SB 846 is a supplemental appropriation bill that adds $10,000,000 to the Department of Tourism’s fund 0293 (fiscal year 2026) for capital improvements. It specifically allocates funds under "Capital Outlay, Repairs and Equipment" for the Division of Culture and History (W.V. Code Chapter 29). The bill uses an unappropriated surplus balance identified in the Governor’s 2026 budget document. This funding directly supports tourism infrastructure projects managed by the Department of Tourism, without changing existing policy or creating new requirements.
This bill adds a $20 million supplemental appropriation to fund 0265 for the Department of Commerce's Division of Natural Resources, specifically for capital outlay, repairs, and equipment. It uses an unappropriated surplus balance from the State Fund, General Revenue, to fund existing capital projects without creating new programs or altering policy. The funding is designated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026, and directly affects the Division of Natural Resources' ability to maintain and upgrade infrastructure.
HB 5355 requires West Virginia public school districts to place any teaching position held by an uncertified individual up for public bidding every school year. This applies directly to school districts and teachers currently working without valid teaching certification. The bill mandates that such positions remain open for bid annually until filled by a certified educator, ensuring only qualified staff occupy teaching roles. It does not change certification requirements but adds a recurring annual bidding process for uncertified positions.
HB 5385 would repeal three specific sections of West Virginia's legal code (§55-2-1, §55-3-1, and §55-3-6) that currently govern adverse possession laws. Adverse possession allows someone to gain legal ownership of property by openly occupying it for a set period under certain conditions. This bill would remove these provisions from state law, directly affecting property owners and occupants who might have relied on or challenged adverse possession claims. The change would eliminate the legal framework for such claims, though it does not create new rules or specify alternative procedures.
HB 5333 allows patients in West Virginia hospitals to refuse having medical residents or medical students observe or perform their medical care. The bill requires hospitals to create and implement clear policies informing patients of this right before procedures. It directly affects all patients receiving care in participating hospitals, ensuring they can make decisions about who participates in their treatment. The law changes hospital procedures by mandating patient notification, not altering medical standards or care delivery.
HB 5360 would provide cost-of-living adjustments to certain retired public employees and teachers in West Virginia. Starting July 1, 2026, retirees aged 60+ who have received retirement payments for at least five years under the Public Employees Retirement System or Teachers Retirement System would automatically receive monthly adjustments equal to the annual increase in the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' consumer price index. This change directly affects eligible retirees by linking their annuity payments to inflation. The bill does not create new benefits but modifies existing retirement payments to help offset rising living costs. The proposal is currently under review by the House Finance Committee.
HB 5383, introduced in West Virginia's 2026 legislative session, requires real estate agents to disclose water and sewer utility rates to homebuyers at the point of sale or when a sales contract is finalized. This disclosure must be provided in writing as part of the standard real estate transaction process. The bill amends West Virginia's Real Estate License Act to add this specific requirement for all licensed real estate professionals, including brokers and salespersons. It directly affects homebuyers by providing transparent information about ongoing utility costs before purchasing a property.
SB 854 amends West Virginia's Charitable Funds Act to expand the Secretary of State's enforcement authority when investigating charitable organizations, professional fund-raisers, or solicitors. It grants the Secretary the power to administer oaths, issue subpoenas for witnesses and evidence, involve circuit courts to enforce subpoenas, and request legal assistance from the Attorney General. The bill does not create new penalties but clarifies existing enforcement mechanisms under §29-19-15 of the West Virginia Code. It directly affects entities required to comply with charitable solicitation regulations by strengthening oversight tools. The measure focuses on procedural improvements to investigations, not substantive policy changes.
HB 5362 would amend West Virginia's Hope Scholarship Program by establishing income limits for eligibility, requiring scholarship recipients to use public school testing resources, and restricting scholarship use to in-state schools. The bill would require the Board of Education to create rules for reimbursing counties when public schools provide services to scholarship students. It directly affects families applying for Hope Scholarships for their children attending public or private schools in West Virginia. The bill is currently in the early stages of the legislative process, having been introduced on February 9, 2026, and referred to the House Education committee.
HB 5342 clarifies when home purchasers in West Virginia can cancel a real estate contract if a seller fails to provide required resale disclosures. The bill mandates that sellers must give purchasers a certificate containing key financial and legal details about a property (like unpaid fees, insurance, and association rules) before closing. If the certificate isn't delivered by the contract ratification date, purchasers can cancel within three days (or a longer period specified in the contract). This directly affects buyers and sellers in condominiums, cooperatives, and other community property sales governed by association rules. The law amends West Virginia Code §36B-4-109 to standardize cancellation timelines and reduce disputes over missing disclosures.
HB 5349 requires West Virginia's Public Employees Insurance Agency (PEIA) and other health insurers to provide mental health, behavioral health, and substance use disorder coverage that is equally comprehensive as coverage for physical health conditions. It mandates specific protections, including annual screenings for depression and substance use, fair access to providers (like coverage for non-participating providers when needed), and clear denial notices explaining parity rights. The bill directly affects public employees covered by PEIA and all health insurance providers operating in West Virginia under state regulations. It also requires annual reporting on compliance and sets an effective date of June 1, 2026.
