SB 833 requires the West Virginia Secretary of State to notify individuals when they are the subject of an election law complaint. It mandates that these individuals submit a written response within 10 business days of receiving the notice. The bill directly affects people or entities named in election law complaints filed with the Secretary of State's office. The key mechanism establishes automatic notification and a strict 10-day response deadline for the complaint process.
This bill requires write-in candidates for most West Virginia elections to pay a filing fee when submitting their candidacy paperwork. It sets a 49-day deadline before elections for submitting the required certificate of announcement and exempts low-income individuals who qualify for fee waivers. The law affects anyone seeking office through write-in votes instead of appearing on the official ballot, with fees applying to all candidates except those meeting poverty-based waiver criteria.
HB 5356 modifies how students in the Mountaineer Challenge Academy are counted toward high school graduation rates for school accreditation purposes. The bill specifies that students who complete the academy program within five years of starting ninth grade will be counted as graduates for accountability metrics, provided this does not conflict with federal law. This change directly affects students enrolled in the Mountaineer Challenge Academy (a designated alternative education program) and the schools that report graduation rates. The key mechanism adjusts the state's calculation method for graduation rates, ensuring these students are included in accountability measures under specific completion timelines. The bill does not alter the academy's funding structure or operations, only the reporting criteria for school accreditation.
HB 5372 would amend West Virginia law to allow individuals aged 18 to 20 to carry concealed deadly weapons without a permit, currently only permitted for those 21 and older. The bill specifically targets sections of the code governing concealed carry penalties and exceptions, removing the permit requirement for this age group while maintaining existing exceptions (like carrying on personal property or during hunting). It directly affects West Virginia residents aged 18-20 who are not otherwise prohibited from firearm possession. The bill does not change open carry rules or other existing firearm regulations. This is a proposed policy change, as the bill is currently in committee review with no votes taken.
SB 839 would create a nonrefundable personal income tax credit for West Virginia election officials who serve at least half a day during an election. The credit would provide $100 per election, capped at $200 per tax year, and must be certified by the county commission to verify eligibility. Officials must submit this certification to the Tax Commission to claim the credit, which cannot be carried forward to future years. The bill also requires the Secretary of State to submit a biennial report on the credit’s cost-effectiveness.
HB 5332, the Agricultural Right to Repair Act, requires manufacturers of agricultural equipment (like tractors, combines, and sprayers) to provide farmers and independent repair shops with necessary repair documentation, parts, and tools on "fair and reasonable terms." The bill mandates that manufacturers offer these resources at costs equivalent to what they charge authorized repair providers, without forcing users to become authorized providers or register parts/tools. It specifically prohibits manufacturers from adding unnecessary restrictions or costs that would hinder independent repairs. This bill directly affects West Virginia farmers and local repair businesses by expanding their access to repair resources for farm equipment. The bill is currently in the introduction phase (filed February 9, 2026) and has not yet become law.
HB 5320, the "Welcome Act," aims to address West Virginia's housing shortage by changing how land is taxed during development. It allows property owners to keep their original tax classification for subdivided land until individual lots are sold, directly affecting homeowners and developers. The bill protects property owners' right to further subdivide land after initial sales, requires new parcels to include 24/7 access to a road (without mandating road construction), and limits local governments from imposing stricter road standards than the existing access road. These provisions apply to casual land divisions but not to formally recorded subdivisions with existing deed restrictions.
HB 5358 authorizes the West Virginia Commissioner of Highways to offer locality pay to Division of Highways employees working in specific areas where competitive wages are needed to recruit and retain staff. The bill allows employees in designated locations to receive an additional $10,000 annually on top of their regular salary, exceeding standard pay ranges for their position. This applies specifically to workers involved in state road projects, including planning, engineering, construction, maintenance, and traffic regulation. The commissioner must create a policy to implement this, but the bill does not guarantee funding or specify which areas will be designated.
SB 861 transfers responsibility for certifying DUI testing equipment and standards from the Bureau of Public Health to the West Virginia State Police Forensic Laboratory. The bill eliminates the Bureau's rule-making authority over DUI testing procedures and grants this authority to the State Police instead. It also updates technical requirements, including removing outdated references to urine testing, adding provisions for trained phlebotomists to draw blood, and correcting juvenile blood alcohol level standards. This change directly affects law enforcement officers administering DUI tests and the forensic process for blood/breath analysis in DUI cases.
SB 857 amends West Virginia law to limit a county's payment obligation for jail costs when an inmate is sentenced to time served (meaning the inmate has already completed their sentence). Currently, counties pay a daily fee for inmates held in state jails, but this bill would exclude the time already served from the county's payment responsibility. The bill directly affects counties that pay per diem costs for inmates, reducing their financial burden for inmates who have completed their sentence. This change ensures county payments align with the actual time an inmate was incarcerated.
SB 889 requires West Virginia schools to develop and implement cardiac emergency response plans for athletic activities and school grounds. It mandates annual staff training in CPR and AED use, informational meetings for parents about sudden cardiac arrest warning signs, and written parental acknowledgment of the plan before student athletic participation. The bill also sets specific protocols for students with syncope history, requiring medical clearance before returning to sports. These requirements apply directly to public and private K-12 schools and youth sports teams operating under school jurisdiction, focusing on preventing fatalities during cardiac emergencies. The law specifies AED placement, maintenance, and integration with local emergency services as part of school safety protocols.
SB 879 eliminates West Virginia's Herbert Henderson Office of Minority Affairs by repealing its statutory foundation (§5-26-1) and removing its director from state commissions. The bill transfers the office's remaining Minority Affairs Fund balance to the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Investment Fund, removes the director from the West Virginia Hope Scholarship Board, and substitutes a new appointee. It also directs renaming Building 3 of the State Capitol Complex after Herbert H. Henderson and creating commemorative signs for the building. These changes formally terminate the office's operations while preserving a symbolic tribute to its namesake.
