HB 5282 provides a supplemental appropriation of $2.6 million for Public Defender Corporations and $15 million for Appointed Counsel Fees from the unappropriated surplus balance in the State Fund, General Revenue, to the Public Defender Services budget for fiscal year 2026. This funding directly supports West Virginia's public defense system by allocating unused state funds to cover essential legal services for indigent defendants. The bill does not change existing laws but supplements the budget with specific, targeted amounts to ensure public defender operations continue without additional tax revenue.
Senate Bill 789 allocates additional funds from unappropriated balances to the West Virginia Department of Agriculture's Capital Improvements Fund (Fund 1413, Fiscal Year 2026). It increases specific budget items for capital projects, including $750,000 for repairs, $1.15 million for equipment, $490,000 for current expenses, $2.33 million for buildings, and $280,000 for other assets. The bill directly affects the Department of Agriculture's ability to fund ongoing capital improvement projects during the 2026 fiscal year. This is a procedural budget adjustment, not a new policy, using existing unspent funds to supplement existing appropriations.
SB 812 prohibits operating drones (unmanned aerial vehicles) above polling places or within 100 feet of a polling place entrance on election day. This law directly affects anyone flying drones near voting locations during elections, including recreational users, commercial operators, and others. Violating this prohibition is a misdemeanor punishable by fines up to $1,000 or up to one year in jail. The bill aims to prevent potential disruptions or security concerns at polling sites on election day.
This bill adds a $10 million supplemental appropriation to the Governor’s Office Civil Contingent Fund (fund 0105) for fiscal year 2026, specifically designated for "Flood Resiliency - Surplus." The funds will be transferred directly to the Flood Resiliency Trust Fund (fund 1070) as specified in the bill. It adjusts the state budget by reallocating an unappropriated surplus balance identified in the Governor’s budget document. This is a procedural budget amendment affecting state fund allocation, not a new policy or direct service for residents.
SB 808 regulates consumable hemp products in West Virginia by prohibiting smokable hemp products and synthetically derived cannabinoids. It requires manufacturers, distributors, and retailers to obtain licenses from the Alcohol Beverage Control Administration, mandates product testing for contaminants, and enforces strict labeling with health warnings and scannable safety data. The bill also bans sales to anyone under 21 (verified like alcohol sales) and imposes a 10% excise tax on retail sales (80% to state funds, 20% to localities). These provisions directly affect businesses selling hemp products, consumers purchasing them, and state/local revenue streams.
This bill increases civil penalties for political committees, candidates, or their treasurers who fail to file complete campaign finance reports or submit grossly inaccurate reports. For first violations, penalties rise from $10 per day to a maximum of $500; subsequent violations max out at $1,000 per report. The Secretary of State must first send written notice of the issue, allowing 7-10 days to fix the report before imposing fines, and may grant up to 14 additional days for good cause. It also allows payment plans and refers unpaid fines to debt collectors after 30 days.
SB 815 adds $1.5 million to the Department of Homeland Security's Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation (specifically its Correctional Units under Fund 0450) for equipment purchases during fiscal year 2026. This supplemental appropriation uses an unappropriated surplus balance identified in the Governor's budget document, rather than new funding. The bill directly affects the state's correctional facilities by providing funds for equipment replacement or upgrades. It is a procedural budget adjustment with no policy changes, solely reallocating existing surplus funds to a specific operational need.
SB 809 would reclassify cannabis and its natural/synthetic derivatives from West Virginia's strictest "Schedule I" (illegal with no medical use) to "Schedule III" (permitted for medical use under prescription). This change would directly affect medical cannabis patients and healthcare providers in West Virginia by allowing legally sanctioned medical use with a prescription. The bill amends state law to move cannabis out of Schedule I (which lists substances like heroin and fentanyl) and into Schedule III, where medical access is permitted. This represents a concrete policy shift toward legal medical cannabis use in the state.
HB 5029 extends the payment period for fees charged by county fire prevention units from 75 days to 180 days. It directly affects property owners or responsible parties who must pay for firefighting, rescue, or debris cleanup services provided by these units. The bill maintains the $1,500 cap for single incidents (except for hazardous materials or complex rescues), requires written itemized billing, and keeps the 90-day deadline for initiating court action if payment isn't received. This change provides more time for responsible parties to settle charges without altering fee limits or service requirements.
SB 810 establishes a Lung Cancer Prevention and Education Program within West Virginia's Bureau for Public Health to target underserved communities lacking access to screening. The bill provides grants to qualified organizations (like hospitals or clinics) to offer low-dose CT scans for early lung cancer detection, along with education and referral services. Eligible applicants must meet specific standards for quality screening, collaboration with healthcare providers, and outreach to underserved populations. The program requires annual reporting on services provided and outcomes, and it uses funding from the state's Rainy Day Fund to cover screening costs for qualifying residents.
HB 5070 requires real estate brokerage firms in West Virginia to pay realtors their earned commissions on open contracts when those realtors leave the firm to join another brokerage. Specifically, it amends the real estate license law to mandate that brokers must remit to the departing agent any compensation due from contracts signed while the agent was affiliated with that brokerage, upon receipt of the commission. This directly affects real estate agents who transition between brokerages and ensures they receive payment for work completed under prior contracts. The bill does not alter other licensing requirements or commission-sharing rules but focuses solely on ensuring fair payment for existing contracts during agent transitions.
SB 806 clarifies West Virginia's definition of "farm" or "farmland" for property tax purposes. It allows landowners or tenants to operate non-farming business activities (like agritourism or small retail) on qualifying farmland without losing its tax classification, as long as farming remains the primary and predominant use. The bill specifies that land cannot be considered "primarily for farming" if other commercial enterprises fundamentally alter the land's agricultural use. This directly affects farmers who diversify their operations but maintain farming as their main activity, ensuring they retain eligible tax treatment. The commissioner of agriculture will help determine if land qualifies under this definition.
