HB 4305 authorizes the West Virginia Board of Osteopathic Medicine to formally adopt a specific legislative rule (24 CSR 02) governing osteopathic physician assistants. This rule, previously filed and modified after review by the Legislative Rule-Making Review Committee, establishes standards for these healthcare professionals. The bill directly affects osteopathic physician assistants and the Board by legally confirming the rule’s implementation without creating new policy. It is a procedural measure to finalize an existing rule, not a substantive policy change.
HB 4314 authorizes the West Virginia Board of Pharmacy to adopt an official rule (15 CSR 19) governing inspections of pharmacies. This rule was previously drafted, modified after committee feedback, and submitted for approval. The bill directly affects pharmacies, which will be subject to inspections under this approved rule, without changing existing inspection standards. It is a procedural bill simply enabling the Board to implement an existing rule draft.
SB 196 updates the minimum liability insurance requirements that county boards of education must maintain to qualify for limited immunity when school property is used for community activities. It mandates $1 million in coverage per incident for bodily injury or property damage, plus $5 million in excess coverage, with all insurance required to be provided by a West Virginia-licensed company. Organizations using school property for community events must obtain this insurance (either privately or through the State Board of Risk and Insurance Management), which covers claims from negligence and includes attorney fees and court costs. The bill also clarifies that political advocacy groups are excluded from the definition of qualifying organizations.
HB 4363 allows the use of camera systems to enforce speed limits in active road construction zones on West Virginia public highways. It authorizes the state highway commissioner to set work zone speed limits and permits "work zone speed control systems" (cameras) as an exception to general bans on photo enforcement devices. The bill requires drivers to obey speed limits in work zones and specifies that cameras can only be used to assist law enforcement with speed enforcement, not for general traffic monitoring. It also sets rules for camera operation, including machine function restrictions and lawful use conditions. This directly affects drivers traveling through active highway construction sites and highway authorities managing work zone safety.
This bill allows classroom teachers who joined the West Virginia Teachers Retirement System on or after July 1, 2015, to sell up to 10 unused personal leave days to their county school board for a cash payment. Teachers would receive 80% of the rate paid to a substitute teacher with a bachelor's degree and 10 years of experience for each day sold, with payment required by June 30. Once sold, the leave days are forfeited and cannot be used for future absences.
HB 4312 authorizes West Virginia's Board of Pharmacy to promulgate a legislative rule regarding pharmacy permits, specifically referencing the existing "15 CSR 15" rule filed in the State Register. The bill formally approves a rule the Board modified in response to legislative committee feedback, which was refiled in October 2025. This procedural authorization allows the Board to implement specific permit requirements for pharmacies without requiring new legislative action for each rule change. The rule directly affects pharmacies seeking or maintaining permits in West Virginia.
HB 4298 authorizes West Virginia's Board of Occupational Therapy to establish rules about continuing education requirements for licensed occupational therapists. The bill specifically approves a previously filed rule (13 CSR 04) that sets standards for therapists to maintain their competence through ongoing education. This affects licensed occupational therapists in West Virginia who must comply with these education requirements to keep their licenses active. The bill does not create new rules but formally authorizes the existing rulemaking action.
HB 4270 authorizes West Virginia's Department of Agriculture to create and enforce rules governing specific plant-based derivatives and products derived from hemp and kratom. The bill formally approves an existing proposed rule (61 CSR 30) that the department had previously filed and revised to address legislative committee feedback. This procedural bill does not create new restrictions but enables the department to regulate these products through official rulemaking. It directly affects businesses producing or selling hemp/kratom derivatives in West Virginia by establishing regulatory standards.
HB 4273 authorizes the West Virginia Board of Architects to implement a specific rule (2 CSR 01) governing architect registration. This rule, which was modified after addressing concerns raised by the Legislative Rule-Making Review Committee, outlines requirements for registering as an architect in the state. The bill formally approves this administrative rule, ensuring it becomes effective without requiring new legislative action. It directly affects individuals seeking to practice architecture in West Virginia by establishing their registration process.
HB 5007 would create a state income tax exemption for West Virginia residents who pay for gym memberships at gyms located within the state. The bill allows taxpayers to reduce their taxable income by $60 per month, capped at $720 annually for gym membership costs. It directly affects individual taxpayers who maintain gym memberships at in-state facilities and would lower their state income tax liability. The policy change is limited to qualifying gym memberships purchased within West Virginia, with no additional eligibility requirements specified.
HB 5003 clarifies the process for emergency involuntary hospitalization in West Virginia, allowing authorized hospital physicians to temporarily hold individuals at risk of harming themselves or others if they are addicted or mentally ill. The bill requires physicians to file a formal petition within 72 hours to extend hospitalization beyond that period, with courts then scheduling a hearing. It specifies that individuals must be released within 72 hours unless a petition is filed, and outlines payment rules for hospitals treating uninsured patients through the Legislative Claims Commission. The law also protects medical staff from liability when acting in good faith under these procedures.
HB 4267 authorizes the West Virginia Department of Agriculture to implement a specific regulatory rule (61 CSR 11) governing public markets. This rule would directly affect farmers, vendors, and consumers who operate or use public markets across the state. The bill approves a previously modified rule that was revised to address concerns raised by the Legislative Rule-Making Review Committee. It does not create new market regulations but formally authorizes the existing rulemaking process. The change is procedural, allowing the Department to enforce consistent standards for public market operations.
