SB 25 creates the West Virginia Coal Marketing Program and a dedicated state fund to support the coal industry. The program, administered by the Governor, uses registration fees from "Friends of Coal" vehicle plates to fund projects that protect coal markets, assist communities impacted by coal market changes, and educate the public about coal's economic role and modern practices. Key provisions include using funds for promotional campaigns highlighting coal's importance to West Virginia's identity, economy, and energy reliability, as well as addressing challenges in coal-dependent communities. Unspent funds carry over annually, and the Governor must report yearly on funded projects to the legislature. This bill directly affects state government operations, coal industry stakeholders, and communities facing economic shifts due to the coal sector.
HB 5009 clarifies zoning rules in West Virginia by redefining "use" to include only domestic activities, farming, or on-site water use (e.g., water drawn from land for local use), excluding commercial bottling, storage, or transport of water outside the state. It ensures existing agricultural, industrial, or manufacturing operations can continue using land or structures without new zoning restrictions, and allows property owners to maintain nonconforming uses (like farms) for one year after vacancy unless proven abandoned. The bill specifically prevents zoning ordinances from restricting natural resource use or farm operations on owned land, but exempts commercial water extraction in karst terrain counties from this protection. It applies to all municipalities and counties adopting zoning ordinances under state law.
HB 4296 authorizes the Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy Technology Board of Examiners to promulgate a legislative rule (18 CSR 05) establishing ethics standards for medical imaging and radiation therapy technologists. This rule was previously drafted by the board, modified to address legislative committee feedback, and refilled in the State Register. The bill does not change the rule's content but formally grants the board authority to implement it.
HB 4322 authorizes the West Virginia Board of Social Work to implement a specific fee schedule (25 CSR 03) that was already proposed in the State Register on July 25, 2025. The bill formally approves this existing rule, which directly affects social work licensees who pay fees to the Board. It does not create new fees or change existing requirements but provides statutory backing for the Board’s previously filed fee schedule rule. This is a procedural measure to confirm the rule’s validity under state law.
HB 4319 authorizes the West Virginia Real Estate Commission to implement a specific rule (174 CSR 01) governing licensing requirements for real estate brokers, associate brokers, and salespersons, as well as standards for brokerage business conduct. This rule, developed and modified to address legislative concerns, establishes clear guidelines for professional licensing and ethical operations in the real estate industry. The bill directly affects real estate professionals and brokerage businesses by formalizing these standards under state law. It does not create new rules but authorizes an existing, reviewed rule to become effective.
HB 4306 authorizes the West Virginia Board of Osteopathic Medicine to establish a rule (24 CSR 09) allowing osteopathic physicians to obtain temporary practice permits during declared states of emergency or preparedness. This rule would directly affect osteopathic doctors by enabling them to provide care without meeting all standard licensing requirements during crises. The bill formalizes a rule previously filed in the State Register on March 27, 2025, creating a streamlined process for emergency permits. The key mechanism is the authorization of this specific rule to address healthcare workforce gaps during emergencies.
SB 424, the Affordable Electricity and Economic Growth Act of 2026, would amend West Virginia law to streamline regulations for coal-based electricity generation and coke production (used in steelmaking) by requiring state agencies to simplify permitting processes. The bill directs the Department of Economic Development to lead efforts in promoting these industries, with the goal of leveraging the state's metallurgical coal resources to boost economic growth. It states that developing these sectors would improve economic opportunities, stabilize electricity prices, and strengthen West Virginia's competitiveness with neighboring states. The legislation aims to address regulatory barriers that have hindered coal-related projects compared to other states.
HB 5000 prohibits public school employees from using school resources (like facilities, equipment, or time during work hours) for election advocacy or political activities. It specifically bans school staff from engaging in political activity while on duty or acting on behalf of the school administration. The bill directly affects all public school employees in West Virginia, restricting their political conduct during work hours and preventing the use of school assets for election-related efforts. This is a policy restriction, not a new program or funding measure.
HB 4289 authorizes the West Virginia Board of Funeral Service Examiners to implement a specific regulatory rule (6 CSR 01) governing funeral service professionals. The rule covers requirements for funeral directors, embalmers, apprentices, courtesy card holders, and funeral establishments. This is a procedural bill that formally approves an existing rule the board developed and revised, rather than creating new policy or changing current standards. It directly affects funeral service professionals and businesses regulated under this rule.
HB 4272 authorizes the West Virginia Department of Agriculture to implement an existing regulatory rule (61 CSR 40) concerning exempted dairy farms and milk processing. The bill formally approves a previously developed rule that was modified to address legislative committee concerns, specifically governing how certain small-scale dairy operations and milk product processing are regulated. This is a procedural authorization, not a new policy change, and directly affects dairy farms classified as "exempted" under the rule.
HB 4291 authorizes the West Virginia Board of Landscape Architects to create a rule allowing certain individuals to apply for a waiver of initial licensing fees. This bill directly affects new landscape architecture license applicants who may qualify for fee relief under the proposed rule. The key mechanism is enabling the Board to establish specific criteria and application procedures for these fee waivers through a formal legislative rule. The bill itself does not set the waiver criteria but provides the legal authority for the Board to develop them. (This is a procedural bill; no new fees or policies are created by the bill itself.)
HB 4985, the "Strategic and Critical Resources Act," defines specific minerals (like lithium, cobalt, and rare earth elements) as critical to West Virginia's security and economy. It prohibits local governments outside cities from regulating the extraction of these resources or the development of related facilities, preempting local ordinances. The bill also restricts foreign adversaries (entities designated by federal law) from owning or controlling land used for extracting these resources. Importantly, the law does not override federal environmental regulations or state building codes, and it aligns with existing federal restrictions on foreign ownership.
