Environment

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 14, 2026

HB 4214: Relating to authorizing the Department of Environmental Protection to promulgate a legislative rule relating to carbon dioxide sequestration fee schedule.

HB 4214 authorizes West Virginia's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to implement a specific fee schedule for carbon dioxide sequestration projects. The bill formally approves a legislative rule (47 CSR 09B) that the DEP previously developed and modified to address legislative committee concerns. This rule establishes fees for companies using carbon dioxide sequestration (a method of capturing and storing CO2 emissions underground). The policy directly affects businesses engaged in carbon sequestration projects within West Virginia by requiring them to pay these standardized fees. The bill does not create new fees but authorizes the DEP to enforce the existing fee schedule.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAuthorizes fees for CO2 sequestration, enabling emission reduction technology and supporting climate goals through structured regulatory framework.90% confidence

Track

in committee · West Virginia · Senate Jan 29, 2026

SB 260: DEP rule relating to control of air pollution from hazardous waste treatment, storage, and disposal facilities

Senate Bill 260 authorizes the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to implement a rule (45 CSR 25) that controls air pollution from hazardous waste treatment, storage, and disposal facilities. This rule, filed in the State Register on July 23, 2025, establishes specific air pollution standards for facilities handling hazardous waste. The bill directly affects hazardous waste facilities in West Virginia by requiring them to comply with these new emission controls. The rule itself, not the bill, defines the exact pollution limits and compliance procedures.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEstablishes new air pollution standards for hazardous waste facilities, requiring emission controls to strengthen environmental regulations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality Hazardous Materials

Track

in committee · West Virginia · Senate Jan 15, 2026

SB 266: Department of Health rule relating to water well regulations

SB 266 amends West Virginia law to authorize the Department of Health to update its water well regulations (64 CSR 19), directly affecting well drillers, pump installers, and property owners who rely on private wells. The bill establishes certification requirements for professionals, mandates permits for well construction, and sets design standards to protect groundwater and public health. It replaces the 1989 version of these regulations with updated provisions, including a sunset clause terminating the rule on August 1, 2028. The changes aim to standardize well construction practices and prevent contamination in private water sources.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentUpdates water well regulations to protect groundwater via certification, permits, and design standards, strengthening environmental safeguards for public health.90% confidence

Track

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 14, 2026

HB 4333: Relating to authorizing the Division of Natural Resources to promulgate a legislative rule relating to special migratory game bird hunting.

HB 4333 authorizes West Virginia's Division of Natural Resources to implement a specific rule (58 CSR 56) governing special migratory game bird hunting. This rule, previously filed in the State Register on March 31, 2025, sets regulations for hunting seasons, bag limits, and methods for migratory birds like ducks and geese. The bill legally authorizes the rule to take effect by amending state code, making it enforceable. It directly affects hunters of migratory game birds in West Virginia by establishing the regulatory framework for their activities.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill authorizes hunting regulations for migratory birds, a standard conservation measure to prevent overharvesting and ensure sustainable populations.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Wildlife

Track

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 14, 2026

HB 4209: Relating to authorizing the Department of Environmental Protection to promulgate a legislative rule relating to control of air pollution from hazardous waste treatment, storage, and disposal facilities.

HB 4209 authorizes West Virginia's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to implement a specific air pollution control rule (45 CSR 25) for hazardous waste treatment, storage, and disposal facilities. The bill formally approves a legislative rule that was previously filed in the State Register (July 23, 2025), requiring these facilities to comply with new air pollution standards. This rule directly affects hazardous waste facilities across West Virginia by mandating controls on air emissions from their operations. The bill itself is procedural, simply granting legal authority to the DEP's existing proposed rule without creating new requirements.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAuthorizes DEP to enforce new air pollution standards for hazardous waste facilities, requiring emission controls to protect air quality and public health.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality Hazardous Materials

Track

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 14, 2026

HB 4213: Relating to authorizing the Department of Environmental Protection to promulgate a legislative rule relating to requirements governing water quality standards.

HB 4213 authorizes West Virginia's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to finalize and implement a specific water quality standards rule (47 CSR 02) after revisions to address legislative committee feedback. The rule, originally filed in 2025 and modified following objections, directly affects the DEP's Division of Water and Waste Management, which will use it to regulate water quality standards. This bill does not change the standards themselves but formally approves the rulemaking process for existing water quality requirements. It ensures the rule meets legal requirements after review by the Legislative Rule-Making Review Committee.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAuthorizes DEP to implement water quality standards rule, enabling enforcement of environmental protections without weakening standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Waste Management Water Quality

Track

in committee · West Virginia · Senate Jan 19, 2026

SB 487: West Virginia Trails, Access, and Stewardship Act

SB 487 creates the West Virginia Trails, Access, and Stewardship Act to establish a coordinated statewide system of non-motorized trails (hiking, biking, equestrian, water trails, and ADA-accessible segments). It forms the West Virginia Trail Authority to set uniform standards for trail development, safety, wildlife protection, and emergency response, while creating a dedicated Trail Maintenance and Stewardship Fund for long-term upkeep. The bill directly affects state agencies, trail users, landowners (by prioritizing voluntary agreements over eminent domain for trail corridors), and communities through economic development opportunities. Key provisions include mandating statewide signage, mapping, flood management protocols, and clarifying that existing whitewater outfitter regulations remain unchanged.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExplicitly establishes wildlife protection standards for trail development and creates a dedicated fund for conservation maintenance, directly advancing environmental stewardship.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationCreates statewide non-motorized trail system and dedicated fund, promoting sustainable transportation infrastructure and safety standards.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Parks & Recreation Public Lands

Track

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 14, 2026

HB 4207: Relating to authorizing the Department of Environmental Protection to promulgate a legislative rule relating to standards of performance for new stationary sources.

HB 4207 authorizes West Virginia's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to establish and enforce specific emission standards for new stationary sources, such as factories or power plants. The bill formalizes the DEP's existing authority to create a regulatory rule (identified as 45 CSR 16) that sets performance requirements for these facilities. This rule would directly affect new industrial construction projects by requiring compliance with updated environmental standards. The bill does not create new standards itself but legally permits the DEP to implement the previously proposed rule. The measure is procedural, focusing on regulatory authorization rather than altering environmental policy.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAuthorizes DEP to enforce updated emission standards for new industrial sources, requiring compliance with stricter environmental regulations to reduce pollution from power plants/factories.95% confidence

Track

signed · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jun 29, 2026

HB 4696: Authorize the Department of Environmental Protection to deposit funds granted pursuant to federal programs

HB 4696 authorizes West Virginia's Department of Environmental Protection to deposit federal grant funds - specifically from programs like the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the Safeguarding Treatment for the Restoration of Ecosystems from Abandoned Mines Act - into the state's existing Abandoned Land Reclamation Fund. This bill modifies state law to allow these federal funds to be added to the fund, which is used for cleaning up environmental damage from past coal mining, including restoring land, treating water pollution from mine drainage, and sealing abandoned mine sites. The bill does not change how the funds are spent but clarifies where they must be deposited. It directly affects communities impacted by historical mining, particularly those dealing with water quality and land degradation.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAuthorizes federal funds for environmental cleanup of abandoned mines, directly advancing restoration efforts under reclamation programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 20, 2026

HB 4560: Move marina gas tax proceeds to DNR Law enforcement division

HB 4560 redirects the gas tax collected from fuel sold at marinas and boat docks in West Virginia to the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (DNR) Law Enforcement Division. The bill amends state law to require that these specific tax proceeds - currently part of the motor fuel excise tax - must now be allocated solely to the DNR Law Enforcement Division. This change does not create a new tax but shifts existing revenue from its current allocation to fund natural resource enforcement activities. The primary effect is providing the DNR Law Enforcement Division with a dedicated funding source from marina and boat dock fuel sales.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects existing gas tax revenue to fund DNR Law Enforcement, advancing fiscal allocation for natural resource enforcement within state budget management.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRedirects existing marina gas tax revenue to DNR Law Enforcement for natural resource protection, strengthening environmental enforcement funding without new taxes.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax

Track