Environment (Water Quality)

passed · West Virginia · Senate Jan 20, 2026

SR 7: Proposing approval for Ohio River Restoration Program Act

This is a Senate Resolution (SR 7), not a bill with policy changes. It expresses the West Virginia Senate's support for H.R. 5966, a federal bill titled the "Ohio River Restoration Program Act." The resolution states that West Virginia (which has 277 miles of the Ohio River shoreline) will benefit from the proposed federal program. The resolution does not create any new laws or programs itself; it merely formally proposes approval of the federal H.R. 5966 bill, which aims to improve water quality, restore habitats, and enhance recreation along the Ohio River Basin. The resolution was adopted unanimously by the West Virginia Senate on January 20, 2026.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentSupports federal Ohio River restoration program aimed at improving water quality, a key environmental protection measure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Water Quality

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in committee · West Virginia · Senate Jan 16, 2026

SB 469: Requiring dredging of flood prone waterways

This bill requires West Virginia's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to identify waterways prone to flooding due to silt, sediment, or blockages near homes and businesses. The DEP must then coordinate with the Department of Highways to dredge and clear these waterways, including removing silt and other obstructions. The law specifically targets both navigable and non-navigable waterways that threaten residential, commercial, or infrastructure areas. It mandates that dredged material be hauled to appropriate sites and requires coordination to protect wildlife and prevent pollution during the process. This policy directly affects communities in flood-prone areas by mandating proactive waterway maintenance.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates DEP to remove silt/sediment pollution from waterways, directly addressing pollution control and environmental protection under DEP's jurisdiction.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill requires dredging to protect infrastructure from flood damage, explicitly coordinating with Department of Highways to clear waterways threatening transportation infrastructure.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Water Quality Wildlife

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 12, 2026

HB 4615: Relating to public drinking water storage tanks

HB 4615 establishes a 12-member Public Water System Supply Study Commission to review and report on water system infrastructure, source protection plans, contamination response, and funding options for public water systems. The commission, appointed with members from the Governor, water associations, health departments, and environmental groups, must submit annual reports to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance starting December 2014. The bill defines "aboveground water storage tanks" (over 1,320 gallons, primarily non-earthen, >90% above ground) but does not directly change tank regulations or require new infrastructure. It focuses on studying existing challenges rather than implementing immediate policy changes for water systems.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill creates commission to review water source protection, contamination response, and infrastructure funding, directly advancing environmental protection through oversight of public water systems.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Water Quality

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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

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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 · Senate Jan 29, 2026

SB 264: DEP rule relating to requirements governing water quality standards

SB 264 authorizes West Virginia's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to implement a revised rule for water quality standards under the Division of Water and Waste Management. The bill specifically approves a rule (47 CSR 02) that was modified after addressing objections from the Legislative Rule-Making Review Committee. This rule governs requirements for water quality standards, directly affecting entities regulated under DEP's water quality programs. The bill does not change the rule's content but formally authorizes the DEP to enforce it as revised.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentApproves revised water quality standards rule (47 CSR 02), enabling DEP to enforce environmental protection measures under state regulations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Waste Management Water Quality

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 15, 2026

HB 4035: Relating to providing a credit against the business and occupation tax imposed on coal-fired electric generating units to help off-set environmental compliance costs

HB 4035 provides a 35% tax credit against West Virginia's business and occupation tax for coal-fired electric power plants that spend on pollution control equipment. It directly affects coal-fired power plants operating in West Virginia (excluding those exempt from the tax), covering costs for installing, repairing, or maintaining equipment to meet environmental regulations like air/water pollution controls or carbon capture. The credit cannot reduce a plant's tax bill by more than 50% in a single year, and unused portions can be carried forward for up to five years. This bill aims to offset compliance costs while supporting continued operation of coal plants serving West Virginia residents.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides 35% tax credit against business tax for coal plants, directly reducing tax liability for environmental compliance costs under state tax code.95% confidence ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill provides tax credit to coal plants, directly supporting fossil fuel infrastructure over renewable energy transition, opposing clean energy advancement.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProvides tax credit for pollution control equipment to meet environmental regulations, directly reducing emissions and supporting compliance with air/water pollution controls.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Tax Credits Coal Water Quality

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