Environment (Water Quality)

introduced · West Virginia · Senate Jan 19, 2026

SB 475: Relating to legislative rules regarding chemicals of emerging concern

Senate Bill 475 establishes rules for West Virginia state agencies regulating "chemicals of emerging concern" (like PFAS, microplastics, and nanomaterials). It prevents state rules from being stricter than existing federal standards for these chemicals, and requires any new state rules (where no federal standard exists) to be based on "best available science" and "weight of scientific evidence." The bill defines key terms like "best available science" to ensure regulations rely on reliable, peer-reviewed studies showing a direct link between chemical exposure and actual health harm. This directly affects state environmental and health agencies responsible for setting limits on water quality, air pollution, and hazardous materials.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill explicitly prevents West Virginia from enacting stricter environmental regulations than federal standards for chemicals like PFAS, weakening state-level protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality Drinking Water Water Quality

Track

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

HB 4516: Enacting Water Quality Improvement Programs In Counties By Conservation Districts

HB 4516 would allow West Virginia conservation districts to partially reimburse property owners for septic tank maintenance or repairs to improve local water quality. The bill defines "Cooperators" as any property owner with a septic tank (regardless of whether the property is agricultural or non-agricultural) and establishes a process for these reimbursements. It requires that funding be allocated to cover the costs of these programs. This bill directly affects property owners with septic systems in counties served by conservation districts.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentReimburses septic tank repairs to improve water quality, directly reducing pollution and protecting local water resources.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Water Quality

Track

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 30, 2026

HB 5008: Relating to a State Water Resources Management Plan

HB 5008 requires the West Virginia secretary to develop a State Water Resources Management Plan by November 30, 2013, in collaboration with state agencies, local governments, and large water users. The plan must include detailed assessments of surface and groundwater resources, inventories of large water withdrawals (including location and usage), and evaluations of water conflicts, shortages, and infrastructure needs. It also mandates identifying critical water planning areas where demand exceeds supply and assessing conservation opportunities, public water supply capabilities, and flood management challenges. This bill directly affects state water management agencies and large water users across West Virginia.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires water management plan with resource assessments, promoting proactive environmental protection through planning and resource evaluation.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Drinking Water Water Quality

Track

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

Track

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

Track

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

Track

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 29, 2026

HB 4949: Relating to Legislative Rules regarding chemicals of emerging concern

HB 4949 establishes rules for West Virginia's regulation of "chemicals of emerging concern," including PFAS (like PFOS/PFOA), microplastics, nanomaterials, and other substances posing potential environmental or health risks. The bill prohibits state rules on these chemicals from being stricter than existing federal standards for the same topic. If no federal rule exists, state regulations must be based on "best available science" and the "weight of scientific evidence," requiring a direct link between chemical exposure and proven human harm (not just risk). This applies to areas like drinking water, air quality, hazardous waste, and contaminated site cleanup, affecting state agencies developing environmental regulations.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentProhibits stricter state regulations than federal standards for chemicals like PFAS, limiting environmental protections and preventing stronger state action.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Hazardous Materials Water Quality

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

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

Track