Environment

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 16, 2026

HB 5590: Create a limited and predictable water-quantity review framework for High Impact Data Centers (HIDCs) in West Virginia.

HB 5590 requires certified high impact data centers (HIDCs) in West Virginia to disclose anticipated water usage before construction and submit projected withdrawal volumes to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The bill limits DEP review to water quantity only, denying approval only if withdrawals would reduce water supply below levels needed to meet existing lawful demands (e.g., public water systems, agriculture, or other users) during droughts. HIDCs must also report actual annual water usage, comparing it to projections, and may use existing reports to satisfy this requirement. The bill explicitly states it does not create new permitting, expand water quality regulations, or apply to power plants or microgrids.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates water usage disclosure for data centers and prohibits withdrawals that harm existing water demands during droughts, promoting water resource conservation and protecting natural resources without weakening environmental standards.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 3, 2026

HB 5135: Establish Food Waste Task Force

HB 5135 establishes a 12-member Food Waste Task Force within West Virginia's Department of Health to study and recommend ways to reduce food waste across the state. The task force, including representatives from state health, agriculture, and the legislature, along with public advocates, will examine specific strategies like preventing waste, increasing food donations, changing cosmetic standards for produce, and modifying "best by" date labels. It must submit a report with recommendations to the Governor and Legislature within one year of forming. This bill creates a study group focused on identifying practical solutions, without implementing new laws or regulations itself.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentReducing food waste decreases landfill methane emissions and conserves resources, aligning with environmental protection goals through waste prevention strategies.95% confidence

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in committee · West Virginia · Senate Feb 21, 2026

SB 1057: Authorizing green burial and natural burial

SB 1057 authorizes natural burial in West Virginia, allowing families to bury human remains without embalming, vaults, or non-biodegradable containers using biodegradable shrouds or caskets. It directly affects families seeking eco-friendly or cost-effective burial options, cemeteries (which may choose to offer natural burial without extra licensing), and funeral directors (as licensure is no longer required for natural burial). Key provisions include removing embalming mandates, setting public health standards for timely burial, and prohibiting cemeteries or professional groups from requiring embalming or non-biodegradable materials. The bill also prevents funeral service boards from regulating natural burial beyond statutory limits. It takes effect 90 days after passage.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill eliminates embalming (toxic chemicals) and non-biodegradable containers, reducing soil/water pollution and conserving resources through natural burial options.90% confidence

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signed · West Virginia · Senate Jun 25, 2026

SB 826: Supplementary appropriation to Division of Natural Resources, fund 3211

SB 826 is a supplementary appropriation bill that increases funding for the State Parks and Recreation Endowment Fund (fund 3211) within the Division of Natural Resources for fiscal year 2026. It raises current expenses from $13,000 to $25,000 and other assets from $69,000 to $6,500,000. This directly provides additional resources for managing West Virginia's state parks, including operations and facility maintenance during the 2026 fiscal year.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases funding for state parks operations/maintenance via supplementary appropriation, directly advancing public service funding within budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill increases funding for State Parks and Recreation Endowment Fund to enhance park operations and maintenance, directly supporting environmental conservation and natural resource management.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Parks & Recreation

introduced · West Virginia · Senate Feb 5, 2026

SB 770: Establishing Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Act

SB 770 establishes West Virginia's Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Act, creating a nine-member commission within the Division of Natural Resources to manage OHV recreation. The commission will designate public lands as OHV recreation areas, develop safety and environmental regulations (including speed limits, emissions, and trail restrictions), and administer a dedicated fund financed by OHV fees, fines, and state/federal funding. Private landowners may apply for grants to develop OHV trails under commission guidelines, while the program requires environmental impact assessments and annual reporting on expenditures and recreational impacts. The bill directly affects OHV users, land managers, and local communities through new regulatory frameworks and funding mechanisms for sustainable recreation.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes environmental regulations including emissions controls and trail restrictions for OHVs, aiming to manage ecological impact through dedicated commission oversight and funding.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Parks & Recreation Public Lands

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 11, 2026

HB 5439: Creaing a pollinator planting program

HB 5439 would create a statewide pollinator protection program under West Virginia's Department of Agriculture to support bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. The program requires the department to develop a plan with input from beekeepers, farmers, and conservation groups, focusing on planting pollinator-friendly habitats on private property and in state parks and forests. Key provisions include mitigating damage from invasive plant species, encouraging low-maintenance habitat creation, identifying educational opportunities, and leveraging existing state/federal grants for conservation. The goal is to protect pollinator health while supporting West Virginia's agricultural economy and beekeeping industry.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentCreates statewide pollinator habitat program under Department of Agriculture, directly supporting biodiversity conservation and natural resource protection through habitat creation and invasive species mitigation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Wildlife

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 4, 2026

HB 5190: Increase conservation funding by $300,000, with the increase only to be allocated based on the head count of cattle and/or large livestock

HB 5190 increases West Virginia's annual conservation funding by $300,000, with the additional funds allocated exclusively based on the head count of cattle and/or large livestock. This change directly affects land conservation grant programs, requiring that new funding distribution be tied to livestock numbers rather than other conservation criteria. The bill amends existing law to mandate this livestock-based allocation starting July 1, 2026. It does not alter the existing conservation criteria (like wildlife habitat or watershed protection) but specifies how the new $300,000 will be distributed. The change applies only to the incremental funding, not the existing conservation budget.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill increases conservation funding by $300,000, directly allocating additional state budget resources to a public service program (land conservation grants).90% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill redirects conservation funding exclusively to livestock-based allocation, prioritizing agriculture over broader environmental protection criteria, weakening general conservation efforts.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Water Quality Wildlife Tags Agriculture

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 10, 2026

HB 5414: New Oil and Gas Well Plugging Assurance Act

This bill requires oil and gas operators to provide financial assurance before drilling new wells that aren’t expected to produce, either through a bond or funds held in an escrow account managed by the State Treasurer. It aims to prevent future "orphan wells" by ensuring money is available to plug wells that become abandoned without a responsible operator. The funds must be used only for plugging the well or, if the operator fails to act, for the state to plug it using the reserved funds. This directly affects operators seeking new permits after July 2026 and protects landowners from property devaluation and environmental risks linked to unplugged wells.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires financial assurance to prevent orphan wells, ensuring funds for plugging abandoned wells to protect environment from pollution and contamination.95% confidence

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 17, 2026

HCR 20: Designating the City of Gary water and wastewater systems for emergency intervention under the State Utility Accountability and Improvement Program.

HCR 20 designates Gary's water and wastewater systems for emergency state intervention under West Virginia's utility program, directly affecting Gary residents who face aging infrastructure, water quality issues, and financial instability. The resolution requires a state team to conduct an emergency assessment within seven days, classifies the systems as Tier 4 (highest emergency tier), and prioritizes them for up to $3 million in emergency repairs from the Distressed Utilities Account. It mandates monthly progress reports to the legislature and sets a 6-month preliminary evaluation, serving as a pilot for the state's utility intervention program. The resolution does not delay ongoing Public Service Commission ownership proceedings for the systems.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $3M from Distressed Utilities Account for emergency infrastructure repairs, directly funding public utility services per state fiscal program.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAddresses water quality issues via emergency repairs to prevent contamination, directly protecting environmental resources and public health.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 17, 2026

HB 5642: To create the West Virginia Water and Wastewater Utility Sustainabilty Act

HB 5642 creates the State Utility Accountability and Improvement Program to support water and wastewater utilities in West Virginia, particularly those facing financial or operational challenges. It establishes a State Utility Management Corps to provide direct assistance, authorizes temporary management (conservatorships) for struggling utilities, and creates a Priority Utility Docket for faster public service commission reviews. The bill also expands the Distressed Utilities Account for financial aid, sets up a tiered reclassification system for rate adjustments, and requires annual utility assessments for transparency. These provisions apply directly to public water and wastewater utilities across the state, aiming to improve service reliability and long-term sustainability.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentSupports water utility sustainability, preventing pollution from failing systems through financial/operational assistance to critical environmental infrastructure.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water

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