Environment

in committee · West Virginia · Senate Feb 9, 2026

SB 872: Supplemental appropriation to Department of Commerce, fund 0265

This bill adds a $20 million supplemental appropriation to fund 0265 for the Department of Commerce's Division of Natural Resources, specifically for capital outlay, repairs, and equipment. It uses an unappropriated surplus balance from the State Fund, General Revenue, to fund existing capital projects without creating new programs or altering policy. The funding is designated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026, and directly affects the Division of Natural Resources' ability to maintain and upgrade infrastructure.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds Division of Natural Resources for capital projects, maintaining environmental infrastructure without policy changes.90% confidence

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in committee · West Virginia · Senate Feb 16, 2026

SCR 3: Requesting Joint Committee on Government and Finance study funding for Flood Resiliency Fund

This concurrent resolution (SCR 3) requests the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to study how to fund West Virginia's Flood Resiliency Trust Fund. The committee must examine potential funding sources, including state revenue streams (like severance taxes), federal matching programs, lessons from other states, required funding levels, and using excess money from the Income Tax Reserve Fund. The study aims to develop a sustainable strategy to support the fund's goals, such as improving flood data, protecting infrastructure, and advancing risk reduction. The committee must report findings by January 1, 2027, to inform future legislation. This resolution does not allocate funds but directs a study to address current gaps in the fund's long-term financing.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill requests study to fund flood resiliency, supporting environmental protection against natural disasters through sustainable funding strategies.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection

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passed · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 27, 2026

HR 13: Proposing approval of United States H.R. 5966, Ohio River Restoration Program Act.

House Resolution 13 is a West Virginia legislative resolution endorsing federal legislation (H.R. 5966), which would create the Ohio River Basin Restoration Program. If enacted, the program would fund projects to improve water quality, restore fish habitats, enhance flood resiliency, and expand recreational access across the Ohio River basin. It directly affects West Virginia residents who rely on the river for drinking water (700,000 people), economic activity, and recreation along its 277-mile border. The resolution clarifies the program would be non-regulatory, not creating new permits or legal claims, and aims to deliver clean water and economic benefits to communities in the Ohio River watershed.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEndorses federal bill funding water quality, habitat restoration, and flood resiliency projects in Ohio River basin, directly advancing environmental protection and conservation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Drinking Water Water Quality

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

HB 5281: Supplemental Appropriation to the Department of Commerce-Division of Forestry from the Unappropriated Balance

HB 5281 adds $600,000 to the existing budget for the West Virginia Division of Forestry (under Department of Commerce, Fund 0250) for fiscal year 2026. It uses unspent funds from the previous fiscal year’s General Revenue account to cover current operational expenses, not new programs. This supplemental appropriation directly affects the Division of Forestry’s ability to manage forest resources during 2026 without altering existing laws or creating new requirements. The bill does not change eligibility for services or impose new obligations on citizens.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $600,000 from unspent funds to fund Division of Forestry operations, an essential program, without new taxes or altering existing laws.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds forestry operations for forest resource management, maintaining existing conservation efforts without new programs.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Revenue Forestry

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in committee · West Virginia · Senate Feb 20, 2026

SB 1031: Increasing cost of solid waste assessment fees

SB 1031 would increase the maximum county solid waste assessment fee from $1.00 to $1.50 per ton for waste disposal. This bill directly affects West Virginia counties and regional solid waste authorities, which collect these fees. The key provision amends §7-5-22 of the state code to allow the higher fee rate, with all collected funds required to cover administration costs, refuse cleanup, litter control, and other solid waste programs. The bill does not change current fee structures but raises the allowable maximum rate by 50 cents per ton.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds from increased fees directly support litter control, refuse cleanup, and solid waste programs, aligning with environmental protection goals per bill's purpose.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Recycling Waste Management

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introduced · West Virginia · Senate Feb 21, 2026

SB 1040: Creating WV Energy Freedom Act

SB 1040, the West Virginia Energy Freedom Act, removes the requirement for certain non-utility power generators to obtain a "certificate of public convenience and necessity" before building or operating facilities. It directly affects solar, wind, and other non-utility electric generation projects, requiring them instead to register with the Public Service Commission and comply with environmental, zoning, and grid interconnection rules. The bill streamlines approvals by waiving the certificate process for projects reviewed and approved by the Infrastructure and Jobs Development Council. It also exempts intermittent power sources (like solar and wind) from the certificate requirement, shifting oversight to registration and standard grid connection protocols.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyRemoves certificate requirement for solar/wind projects, streamlining approvals to advance renewable energy development while maintaining environmental/zoning compliance.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRemoves regulatory barriers for solar/wind projects, facilitating clean energy development while maintaining environmental compliance requirements.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Solar Transmission Utility Regulation

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introduced · West Virginia · Senate Jan 14, 2026

SB 79: Establishing road or highway infrastructure improvement projects or coal production and processing facilities tax credit

SB 79 creates a tax credit for West Virginia businesses that invest in road or highway infrastructure projects or coal production and processing facilities. Eligible taxpayers - such as corporations and consolidated groups subject to the state's severance tax - can claim the credit based on qualified expenditures like labor, materials, equipment, and real property costs for these projects. Businesses must apply for certification before claiming the credit for road projects, and unused credits can be carried forward to future tax years. The credit is transferable to business successors, and failure to maintain required records may trigger penalties.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates tax credit reducing liability for eligible businesses, directly providing tax relief per support indicators.95% confidence ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill provides tax credit for coal production (fossil fuel), explicitly favoring fossil fuels over renewables. No support for renewable energy infrastructure or clean energy policies.95% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentTax credit for coal production/processing facilities prioritizes fossil fuel industry over environmental protection, increasing pollution risk.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill creates tax credits for businesses investing in road/highway infrastructure projects, directly funding transportation improvements through financial incentives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Tax Credits Tax Incentives Coal Roads & Highways Transportation Funding

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

HB 4018: Enhancing Flood Resiliency Disbursements

HB 4018 amends West Virginia's Flood Resiliency Trust Fund rules to require that at least 50% of disbursements benefit low-income areas/households and 50% fund nature-based flood solutions (like wetland restoration or floodplain acquisition). It mandates that political subdivisions receiving funds must adopt specific flood mitigation measures, such as updated road standards, flood hazard bylaws, or FEMA-approved local emergency plans. The bill directly affects local governments, state agencies, and residents in flood-prone areas - particularly low-income households and communities with frequent flooding. All disbursements must align with the state’s Flood Resiliency Plan and require explicit approval from the State Resiliency Officer.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill directs 50% of Flood Resiliency Trust Fund disbursements to low-income areas and nature-based solutions, funding essential flood mitigation programs within fiscal management.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds nature-based solutions (wetland restoration) for flood resiliency, directly advancing environmental conservation and protection.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationMandates updated road standards as part of flood mitigation, directly advancing transportation infrastructure resilience and safety standards.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Roads & Highways

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 21, 2026

HB 4675: Relating to “Rain Tax”

HB 4675, titled "Relating to 'Rain Tax'," would prohibit West Virginia municipalities from charging property owners a fee based on stormwater, runoff, rain, or similar precipitation-related factors. This bill amends state law to remove local governments' authority to impose such fees, directly affecting residential and commercial property owners who might have been charged for these services. The key mechanism is a clear prohibition on assessing any fee tied to precipitation management, replacing existing provisions that allowed stormwater fees under municipal ordinances. This change would require municipalities to find alternative funding methods for stormwater programs but does not specify new funding mechanisms.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesProhibits municipalities from imposing precipitation-based fees, restricting local tax authority on stormwater charges per bill's explicit language.95% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill prohibits stormwater fees that fund pollution control infrastructure, removing a key funding mechanism for managing runoff pollution and water quality conservation efforts.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Water Quality

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

HB 4985: Relating to strategic and critical resources, state preemption of local regulation, and foreign ownership and restricted commerce entities

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.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentPreempts local environmental regulations for resource extraction, weakening local protections. No environmental benefits mentioned.85% confidence

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