Environment (Agriculture)

HB 5025 allows farm owners to burn obsolete, uninsured farm structures on agricultural land without facing second-degree arson penalties. It directly affects farmers who own outdated buildings (like barns or sheds) that are uninsured and no longer in use. To qualify, owners must submit a notarized letter to the county assessor and fire department seven days before burning, confirming the structure is uninsured and meets Department of Environmental Protection permitting requirements. The bill modifies existing arson law to create this specific exemption for eligible farm structures.

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.