Housing

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 5, 2026

HB 5255: Relating to consumer protection of new manufactured home warranties

HB 5255 requires manufacturers of new manufactured homes sold in West Virginia to honor all express warranty obligations and bear the full cost of repairs or replacements for defects. It directly affects consumers who purchase manufactured homes for personal use, ensuring they can enforce warranties without dealer interference. Key provisions mandate manufacturers to repair or replace homes that fail to meet warranty standards after reasonable attempts, and require dealers to disclose significant pre-delivery repairs to consumers. The bill prohibits manufacturers from shifting warranty costs to dealers through agreements, making such terms void.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill ensures manufacturers honor warranties for manufactured homes, protecting consumer property rights and housing quality in a key affordable housing segment.85% confidence

Tags Consumer Protection

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in committee · West Virginia · Senate Feb 18, 2026

SB 987: Prohibiting discrimination based upon gender identity or sexual orientation

SB 987 amends West Virginia's Human Rights Act to explicitly prohibit discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation in employment, public accommodations, and housing. The bill adds these categories to existing protected characteristics like race, religion, and disability, defining "sexual orientation" and "gender identity" for clarity. It directly affects employers (with 12+ employees), businesses serving the public, and housing providers across the state. The legislation expands the scope of the Human Rights Act to cover these new protected classes under the same legal framework. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Judiciary Committee after its February 18, 2026, introduction.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingDirectly prohibits housing discrimination based on gender identity/sexual orientation, strengthening tenant protections under West Virginia's Human Rights Act.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentAdds gender identity/sexual orientation to employment discrimination protections, strengthening worker rights under West Virginia's Human Rights Act.95% confidence

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 5, 2026

HB 5251: Adding “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” to the categories covered by the Human Rights Act and WV Fair Housing Act

HB 5251 would amend West Virginia's Human Rights Act and Fair Housing Act to explicitly prohibit discrimination based on "sexual orientation" and "gender identity" in employment, public accommodations, and housing. The bill adds these categories to the existing list of protected characteristics under §16B-17-2 and defines "gender identity" in §16B-17-3 as "the actual or perceived gender-related identity... regardless of the individual's designated sex at birth." This change directly affects residents facing discrimination in jobs, housing, or public spaces due to their sexual orientation or gender identity. The bill does not create new protections beyond those already established for other categories like race or disability.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingAdds explicit protections against housing discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, directly preventing discrimination in housing access per Fair Housing Act amendments.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentAdds explicit protections against employment discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, strengthening worker protections under Human Rights Act.95% confidence

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

HB 5177: Sales tax rebate for qualifying materials used in the construction of modest homes of 1 600 square feet or less

HB 5177 creates a state sales tax rebate for builders constructing modest homes under 1,600 square feet in West Virginia. The bill provides a rebate equal to the state's 6% sales tax paid on qualifying building materials purchased from in-state suppliers, subject to strict fixed quantity limits (e.g., 174 sheets of sheathing, 475 pieces of lumber). Builders must use only specified materials, retain documentation for 60 months, and receive approval after the home is sold and inspected. The rebate excludes municipal taxes unless a municipality voluntarily participates, and materials like basement finishes or out-of-state purchases are ineligible.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides sales tax rebate for builders of modest homes, offering tax relief to support affordable housing construction under 1,600 sq ft.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProvides tax rebate to builders of modest homes under 1,600 sq ft, reducing construction costs to increase affordable housing supply.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Tax Incentives

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

HB 5155: To prohibit convenience fees for tenant’s of rental properties

HB 5155 would prohibit landlords in West Virginia from charging tenants convenience fees for rent payments, such as fees for using credit cards or online payment systems. Landlords would no longer be allowed to add these fees to the rent amount, requiring them to absorb payment processing costs themselves. The rule does not apply to landlords who accept payment methods without convenience fees, like cash or checks. This bill directly affects all residential landlords and tenants in West Virginia's rental housing market.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingProhibits landlord convenience fees for rent payments, reducing tenant costs and protecting tenant financial rights in housing.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renters Tenant Rights

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vetoed · West Virginia · House of Delegates Apr 2, 2026

HB 5074: Relating to changing the allocation of proceeds in the Medical Cannabis Program Fund.

HB 5074 changes how revenue from West Virginia's medical cannabis program is allocated. For fiscal year 2026, it directs $3 million to the Supreme Court for a child protection pilot, $10 million each to West Virginia University and Marshall University for ibogaine research, and $5 million to homelessness services, with remaining funds reverting to general revenue. Starting July 1, 2026, annual allocations will be: 15% to the Medical Cannabis Bureau for administration, 15% to the Department of Agriculture for cannabis testing, and 45% split among the Fight Substance Abuse Fund (20%), university research (10% each to Marshall and WVU), a Child Protection Commission (10%), and law enforcement training programs (40%). These changes apply to ongoing revenue from medical cannabis taxes, not new taxes or fees.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates cannabis program revenue to child protection, university research, and homelessness services, advancing funding for public programs and fiscal management.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates $10M to universities for ibogaine research (addiction treatment), directly funding mental health services within healthcare.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill allocates $5 million to homelessness services, directly addressing housing needs through funding for housing-related support programs.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Substance Abuse Homelessness

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

HB 5389: Veterans Housing Redevelopment Tax Credit Act

HB 5389 creates a 30% transferable tax credit for nonprofit organizations that convert existing hotels, motels, or commercial buildings into housing for homeless veterans. The credit covers 30% of qualified redevelopment costs (like renovation and infrastructure) but excludes land acquisition, and can be applied against corporate income, personal income, or business franchise taxes. Nonprofits can sell or transfer the unused credit to other taxpayers to generate funding, with credits carrying forward up to 10 years. This aims to incentivize supportive housing without creating new state spending or entitlements, targeting veterans facing homelessness through adaptive reuse of underutilized properties.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates 30% transferable tax credit to fund veteran housing, promoting fiscal responsibility via tax incentives for public service without direct state spending.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates tax credit for nonprofits to convert buildings into housing for homeless veterans, directly advancing affordable housing development for a vulnerable population through funding incentives.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransCreates 30% tax credit for nonprofits converting buildings into housing for homeless veterans, directly funding housing benefits and advancing veteran services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Tax Credits Tax Incentives Affordable Housing Housing Finance Property Taxes Veteran Education Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing

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introduced · West Virginia · Senate Feb 19, 2026

SB 1002: Allowing counties and municipalities to create special assessment districts

SB 1002 allows West Virginia counties and municipalities to create "special assessment districts" for funding specific utility infrastructure improvements, such as water or sewer systems, that directly benefit new housing developments. Property owners within these defined districts would pay targeted annual fees to cover the costs of the infrastructure they directly use, rather than spreading costs across broader taxpayer bases. The bill requires public hearings, clear boundary definitions, and explicit limits - prohibiting fees from replacing existing services or reducing other public funds. It establishes district boards to oversee projects and ensures funds are used solely for the approved improvements. This policy directly affects property owners in new development areas and local governments seeking to streamline infrastructure financing.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingEnables targeted infrastructure funding for new housing developments, facilitating construction and potential affordability through increased supply.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Development

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

HB 5532: Prohibiting counties from double-taxing rental properties

HB 5532 prohibits West Virginia counties and municipalities from imposing additional property taxes on residential rental properties beyond the rate applied to owner-occupied homes. It directly affects rental property owners and tenants by preventing local governments from charging higher taxes on rentals due to zoning classifications. The bill requires all county/municipal property taxes on rental properties to match those for owner-occupied homes and bans extra taxes based on zoning. This aims to reduce costs for tenants by preventing "double-taxing" that could raise rents, without altering sales or service taxes for businesses. The bill is currently in the House Finance Committee after introduction on February 16, 2026.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesPrevents counties from imposing higher property taxes on rental properties, restricting local tax revenue from this source.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingPrevents higher property taxes on rentals, reducing costs for tenants and promoting housing affordability by eliminating discriminatory tax rates.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Homeownership Property Taxes Zoning Tags Local Government

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 9, 2026

HB 5320: Welcome Act

HB 5320, the "Welcome Act," aims to address West Virginia's housing shortage by changing how land is taxed during development. It allows property owners to keep their original tax classification for subdivided land until individual lots are sold, directly affecting homeowners and developers. The bill protects property owners' right to further subdivide land after initial sales, requires new parcels to include 24/7 access to a road (without mandating road construction), and limits local governments from imposing stricter road standards than the existing access road. These provisions apply to casual land divisions but not to formally recorded subdivisions with existing deed restrictions.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill defers property tax increases during land subdivision, providing tax relief to developers to address housing shortages. Directly alters tax classification policy to promote development.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill directly addresses housing shortage by reducing tax barriers for developers, enabling faster subdivision and housing supply growth without mandating infrastructure costs.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Incentives Affordable Housing Property Development Property Taxes

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