Housing

passed · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 25, 2026

HB 4537: Requiring municipalities take action when potential customers apply for water and sewer service.

HB 4537 requires West Virginia municipalities and public service districts to determine the cost of extending water or sewer service to new customers and apply for state infrastructure grants to cover these costs. If grants are approved, the municipality must extend service after customers pay required fees, and grant funds must reimburse customers for upfront costs like application fees and service extension contributions. This directly affects potential customers seeking new service connections and municipalities managing utility infrastructure. The bill streamlines access to state funding to reduce customer financial barriers for service extensions.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill reduces upfront costs for water/sewer extensions, removing a key barrier for new housing development by requiring municipalities to cover fees via state grants.80% confidence

Tags Local Government

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in committee · West Virginia · Senate Jan 28, 2026

SB 396: Creating WV Job training and Placement Act

SB 396 creates the West Virginia Job Training and Placement Act, allowing certified retailers (specifically "workforce training community centers" meeting strict criteria) to keep 75% of sales tax revenue collected after their first $1 million in annual sales. These retailers must use the retained funds exclusively to provide job training and placement services for people facing barriers to employment, such as disabilities, criminal records, homelessness, or low education. The law requires certified organizations to serve at least three people per $10,000 retained, with an average of 2.25 successful job placements, and to monitor job retention for 90 days. Certification lasts three years, with renewal possible, and organizations must report usage to the state Department of Revenue.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill redirects sales tax revenue to fund job training programs via tax retention, aligning with funding essential public services through fiscal policy.90% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill explicitly targets individuals with criminal records for job training services, aiming to reduce recidivism through employment opportunities as part of rehabilitation.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill funds job training for homeless individuals, directly addressing homelessness under housing topic indicators.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill funds job training/placement for barrier groups (disabilities, criminal records, etc.), directly advancing employment standards and worker opportunities.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Sales Tax Homelessness Professional Licensing Workforce Development

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

HJR 21: Senior Citizen Homestead Valuation Amendment

HJR 21 proposes a constitutional amendment to lock the property tax valuation for West Virginia homeowners aged 65 or older (or permanently disabled) at the assessed value when they turned 65 or purchased their home - whichever occurred later. This would prevent their taxable value from increasing due to rising market prices, potentially reducing annual property tax bills over time. The amendment must be approved by voters in the 2028 general election to take effect. It directly affects senior homeowners who occupy their primary residence as their principal dwelling.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides permanent property tax relief for seniors by freezing valuation at 65+ age, reducing their tax burden per bill summary.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProtects senior homeowners' property rights by freezing tax valuation, aligning with housing topic's property rights focus85% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Property Taxes

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 22, 2026

HB 4754: Prohibiting municipal zoning regulations from imposing certain minimum lot sizes

HB 4754 prohibits West Virginia municipalities from requiring larger minimum lot sizes for properties with secondary housing units (like accessory dwelling units or "granny flats") compared to standard single-family homes in the same zoning district. This directly affects local governments that currently enforce such lot size requirements and homeowners seeking to build or add secondary housing. The bill amends zoning law to remove this specific restriction, ensuring that lot size rules for secondary units cannot be stricter than those for primary residences. It does not change other zoning regulations like building heights or land use designations. The bill’s key provision is a clear prohibition on differential lot size requirements for accessory dwellings.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRemoves zoning barriers for accessory dwelling units, enabling more housing options and increasing supply to advance affordable housing development.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Land Use Zoning

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 28, 2026

HB 4858: Determine credits for qualified rehabilitated buildings investment

HB 4858 establishes a 25% state income tax credit for property owners who rehabilitate certified historic buildings in West Virginia. It directly affects residential and commercial property owners who restore structures listed on the National Register of Historic Places or designated as "certified historic structures" by the National Park Service and West Virginia Division of Culture and History. The bill defines "qualified rehabilitation expenditures" using federal standards (26 U.S.C. §47), requires projects to meet Secretary of the Interior rehabilitation standards, and creates a centralized process for claiming the credit. It replaces older, fragmented provisions with a unified system and includes procedures for credit recapture if requirements aren't met.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides 25% state income tax credit for historic building rehabilitation, reducing tax liability for property owners - direct tax relief under fiscal incentives.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill provides tax credit for rehabilitating historic residential buildings, promoting housing preservation and development through financial incentive.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits Tax Incentives Historic Preservation Property Taxes

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 18, 2026

HB 4403: West Virginia Homeless Shelter Oversight & Safety Act

HB 4403 requires all West Virginia homeless shelters to register annually with the Bureau for Public Health and obtain a safety certificate by July 1, 2026. Shelters must meet standardized health, fire safety, staffing, and background check requirements, including resident grievance procedures and incident reporting. Violations could result in fines up to $5,000 per violation or temporary suspension of operations. The law applies to all shelters regardless of funding source, including faith-based facilities that retain federal religious protections while complying with health and safety standards.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates health/safety standards for homeless shelters under public health oversight, protecting vulnerable populations' health access and aligning with public health program safety requirements.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill establishes safety standards for homeless shelters, directly addressing homelessness and improving housing conditions for vulnerable populations through mandatory health, safety, and operational requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health Homelessness

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signed · West Virginia · Senate Jun 25, 2026

SB 659: Prohibiting certain restrictions on regulation of accessory dwelling units

SB 659 prevents West Virginia municipalities from banning or overly restricting accessory dwelling units (ADUs) - secondary living spaces like converted garages or backyard cottages - on single-family residential properties. The bill bans local governments from requiring public hearings, imposing excessive fees ($250 max application fee), mandating matching exterior designs, or setting stricter size/height rules for ADUs than for primary homes. It also prohibits municipalities from requiring additional parking, restrictive covenants, or separate water/sewer systems for ADUs, though they may still regulate short-term rentals separately. This directly affects homeowners seeking to build or rent out ADUs without local bureaucratic hurdles.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRemoves local restrictions on ADUs, increasing housing supply and affordability by allowing secondary units on single-family properties without excessive fees or design mandates.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renters Zoning

in committee · West Virginia · Senate Jan 16, 2026

SB 432: Issuing identification documents to homeless youth residing in WV shelters

SB 432 requires West Virginia's Division of Motor Vehicles to provide free identification documents (including photo IDs, driver's license replacements, or birth certificates) to homeless U.S. citizens residing in shelters or served by homeless services providers. To qualify, applicants must live at a shelter, use the shelter's address, have a shelter employee verify their homelessness via affidavit, and provide proof of U.S. citizenship (like a birth certificate or passport). The bill limits recipients to one document per 30 days and mandates the State Registrar to develop application forms. It directly affects homeless youth and unaccompanied homeless individuals who lack stable housing and cannot afford standard ID fees. The law aims to remove barriers to employment, benefits, and housing stability by ensuring access to essential identification.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill provides ID to homeless youth, removing barrier to housing access. Directly addresses homelessness, a core housing issue per topic definition.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 14, 2026

HB 4177: Limit property tax increases on certain individuals

HB 4177 would allow eligible West Virginia homeowners - those aged 65 or older, permanently disabled, or widowed with less than $20,000 annual income - to lock in their property tax rate on the first $20,000 of their home's assessed value. To qualify, individuals must have resided in West Virginia for two consecutive years (with limited exceptions for military returnees or those who left and returned within five years). Once eligible, their tax rate on that $20,000 portion remains fixed, preventing future increases due to rising home values. The exemption applies only to primary residences and takes effect from the July 1 assessment date.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides property tax relief for low-income seniors/disabled homeowners by locking rates on $20k valuation, aligning with tax relief for vulnerable groups.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProtects eligible homeowners from rising property taxes, supporting housing stability for vulnerable residents through tax relief on primary residences.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Property Taxes

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 14, 2026

HB 4058: Assure West Virginians proper access to water and sewage service at reasonable rates

HB 4058 authorizes reduced water and sewer utility rates for two groups in West Virginia: residents of communities with fewer than 1,000 people, and residents receiving specific benefits (SSI, TANF, TANF-UP, or SNAP for seniors). It allows utilities to offer up to a 20% rate reduction, approved by the Public Service Commission, with credits applied retroactively to customers' bills once approved. The Department of Human Services will help verify eligibility and inform benefit recipients about the program, while utilities must ensure small-community residents can access these lower rates. This bill directly affects low-income households and small communities by making essential water and sewer services more affordable.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingReduces water/sewer costs for low-income residents (SSI/TANF/SNAP), directly lowering housing expenses and supporting affordability for vulnerable groups.80% confidence

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