SB 627 amends West Virginia's Build WV Act to reform tax credit eligibility for residential housing projects. It replaces project cost calculations with a new cap on tax credit liability for new approvals, specifically allowing smaller projects in designated rural areas to qualify. The bill requires annual adjustments to the program based on demand and establishes a dedicated Build WV Credit Reserve Fund to manage these changes. This directly affects developers seeking tax credits for new residential construction or rehabilitation of unoccupied housing, clarifying which project expenses (like construction, utilities, and materials) qualify while excluding costs covered by other incentives.
HB 4928 prohibits counties and municipalities from taxing residential rental properties at higher rates than owner-occupied homes. It requires all property taxes on rental properties to match the rate for owner-occupied housing and bans additional taxes based on zoning. The bill directly affects landlords who own rental properties and aims to reduce their tax burden, potentially helping keep rents stable. It does not change sales or service taxes for rental businesses. The legislation focuses on changing property tax assessment rules, not on broader rent control or other housing policies.
HB 4532 proposes to allow homeless U.S. citizens residing in shelters or served by homeless services providers in West Virginia to obtain certain identification documents at no cost. Eligible individuals must use the shelter’s address, have a shelter employee verify their residency via affidavit, and provide proof of U.S. citizenship (such as a birth certificate or passport). The bill requires the state division to issue photo ID cards, replacement driver’s licenses, or replacement birth certificates to qualifying applicants. It defines "homeless U.S. citizen" as someone lacking a fixed residence and residing in a shelter or receiving services from a homeless provider. The bill is currently in committee review and has not yet been enacted.
HB 4730 requires West Virginia's Department of Human Services to create a coordinated system of support for youth aging out of foster care or preparing to exit foster care, directly affecting these young adults statewide. The bill mandates a three-phase housing model (on-site living, scattered-site arrangements, and supportive independent living) plus services to build daily living, social-emotional, and education/career skills. It establishes specific funding rules including per diem rates for providers, annual cost-of-living adjustments, and direct monthly stipends to youth for housing costs, while maximizing federal Title IV-E funding. The department must implement annual data collection and reporting to the legislature on outcomes like housing stability and employment, starting in 2027.
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HJR 28 is a constitutional amendment proposal (not a bill) that would require voter approval to allow West Virginia's legislature to later create a law exempting owner-occupied primary residences from property tax once the mortgage is paid off. It does not create the exemption itself but would permit future legislation to do so for homes with no outstanding mortgage. This would directly affect homeowners who pay off their mortgages and occupy the property as their primary residence. The amendment must be approved by voters in the 2026 general election to take effect.
HB 4778 allows West Virginia residents without a permanent address to obtain a standard driver's license or identification card. It directly affects people without fixed housing, such as those experiencing homelessness or living in temporary shelters. The bill requires the Department of Motor Vehicles to audit addresses used for licensing, sets standards for canceling licenses based on address issues, and waives the $5 annual fee for applicants without a permanent address. This policy change removes a significant barrier to obtaining essential identification for vulnerable residents.
SB 168 would amend West Virginia law to eliminate a municipal tax on residential utility bills. It directly affects homeowners and renters who pay for electricity, gas, or water services, removing a tax that previously applied to their utility payments. The bill changes §8-13-5a of the state code to explicitly exempt residential utility consumers from the two-percent municipal excise tax on utility services. This policy change ensures residential customers no longer pay this tax on their monthly utility statements.
HB 4432 establishes new tenant protections and landlord notice requirements for residents in factory-built home rental communities (including mobile homes, manufactured homes, modular homes, and house trailers). It defines "good cause" for eviction, requiring landlords to provide written notice before terminating tenancy for reasons like rent arrears or lease violations, and clarifies that tenants cannot be deemed to have abandoned their home due to catastrophic events like floods or tornadoes. The bill also defines key terms like "factory-built home rental community" and "good cause" to standardize protections. These changes directly affect tenants and landlords in multi-unit factory-built home communities across West Virginia.
HB 4216 authorizes West Virginia's Department of Health to establish licensing requirements for lead abatement professionals through a specific regulatory rule (64 CSR 45). The bill directly affects contractors and workers performing lead paint removal or abatement in residential properties. It creates a standardized licensing process to ensure proper training and safety practices during lead hazard remediation. The rule, previously modified after committee feedback, will set baseline qualifications for individuals and companies handling lead-based paint hazards. This is a procedural authorization to implement the rule, not a direct change to licensing standards themselves.
HJR 11 proposes amending West Virginia's state constitution to increase the homestead exemption from $10,000 to $20,000. This change would directly affect homeowners aged 65 or older, or those permanently and totally disabled, who own their primary residence as their principal place of abode. The bill would exempt the first $20,000 of assessed value for qualifying residential property from ad valorem property taxes. This constitutional amendment requires voter approval at the 2026 general election to take effect. The current exemption amount is $10,000 under the existing constitutional provision.
