Immigration

HB 5354 authorizes the continued use of multiple existing legislative rules governing West Virginia's higher education programs, including scholarship initiatives like the Underwood-Smith Teacher Scholarship and PROMISE. It amends one rule (Medical Student Loan Program) to require U.S. citizenship or legal immigrant status for eligibility and repeals two outdated rules related to purchasing efficiencies and a research trust fund program. The bill does not create new programs but formalizes current administrative practices under the Higher Education Policy Commission and Community and Technical College Education. This procedural bill affects state education agencies and institutions managing these programs.

HB 4148 requires real estate salesperson license applicants in West Virginia to submit proof of U.S. citizenship or legal authorization to work in the United States. This directly affects individuals seeking to become real estate salespersons in the state. The bill amends §30-40-13 of the West Virginia Code to add this documentation requirement alongside existing education and exam standards. It does not change the education or exam requirements but adds a new verification step for applicants' immigration status. The law applies only to salesperson licenses, not other real estate professional licenses.