Immigration (Driver Licenses & IDs)

HB 4551, the West Virginia Safe Trucking Act 2026, requires non-domiciled commercial drivers (those not residents of West Virginia) operating commercial vehicles in the state to present a valid work visa and proof of citizenship (such as a birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or passport) starting July 1, 2026. This applies specifically to drivers holding non-domiciled commercial driver licenses or learner permits, as defined by federal regulations. Violations carry fines up to $2,500 for drivers per offense and up to $3,000 per violation for commercial carriers employing non-compliant drivers. The bill amends existing licensing standards to add these requirements and penalties, focusing on verifying legal work authorization for commercial truck drivers.

HB 4596 prohibits local governments (like cities, counties, and law enforcement agencies) from adopting policies that restrict cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. The bill requires these entities to comply with federal immigration law enforcement or risk losing state funding - specifically, they have 90 days to fix violations after notice, and face funding denial for the next fiscal year if a court rules they intentionally violated the law. It directly affects local jurisdictions that might have previously limited information-sharing or collaboration with federal immigration authorities. The law aims to ensure local entities do not obstruct federal immigration enforcement efforts through policy.