HB 5565 creates a new State Election Poll Clerk Reimbursement Fund Account in the state treasury to pay county poll clerks a $100 daily stipend for work during early voting or election day for general elections. This directly affects county poll clerks who serve in precincts during general elections, providing them with compensation for their service. County clerks must submit individual invoices for eligible clerks within 30 days after a general election, and the Secretary of State will pay these stipends from the new fund. The bill does not change election procedures or apply to primaries or municipal elections.
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Elections
HB 5163 exempts child-care programs operated by county school boards exclusively for the children of their employees or students from most state licensing requirements. This directly affects county school districts and their employees/students who rely on these on-site child-care services. The bill adds this exemption to existing licensing rules while allowing the State Board of Education to create safety and health rules for these programs. It does not change current requirements for other child-care providers, such as family day-care homes or private facilities.
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Children
HB 5617 would allow certified nonprofit retailers (called "workforce training community centers") meeting specific criteria to retain 75% of consumer sales tax revenue collected after the first $1 million in annual sales. These retailers must use the retained funds exclusively for job training and placement services targeting people with employment barriers, such as disabilities. They would continue paying local sales taxes and report retained amounts to the state Department of Revenue. The bill creates a new program to expand access to workforce development by redirecting a portion of sales tax revenue toward job training services.
This bill (SB 1038) increases salaries by 15% for three specific positions at the Unemployment Compensation Board of Review: Chief Administrative Law Judge, Administrative Law Judge 1, and Administrative Law Judge 2. The adjustment applies to salary levels effective when the bill takes effect and is separate from other 2026 budget salary changes. The stated purpose is to help ensure unemployment compensation hearings occur in a timely manner. The funding for this increase is exempt from standard budget constraints, and the law explicitly states it creates no legal liability for implementation.
HB 5511 allows county school board employees' estates to receive a lump sum payment for unused accrued personal leave if the employee dies before retirement. The payment, capped at $6,000, is based on the employee's final pay rate and must be paid to the estate's personal representative within one month of request. It excludes deductions for retirement contributions and does not count toward final salary calculations. The bill directly affects county school employees who die while still employed and their beneficiaries.
HB 5524 would allow paid county emergency medical services (EMS) workers to join West Virginia's Emergency Medical Services Retirement System. Currently, this system only covers certain EMS personnel, but the bill expands eligibility to include paid county EMS employees under specific circumstances. Key provisions amend retirement code sections to define eligibility, require participating employers to cover related costs proportionally, and address asset transfers. The bill does not change existing retirement benefits but enables new members to participate in the system. This is a policy change affecting county EMS workers' retirement options, not a procedural or commemorative measure.
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Public Safety
HB 5539 would allow West Virginia employers (both public and private) to give hiring preference to unemployed coal miners who meet specific criteria. To qualify, a miner must have worked in coal mining for at least five years, been unemployed as a coal miner for over one year, not be retired, and not have been fired for cause (like safety violations). Employers could prioritize these miners only if they meet all job-specific knowledge, skills, and eligibility requirements. The bill aims to support coal miners displaced by industry changes by creating a legal pathway for targeted hiring. This is a proposed policy change, not yet enacted.
HB 5095 provides tax credits to help low-income workers access reliable vehicles by supporting charitable programs. It allows individual donors who give vehicles to qualified charities to claim up to $6,000 per vehicle (based on fair market value), and licensed auto dealers who sell/donate eligible vehicles through these programs to claim up to $6,000 per vehicle (based on price reductions). Vehicles must meet strict safety standards (no salvage titles, no open recalls, 90-day warranty) and be certified by nonprofits that provide affordable financing, financial counseling, and vehicle safety checks for households earning at or below 150% of the federal poverty level. The program is capped at $300,000 annually for 2026-2027 and $1 million thereafter, with the Tax Commissioner tracking credit usage and allocating funds among qualifying charities.
HB 5083 creates a paid parental leave pilot program for West Virginia state employees. It provides up to 12 weeks of paid leave (at 90% of average weekly wage, capped at $1,000 weekly) for birth or adoption of a child under age 12, during the period July 2026-July 2028. Employees must have worked 12 consecutive weeks for state government and submit documentation (birth/adoption records). The program expires December 31, 2029, and requires employers to maintain health coverage and benefits during leave. It does not cover part-time, elected, or certain vocational rehabilitation employees.
HB 5586 establishes a new minimum salary schedule for classroom teachers in West Virginia, effective for the 2024-2025 school year and continuing thereafter. The bill sets specific minimum salary amounts based on teachers' years of experience (0-26+ years) and educational qualifications (Bachelor's, Master's, or Doctorate degrees). This policy change directly affects all public school classroom teachers in West Virginia by creating a standardized pay structure with different rates for various experience levels and education levels. The bill amends §18A-4-2 of the Code of West Virginia to implement this new salary framework.
