Labor & Employment

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 2, 2026

HB 5056: Permit beneficiary under the State Teachers Retirement System to convert to the maximum life annuity if the spouse dies within the first five years of the beneficiary’s retirement

HB 5056 allows beneficiaries of the West Virginia State Teachers Retirement System who elected a joint life annuity (paying benefits to both the retiree and their spouse) to switch to the maximum life annuity if their spouse dies within the first five years of retirement. This change requires the retiree to provide proof of the spouse's death to the retirement board and is limited to one conversion. The bill ensures the recalculated monthly benefit does not exceed what would have been paid under the maximum life annuity at the time of retirement. It directly affects teachers who retired with a joint annuity and lost their spouse early in their retirement.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentAllows teachers' beneficiaries to switch to higher retirement annuity after spouse's death, expanding post-employment financial security for workers.85% confidence

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signed · West Virginia · Senate Jun 25, 2026

SB 831: Supplemental Appropriation to Department of Human Services, fund 8794

This bill (SB 831) reallocates $200,000 within an existing budget line for West Virginia's Department of Human Services Community Mental Health Services (Fund 8794). It decreases funding from the "Federal Coronavirus Pandemic" account and increases funding for "Personal Services and Employee Benefits" to cover staffing costs. The bill does not create new programs or change eligibility for services - it simply shifts existing federal funds between two internal budget categories. This adjustment affects how the Department of Human Services allocates resources for mental health services within its current fiscal year budget.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareReallocates $200k from pandemic funds to staff benefits, maintaining mental health services funding without cuts or program changes.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentReallocates funds to 'Personal Services and Employee Benefits' to cover staffing costs, directly supporting workforce compensation within the Department of Human Services.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 3, 2026

HB 5079: Related to childcare workers

HB 5079 requires the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources to subsidize child care services for children of employees working at licensed child care programs (including family child care homes) who work at least 20 hours per week. It directly affects child care workers by covering the cost of care for their own children, regardless of the employee's income level. The bill creates a state-funded program where participating child care providers receive subsidies to offer free or low-cost care to the children of their staff members. This policy change shifts the financial responsibility for childcare costs from the employees to the state for this specific group of workers.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentSubsidizes childcare for childcare workers, reducing financial barriers to employment and supporting workforce stability through direct benefit provision.95% confidence

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 3, 2026

HB 5116: Creating the Katherine Johnson and Dorothy Vaughan Fair Pay Act

HB 5116, the Katherine Johnson and Dorothy Vaughan Fair Pay Act, requires West Virginia employers to provide job applicants with the range of wages, benefits, and compensation for a position upon request. It prohibits employers from retaliating against applicants who decline to share past salary history or request pay ranges, and bans inquiries about prior wages without specific compliance steps. The bill also protects current employees' rights to discuss, disclose, or share their own wages with coworkers, while forbidding employers from restricting these discussions or taking adverse action for exercising these rights. Violations could lead to legal remedies including damages and attorney fees.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires wage transparency, prohibits salary history inquiries, and protects pay discussions - directly advancing worker pay rights and reducing wage discrimination.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Employment Discrimination Labor Standards

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introduced · West Virginia · Senate Feb 13, 2026

SB 942: Creating Advanced Baseload Energy Development Act

SB 942, the Advanced-Baseload Energy Development Act, creates a framework to support nuclear reactors and hydrogen energy projects that use carbon capture technology. It establishes a new Advanced Energy Division within the Office of Energy to coordinate development, permit projects, and partner with universities for workforce training. The bill provides tax incentives for qualifying projects, requires community benefit agreements, and allows utilities to recover project costs through rate increases. It specifically targets advanced-baseload energy projects using advanced nuclear reactors or fossil-fuel-derived hydrogen with carbon capture, aiming to leverage West Virginia’s energy infrastructure and workforce.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly provides tax incentives for qualifying energy projects, directly advancing tax policy to fund development of nuclear/hydrogen energy initiatives.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyProvides tax incentives for nuclear/hydrogen projects with carbon capture, establishes new energy division, and funds clean energy infrastructure development.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentPromotes nuclear/hydrogen energy with carbon capture, tax incentives for clean projects, and carbon reduction framework aligning with environmental protection goals.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentWorkforce training partnerships with universities directly support labor development and job creation in emerging energy sectors, aligning with funding and strengthening worker skills.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Nuclear Workforce Development

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 17, 2026

HB 5635: To create the Coalfield Housing Revitalization Tax Credit Act.

HB 5635 creates a 50% state tax credit for property owners who rehabilitate vacant or dilapidated residential properties in designated "coalfield" counties. The credit applies to eligible rehabilitation costs and requires properties to be used as workforce housing for educators, healthcare workers, first responders, and public employees. Projects supported by county commissions, housing authorities, or municipal redevelopment agencies receive priority. "Coalfield" counties are defined as those with historical or current economic ties to coal mining, including past or present coal-related industry activity. The bill is currently under review by the House Finance Committee.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates 50% tax credit for rehabilitating workforce housing, providing tax relief for property owners and supporting affordable housing initiatives.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates 50% tax credit for rehabilitating vacant properties into workforce housing for essential workers, directly funding affordable housing development in designated counties.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentDesignates workforce housing for educators, healthcare workers, and public employees, directly supporting their housing needs as part of employment stability and retention.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Tax Incentives Affordable Housing Housing Finance Property Taxes

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in committee · West Virginia · Senate Feb 10, 2026

SB 895: Removing time limits for filing or modifying claims for massive fibrosis

This bill removes time limits for workers to file or modify claims related to progressive massive fibrosis, a lung disease often linked to occupational exposure (like mining). It directly affects workers who develop this condition, allowing them to pursue or adjust compensation claims without being barred by past deadlines. The bill amends West Virginia's workers' compensation code to eliminate statute of limitations barriers specifically for these claims and adds a new impairment rating for progressive massive fibrosis. This change ensures affected workers can access benefits regardless of when symptoms first appeared or worsened.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves statute of limitations for workers' compensation claims related to occupational lung disease, protecting access to healthcare compensation for affected workers under West Virginia's workers' comp system.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRemoves statute of limitations for occupational lung disease claims, protecting workers' rights to seek compensation without time barriers under workers' compensation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Workers' Compensation

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 17, 2026

HB 5677: To create the Career Pipeline for Coalfield Counties Act.

HB 5677 establishes the Coalfield Career Pipeline Program to expand workforce training in West Virginia's coalfield counties. The bill authorizes mobile career and technical education units, paid apprenticeships, certification programs, and employer partnerships focused on priority industries like commercial driving, healthcare, construction, and emerging energy trades. It prioritizes collaborative applications involving schools, workforce boards, and local governments. The program aims to directly support residents in these economically transitioning communities by connecting them to in-demand jobs.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes CTE program with mobile units, apprenticeships, and employer partnerships to expand workforce training access in coalfield counties, directly advancing educational opportunity through funding and collaboration.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentEstablishes paid apprenticeships and employer partnerships in key industries, enhancing workforce training and job opportunities for workers in target sectors.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Apprenticeships Professional Licensing Workforce Development

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 2, 2026

HB 5030: Authorizing adjustment from federal adjusted gross income for certain law enforcement pension benefit payments

HB 5030 modifies West Virginia's tax code to expand tax exemptions for certain public safety pensions. It adds Division of Natural Resources police, deputy sheriffs, full-time firefighters, and municipal police officers to the existing list of law enforcement personnel who can exclude the first $2,000 of retirement benefits from state taxable income. The bill amends §11-21-12(c)(6) of the West Virginia Code to include these roles under the tax-exempt pension provision. This change directly affects current and future retirees in these specific public safety professions by reducing their state income tax burden on pension payments. The policy change is limited to the first $2,000 of qualifying pension income per year, consistent with existing tax rules.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands tax exemptions for public safety pensions, reducing taxable income for middle-income earners, aligning with tax relief support indicators.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands tax exemption for public safety pensions, adding specific roles to exclude retirement benefits from state tax, enhancing worker financial security.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Pensions Retirement Benefits Tags Public Safety

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passed · West Virginia · Senate Feb 18, 2026

SR 32: Protecting WV coal jobs, coal power, and coal families

This Senate Resolution (SR 32) expresses the West Virginia Senate's commitment to protecting coal-dependent communities and energy infrastructure. It specifically requires coal-fired power plants to operate at a minimum 69% annual capacity factor to maintain grid reliability and protect over 10,000 coal jobs, while opposing actions that threaten mine closures or job losses. The resolution also pledges to prioritize local coal jobs over "out-of-state contracting" and prevent ratepayers from bearing higher costs due to reduced coal generation. As a non-binding resolution (adopted February 18, 2026), it does not create new law but formally commits the Senate to supporting coal through policy advocacy and oversight.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill mandates coal plant operation to protect 10k jobs, opposes mine closures, and prioritizes coal over renewables, actively favoring fossil fuels90% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill prioritizes coal plant operations (69% capacity) and opposes actions threatening mine closures/jobs, directly conflicting with environmental regulations targeting coal emissions and transition to cleaner energy.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill explicitly protects 10,000 coal jobs by requiring coal plant operations and opposing mine closures/job losses, directly advancing employment security in coal-dependent communities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Coal Electric Grid

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