Technology

signed · West Virginia · Senate Jun 25, 2026

SB 640: Prohibiting release of certain personal information of contributors to political elections

SB 640 prohibits the public release of contributors' addresses and employer information for political election donations exceeding $250 in a single election cycle. It amends West Virginia election law to require this information to be reported in financial statements but bans its disclosure to the public, while maintaining the requirement for contributors to provide it. The bill directly affects political donors over $250 and election committees that file financial reports. A violation constitutes a misdemeanor offense under the new provisions. This change modifies existing disclosure rules to protect contributor privacy for specific details, without altering contribution limits or reporting requirements.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProhibits public release of donor personal data (addresses, employers), directly advancing data privacy protections under Technology topic.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

signed · West Virginia · Senate Jun 25, 2026

SB 506: Permitting certain use of county-owned wireless tower

This bill authorizes West Virginia county commissions to lease or permit the use of county-owned wireless towers to private entities, provided those entities meet specific security and compliance requirements. The legislation mandates that any lessee must not be associated with foreign adversaries, terrorist organizations, or entities linked to countries supporting terrorism, and must use secure cellular and cyber defense measures that do not threaten critical infrastructure like voting systems. County commissions are required to conduct due diligence before approving any tower use and are granted immunity from liability if they perform this review in good faith. Additionally, the bill prohibits counties from charging fees for tower use by public safety agencies, state departments of transportation, and other state agencies, though counties may recover actual costs for installation and maintenance.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill enhances cybersecurity by mandating secure cellular and cyber defense measures and restricting foreign adversaries from using county wireless infrastructure.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

signed · West Virginia · Senate Jun 25, 2026

SB 84: Prohibiting law enforcement from placing surveillance cameras on private property

SB 84 prohibits West Virginia law enforcement officers from installing surveillance cameras on private property without either the property owner's consent or a valid search warrant. This directly affects police departments and private landowners by requiring legal authorization before placing cameras on fenced, posted, or cultivated land owned by non-government entities. Exceptions allow installation in areas visible to the public without authorization or during emergencies where obtaining consent/warrant isn't feasible. The bill defines "surveillance camera" to exclude police vehicle dash or body cameras but explicitly covers devices like game cameras used for observation. It applies to all law enforcement officers, including state natural resources agents, under West Virginia law.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires warrants/consent for police surveillance on private property, protecting civil rights and enhancing law enforcement accountability per criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRestricts unauthorized surveillance tech use, protecting property owners' privacy rights per data privacy indicators.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

passed both · West Virginia · House of Delegates Mar 14, 2026

HB 5412: Future Ready Education Act

The Future Ready Education Act allows West Virginia school districts to enter multi-year contracts for educational technology with a technology licensing component, provided they document fiscal savings and include a 30-day cancellation clause. It extends the Mountain State Digital Project to cover grades 9-12 and adds tutoring in reading, math, science, and career-technical education. Starting in the 2026-2027 school year, all kindergarten through fifth-grade teachers must complete training in the science of reading, with public charter school educators permitted to voluntarily participate. The bill directly affects school districts, K-5 teachers, and students in public schools across West Virginia.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRequires fiscal savings documentation for tech contracts, promoting responsible budget management within education funding allocation85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExtends digital project to grades 9-12, adds subject tutoring, mandates teacher training - directly enhances educational access, student programs, and educator support.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyEnables school tech contracts, extends digital project to grades 9-12, and mandates tech-related teacher training, advancing educational technology access and integration.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

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passed · West Virginia · Senate Mar 11, 2026

SB 440: Increasing penalty for transporting telecommunication devices into jails

This bill amends West Virginia law to specifically prohibit transporting telecommunications devices (like cell phones) into correctional facilities, including federal prisons. It increases penalties for delivering such devices to inmates or unauthorizedly bringing them onto facility grounds, with felony charges carrying fines up to $5,000 or up to 10 years in prison, and misdemeanor charges for lesser violations. The law directly affects visitors, family members, staff, or others attempting to bring devices into jails or prisons without authorization. It expands existing restrictions by explicitly naming telecommunications devices and updating their definition within the legal framework.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for transporting devices to jails, expanding criminalization and restricting inmate access without reform focus.90% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill explicitly restricts transportation of telecom devices (cell phones) into jails, increasing penalties for unauthorized access. Directly limits technology use in correctional facilities.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Technology

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passed · West Virginia · Senate Mar 5, 2026

SB 540: Relating to audio recording during CPS investigation

SB 540 requires Child Protective Services (CPS) workers in West Virginia to wear body-worn cameras during investigations of child abuse or neglect, but only after obtaining consent from the person being investigated in private settings where privacy is expected. CPS workers may skip using the camera if it would compromise a child's privacy or hinder the investigation, but they must document the reason in the case file. All audio and video recordings must be kept confidential, stored until all appeals are resolved, and treated as part of the official child welfare record, not subject to public disclosure. This bill directly affects CPS workers and individuals involved in child welfare investigations.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates confidentiality and consent for body camera recordings, protecting data privacy (key aspect of technology policy) in CPS investigations.80% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

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passed · West Virginia · House of Delegates Mar 4, 2026

HB 4352: Prohibiting cameras and recording devices in bedrooms and bathrooms of foster children

HB 4352 prohibits cameras and recording devices in the bedrooms and bathrooms of foster children in West Virginia foster homes. The bill directly affects foster children and their caregivers, banning all such devices except under specific medical exemptions. Exemptions apply only if a child has a medical diagnosis of severe physical, behavioral, cognitive, or psychological disability, and even then, any permitted devices must be placed visibly - not hidden. The law requires foster homes to maintain privacy in these personal spaces while allowing limited medical monitoring with clear visibility.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProhibits recording devices in private spaces to protect foster children's privacy, directly strengthening data privacy protections under technology policy.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

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passed · West Virginia · Senate Feb 26, 2026

SB 560: Relating to financing and state payments

SB 560, the Financial Accountability Stable Token Act (FAST Act), allows West Virginia to use stable digital tokens fully backed by U.S. dollars for payments to state vendors and contractors. The State Treasurer will maintain a list of approved tokens meeting strict criteria (e.g., 1:1 U.S. dollar backing, quarterly audits, and U.S. regulatory compliance) and may authorize them without further legislative action. Vendors and contractors can choose to accept these tokens voluntarily but cannot be required to do so, and such payments will satisfy the state’s financial obligations. The Treasurer must also submit annual reports to the Legislature detailing token usage, cost savings, and risk assessments.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyEnables state use of regulated digital tokens for payments, promoting digital transaction adoption with strict financial safeguards85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

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