Technology

in committee · West Virginia · Senate Feb 19, 2026

SB 932: Specifying that cultivated meat products are adulterated foods

SB 932 amends West Virginia's food safety law to explicitly classify cultivated meat products as "adulterated foods." It directly affects producers and sellers of cultivated meat in the state by subjecting these products to existing prohibitions against adulterated food under §16-7-2. The bill adds a specific definition to the law, stating that cultivated meat - defined as food made by growing animal cells in a lab to mimic meat - is considered adulterated. This change means such products would be prohibited from being sold as regular food under current state law, without creating new regulatory requirements. The bill focuses solely on the legal classification, not on the safety or market impact of cultivated meat.

Topics ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyClassifies lab-grown meat as adulterated food, directly restricting a technology-based food production method under food safety law.90% confidence

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 4, 2026

HB 5194: To ban calculators and math computational devices from K-8 grade classrooms.

HB 5194 prohibits the use of calculators and math computational devices (like graphing calculators or digital math tools) in all K-8 public and charter school classrooms across West Virginia. The bill directly affects students in kindergarten through eighth grade and their teachers, requiring classrooms to operate without these devices for math instruction. Key provisions explicitly ban such devices in all public school settings, removing their use from math lessons for this age group. The law aims to ensure students develop foundational math skills without technological assistance during early education.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBans calculators in K-8 math, restricting curriculum tools and instructional methods per bill's explicit prohibition of devices in classrooms.95% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyHB 5194 explicitly bans calculators and math computational devices in K-8 classrooms, directly restricting educational technology use per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education School Choice

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passed · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 16, 2026

HB 4462: Prohibition on cell-cultured products

HB 4462 bans the sale of cell-cultured food products (like lab-grown meat, eggs, fish, or poultry) for human consumption in West Virginia. It defines these products as those made by growing animal cells in a lab to mimic traditional food items, and removes any requirement for labeling them as "lab-grown" or similar. The bill specifically targets cell-cultured products, not plant-based alternatives (defined as "analogue products"). This is a direct sales prohibition with no new labeling rules for the banned products.

Topics ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBans commercial sale of cell-cultured food technology (lab-grown meat/eggs), directly restricting a specific tech application in food production without labeling requirements.95% confidence

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 20, 2026

HB 4556: Eliminate net metering in WV

HB 4556 would repeal West Virginia's existing net metering rules for public utilities, specifically eliminating Section 24-2F-8 of the state code. This change would directly affect residential and small business customers with solar panels or other renewable energy systems, removing their ability to sell excess electricity back to the grid for credit. The bill’s sole mechanism is the repeal of current net metering provisions, without adding new requirements or standards. It does not create new policy but ends the current framework for utility compensation of customer-generated renewable energy. (Note: As a procedural repeal, this summary is concise per the bill's nature.)

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyRepeals net metering, removing financial incentive for residential solar, directly restricting renewable energy adoption and utility consumer benefits.95% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyRepeals net metering, removing financial incentives for solar adoption and restricting renewable energy technology use.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy Solar

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 29, 2026

HB 4935: Relating to requiring paper ballots in all elections

HB 4935 requires all West Virginia elections to use paper ballots that must be hand-counted, banning electronic voting systems entirely. It also mandates that voters present a government-issued photo ID to be eligible to vote. The bill repeals all existing provisions related to electronic voting systems (sections §3-4A-1 through §3-4A-34) and amends voting standards to enforce these changes. This directly affects all voters in West Virginia elections by changing the voting method and adding an identification requirement.

Topics ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill bans electronic voting systems entirely, restricting technology use in elections. Explicitly repeals electronic voting provisions, opposing tech advancement in voting processes.90% confidence

Tags Elections

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 14, 2026

HB 4135: To allow police access to all photo information upon arrest for sex offenders

HB 4135 amends West Virginia's Sex Offender Registration Act to require registrants (individuals convicted of specified sex offenses) to provide all online identifiers, including social media usernames, email addresses, mobile app accounts, and phone numbers, upon registration. It also mandates that registrants permit police to inspect their mobile devices to verify these identifiers are fully disclosed. The bill directly affects anyone required to register under the Sex Offender Registry Act, adding specific digital footprint requirements beyond existing physical address and vehicle information. These provisions aim to enhance law enforcement's ability to track registrants' online activities by expanding the scope of required digital information.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enhances police monitoring of sex offenders through mandatory digital disclosure, strengthening registration system effectiveness and public safety within criminal justice framework.90% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyRequires sex offenders to disclose digital identifiers and permits police device inspections, weakening privacy protections.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing Social Media

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signed · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jun 29, 2026

HB 4415: Creating crime of attempting to smuggle contraband into federal correctional institutions within the state

HB 4415 amends West Virginia law to explicitly include federal correctional facilities in existing statutes prohibiting the smuggling of prohibited items into correctional settings. The bill makes it a misdemeanor to deliver items like food, clothing, or money without permission (fines up to $500, jail up to 12 months) and a felony to transport weapons, drugs, escape tools, or telecommunications devices (fines $1,000-$5,000, prison 1-10 years). It directly affects individuals attempting to smuggle contraband into federal prisons located within West Virginia, such as visitors, family members, or others delivering unauthorized items. The law updates prior penalties for smuggling into state facilities to apply uniformly to federal correctional institutions.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by imposing penalties for smuggling contraband into correctional facilities, aligning with 'expands criminalization' indicator.85% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyRestricts telecommunications devices in prisons, limiting technology access as specified in felony provisions for transporting such devices.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Telecommunications

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 14, 2026

HB 4060: Businesses in WV must accept cash

HB 4060 requires most West Virginia businesses selling food or goods/services in physical locations to accept cash as payment, prohibiting them from forcing customers to use credit cards or digital payments. This applies to restaurants, retail stores, and similar in-person establishments but excludes online, phone, or mail-order transactions. The West Virginia Treasurer's Office may create exemptions for specific cases, such as very small transactions or certain business types, through regulations. Violating the law could result in a $500 fine for businesses.

Topics ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill restricts digital payment adoption by mandating cash acceptance, opposing tech-driven transaction methods in physical businesses.85% confidence

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 29, 2026

HB 4945: Prohibit the use of electronic devices for learning in all classrooms grades 3 and below

HB 4945 prohibits the use of electronic devices like tablets, laptops, or computers for learning and testing in classrooms for students in grades three and below. The bill directly affects elementary schools, teachers, and students in these grade levels by banning device use during instructional activities. It explicitly excludes calculators from the prohibition. The law aims to limit screen time for young learners during classroom instruction. This is a direct policy change requiring schools to remove such devices from early-grade classrooms for educational purposes.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationProhibits electronic devices in grades 3 and below, restricting classroom technology use during instruction per bill summary.95% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyProhibits electronic devices in K-3 classrooms, directly restricting technology use for learning as stated in the bill's summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education

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

HB 4770: Establishing limitations on the use of artificial intelligence and artificial intelligence technology to deliver mental health care, with exceptions for administrative support functions

HB 4770 prohibits the use of AI companions (systems designed to simulate human relationships through personalized, ongoing emotional interactions) in delivering mental health therapy services. It requires explicit, written consent for any AI use in mental health care, banning such tools from diagnosing, treating, or claiming to treat conditions. The law applies to all health insurance policies issued or renewed after January 1, 2027, affecting mental health providers and insurers. Exceptions allow AI for administrative tasks (e.g., scheduling) but not for direct therapy or emotional engagement.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareRestricts AI use in mental health therapy delivery, requiring consent and banning diagnostic claims - limits AI's role in care, aligning with 'oppose' stance.92% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyProhibits AI companions in mental health therapy, banning diagnostic/treatment use and requiring consent, directly restricting AI technology deployment in healthcare.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Mental Health Artificial Intelligence

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