Technology

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

HB 5634: To create the Last-Mile Broadband for Coalfield Counties Act.

HB 5634, the Last-Mile Broadband for Coalfield Counties Act, aims to expand high-speed internet access in specific West Virginia counties historically tied to coal mining. It directly affects residents and institutions in "coalfield counties" (defined as areas with historical or current economic ties to coal mining) by prioritizing broadband deployment to schools, emergency services, and unserved communities. The bill requires projects to verify service availability and speed through testing, with preference given to regional efforts involving local governments. It establishes a formal framework for broadband expansion but does not specify funding sources or timelines.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly expands high-speed internet access in underserved coalfield counties through targeted broadband deployment to schools and emergency services, directly advancing technology infrastructure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access Telecommunications Tags Rural Communities

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in committee · West Virginia · Senate Feb 20, 2026

SB 1032: Clarifying Office of Broadband coordinate with Consumer Protection Division on certain consumer complaints

This bill requires West Virginia's Office of Broadband to coordinate with the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division on specific consumer complaints about broadband service. It establishes clear rules for broadband providers, including giving subscribers credits for service interruptions over 24 hours, banning discrimination based on protected characteristics, and mandating 30 days' written notice before rate increases. Providers must also inform customers about unresolved billing or service disputes and provide written notice of complaint resolution processes. This directly affects broadband companies and their subscribers across West Virginia, ensuring consistent handling of consumer issues between state agencies.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires broadband providers to address complaints, provide outage credits, ban discrimination, and mandate notice for rate hikes - strengthening consumer protections in internet access and service reliability.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access Tags Consumer Protection

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

HB 5438: To modify the foundation allowance to improve instructional programs.

HB 5438 modifies West Virginia's school funding formula to direct additional resources toward instructional improvements and technology. It allocates 10% of the local share increase for instructional programs (with $150,000 minimum per county) and 20% for instructional technology (with $30,000 minimum per county), both calculated based on attendance and enrollment data. County school boards may use up to 50% of instructional funds for hiring educators or technology specialists, subject to state superintendent approval, but cannot increase central office staff beyond four positions. The bill also requires funding for the Third Grade Success Act and allows county boards to use allocated funds for Safe Schools Fund projects. This directly affects all West Virginia county school districts and their budgeting for classroom programs and technology resources.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates specific percentages of funds (10% for instructional programs, 20% for tech) toward education, directly increasing targeted government spending within the state budget.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates 10% and 20% of funds for instructional programs/tech with minimum county requirements, directing resources toward improving K-12 education.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyAllocates 20% of funds for instructional technology with $30,000 minimum per county, directly advancing tech resources in schools.85% confidence

Sub-Topics School Funding

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 5, 2026

HB 5236: The purpose of this bill is to ensure compliance with state law requiring ballot tabulating equipment to not be connected to the internet, by requiring random inspections by the Secretary of State, including all necessary reporting.

HB 5236 requires county commissions to inspect all ballot tabulating equipment one week before in-person voting to confirm no internet connectivity (no modems or SIM cards installed) and that equipment is properly sealed. It also mandates the Secretary of State to randomly audit 10% of tabulating equipment in at least five counties 14 days before elections, verifying the same internet connectivity requirements. Both inspections require detailed written reports documenting findings, including verification of no internet components, sealing status, and any necessary corrective actions. This bill directly affects county election officials and the Secretary of State by adding mandatory pre-election verification steps to enforce existing law prohibiting internet-connected voting equipment.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates inspections to prevent internet connectivity in ballot machines, directly enhancing election cybersecurity per bill's requirements.95% confidence

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 10, 2026

HB 5408: Relating to personal information disclosure

HB 5408 would require West Virginia government entities (such as state agencies, counties, and municipalities) to obtain a court-issued warrant before sharing personal information for federal immigration enforcement. Before disclosing such data, agencies must verify with requesters - under penalty of perjury - whether the information is sought for immigration enforcement and, if so, demand a warrant from a federal or state court. The bill also mandates annual reports to the attorney general and legislature detailing the number of immigration-related requests received and how they were handled. This law directly affects local and state agencies that handle personal data, including law enforcement and social services departments.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires warrants for immigration data sharing, protecting civil liberties and enhancing law enforcement accountability in data disclosure practices90% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationRequires warrant for state sharing of data with federal immigration authorities, limiting state cooperation and protecting immigrant privacy.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires warrants for government disclosure of personal data, strengthening data privacy protections under technology policy framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement Driver Licenses & IDs Enforcement Sanctuary Policies Data Privacy

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 16, 2026

HB 5611: Certified Microgrid Program

HB 5611 creates a "Certified Microgrid Program" to streamline development of microgrid projects and large data centers in West Virginia. It directly affects data center developers and microgrid operators by prohibiting local governments from applying zoning, building permits, or other local regulations to these certified projects. The bill requires the Department of Commerce to appoint a "Data Economy Liaison" to coordinate project development and mandates that certified projects pay standard municipal business taxes. This law overrides local ordinances and home rule authority to ensure uniform state-level support for these projects.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill creates Certified Microgrid Program to streamline development of microgrid projects, advancing clean energy infrastructure deployment by removing regulatory barriers.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill removes local regulatory barriers for data center/microgrid projects, directly advancing tech infrastructure development through streamlined approvals and a dedicated liaison role.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Resilience

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 16, 2026

HB 5551: Protecting State Licensing and ID Act

HB 5551 requires West Virginia to continue issuing non-REAL ID compliant driver's licenses and ID cards, clearly marked "NOT FOR REAL ID ACT PURPOSES," which remain valid for all state purposes like driving and identity verification. The bill prohibits the state from collecting biometric data (such as facial scans or fingerprints), retaining copies of identity documents (like birth certificates or Social Security cards), or sharing personal information from these licenses with federal or interstate databases. It mandates that applicants be informed of their choice between REAL ID and non-REAL ID options and provided with a list of TSA-acceptable IDs, while banning digital IDs and requiring physical licenses for all purposes. The law also prohibits state agencies from entering agreements that conflict with these protections.

Topics ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationBill prohibits sharing driver's license data with federal authorities, limiting state cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProhibits biometric data collection and sharing, directly protecting data privacy under technology topic95% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licenses & IDs Consumer Data Protection Data Privacy

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 5, 2026

HB 5263: Relating to use of credit scores in applications for insurance

HB 5263 prohibits West Virginia insurers from using credit scores or the number of credit inquiries to deny or rate auto liability or homeowners insurance applications. It specifically bans credit scoring as a factor in determining rates for these policies and prevents insurers from relying on disputed or potentially inaccurate credit information. The bill directly affects applicants seeking auto or homeowners insurance in West Virginia by removing credit history as a criterion for coverage decisions. This policy change ensures insurers must base rate decisions on other underwriting factors, not credit-related data.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill restricts insurers from using credit scores (personal data) in underwriting, directly protecting data privacy which aligns with technology topic's focus.85% confidence

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 16, 2026

HB 5620: To restore local control in the decision making process in regard to data centers

HB 5620 would limit local government authority over "certified high impact data center" projects by blocking counties and municipalities from enforcing zoning, building permits, licensing, or other local regulations for these facilities. The bill requires the Department of Commerce to designate a "Data Economy Liaison" to coordinate with data center developers and mandates that certified projects pay standard municipal business taxes. It applies only to data centers certified by the Commerce Secretary under this law, not all data centers. The bill is pending in the House Judiciary Committee as introduced on February 16, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates certified data centers pay standard municipal business taxes, ensuring tax revenue collection without defunding local services.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill removes local regulatory barriers for data centers, facilitating tech infrastructure development without restricting data privacy or cybersecurity policies.85% confidence

Tags Local Government

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

HB 5656: Relating to additional compensation of clerk of the county commission for additional duties.

HB 5656 would provide West Virginia county clerks with an annual $15,000 supplement for expanded election-related duties. The bill requires clerks to perform specific new responsibilities, including administering municipal elections (since 2024), maintaining voter registration rolls, meeting cybersecurity standards for voting systems, and fulfilling federal HAVA grant reporting requirements. County commissions must pay this supplement only after the Secretary of State verifies clerks met all performance benchmarks annually. This applies to clerks handling duties transferred from circuit clerks in 2002 and expanded under recent state laws. The bill does not change existing compensation structures but adds this specific supplement for defined election administration responsibilities.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates cybersecurity standards for voting systems under HAVA, strengthening election security protocols for county clerks.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Cybersecurity

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