Technology

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

HB 5072: Creating the TechCred Program

HB 5072 creates West Virginia's TechCred Program, which reimburses employers up to $2,000 per employee for training costs to earn approved microcredentials (industry-recognized certifications completed in under a year). Employers must apply with proof of state business registration, tax compliance, and environmental adherence, while employees must be West Virginia residents. The program requires microcredentials to be approved by the higher education chancellor, prohibits employers from requiring continued employment after training, and mandates annual updates to a list of approved training providers. This directly affects West Virginia employers and their employees seeking job-relevant skills through short-term credentialing.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesState funds reimburse employers for training costs, directly increasing government spending on workforce development through fiscal appropriation.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyFunds employer reimbursement for tech microcredentials training, advancing workforce tech skills and digital workforce development.90% confidence

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

HB 5668: Establishing the Central West Virginia Economic Development and Rural Revitalization Act

HB 5668 establishes the Central West Virginia Economic Development and Rural Revitalization Program to address economic challenges in eight specific counties: Webster, Clay, Braxton, Roane, Calhoun, Wirt, Lewis, and Gilmer. The bill creates a state program within the Department of Commerce that provides grants, loans, and technical assistance for projects like business development, infrastructure improvements, broadband expansion, and tourism initiatives. It also introduces a 25% tax credit for businesses making qualified investments in the region that create or retain full-time jobs. Projects must be located in the designated counties and prioritize job creation, private funding leverage, and support for economically distressed communities.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIntroduces 25% tax credit for qualifying projects, providing tax relief to stimulate rural economic development and fund program initiatives.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly includes 'broadband expansion' as eligible project for state grants/loans, directly advancing internet access infrastructure in rural areas.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill funds 'infrastructure improvements' as part of economic development program, directly supporting transportation infrastructure projects in specified counties.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Tax Incentives Broadband Access Tags Economic Development Rural Communities

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

HB 5138: Relating to law enforcement warrant for third party information

HB 5138 requires law enforcement agencies to obtain a warrant before accessing most personal information held by internet and phone companies, such as names, addresses, payment details, and call records. It directly affects law enforcement agencies and telecommunications providers by mandating judicial oversight for these data requests during criminal investigations. The bill allows warrantless access only in specific emergencies (e.g., imminent risk of death, kidnapping, or human trafficking), with subscriber consent, or if the data is publicly accessible. This replaces current practices where such third-party records could often be obtained without a warrant.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires warrants for law enforcement data access, enhancing judicial oversight and protecting civil liberties during investigations per criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates warrants for law enforcement data access, strengthening consumer data privacy protections per bill's core requirement.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Law Enforcement Consumer Data Protection Data Privacy Telecommunications

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

HB 5567: Biometric Information Privacy Act

HB 5567, the Biometric Information Privacy Act, requires private businesses (like retailers or tech companies) to create written policies for securely storing and permanently destroying customers' biometric data - such as fingerprints, facial scans, or voiceprints - within three years of the last interaction or when the data's purpose is fulfilled. It explicitly excludes health-related biometric data (covered under federal HIPAA) and common identifiers like Social Security numbers. The bill mandates that businesses obtain written consent before collecting biometric information and provides individuals with a legal right to sue if their data is mishandled. This law directly affects private entities using biometrics for identification, aiming to prevent irreversible identity theft risks by regulating how such sensitive data is managed.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates secure handling of biometric data, strengthening privacy protections for consumers against tech companies' data practices95% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection

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

HB 5130: Permitting civil remedies for the unauthorized disclosure of intimate images

HB 5130 creates a civil legal remedy for West Virginia residents whose intimate images (such as photos showing uncovered genitals, pubic areas, or sexual conduct) are shared without their consent. It allows affected individuals to sue if they suffered harm from an intentional disclosure they did not consent to, the image was private, and they were identifiable. The bill includes exceptions for disclosures to law enforcement, reporting unlawful conduct, or matters of public interest, while protecting plaintiffs' privacy through sealed court filings. Remedies include compensation for economic damages, emotional distress, and other harms caused by the unauthorized sharing.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill establishes civil remedies for non-consensual sharing of intimate images, directly strengthening data privacy protections for digital personal content.95% confidence

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

HB 5205: Requiring the State Board of Education to create model policies on the use of technology and artifical intelligence in a public school classroom

HB 5205 requires West Virginia's State Board of Education to develop model policies for technology and artificial intelligence (AI) use in public school classrooms. It directly affects all K-12 public schools (including district, charter, and specialized schools), county education boards, teachers, and parents. Key provisions include mandating that instructional technology must support learning without distracting students, minimizing non-essential screen time, requiring transparency for parents about digital tools used, and adopting an AI-specific policy by July 2027. The bill also sets criteria for technology approval, such as evidence of educational value and safety for student development, and requires public hearings before county boards adopt policies.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates model policies for AI/tech use in classrooms to support learning, minimize distractions, and ensure parental transparency, strengthening educational technology standards.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates transparency for parents and minimizes non-essential screen time, promoting responsible AI/tech use in schools while protecting student privacy.90% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Artificial Intelligence

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

HB 4240: Relating to authorizing the Commissioner of Financial Institutions to promulgate a legislative rule relating to the Fintech Regulatory Sandbox Program.

HB 4240 authorizes West Virginia's Commissioner of Financial Institutions to establish a specific regulatory rule (106 CSR 21) for the state's Fintech Regulatory Sandbox Program. This procedural bill directly affects fintech companies seeking to test new financial products in a controlled environment and the Commissioner's office, which gains authority to create the program's operational rules. The key mechanism is the formal authorization to promulgate the existing rule (106 CSR 21), which outlines how the sandbox program will operate. The bill does not change substantive policy but enables the Commissioner to implement the program's framework.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyAuthorizes a fintech regulatory sandbox program, enabling controlled testing of financial tech innovations, directly advancing tech sector development and regulatory flexibility.95% confidence

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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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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

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing