Technology

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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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 19, 2026

HB 4509: Relating to restoring local jurisdiction to state political subdivisions over certain electric power facilities.

HB 4509 prohibits counties and municipalities from imposing local zoning, building permits, licensing, or other regulations on certified microgrid districts and certified high impact data centers. It bans local governments from enacting ordinances that restrict the development, operation, or expansion of these specific projects. The bill designates a "Data Economy Liaison" at the Department of Commerce to coordinate with developers and expedite project approvals. This measure removes local regulatory authority over these projects, directly affecting county/municipal governments and the owners of certified microgrid and data center facilities.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill removes local regulatory barriers for microgrid districts and data centers, facilitating energy infrastructure development per electric power facility focus.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill removes local restrictions on data centers (key tech infrastructure), designates Data Economy Liaison to expedite approvals, directly facilitating tech development and growth.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Resilience

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in committee · West Virginia · Senate Jan 16, 2026

SB 454: Stop Non-Consensual Distribution of Intimate Deep Fake Media Act

SB 454, the "Stop Non-Consensual Distribution of Intimate Deep Fake Media Act," makes it illegal to intentionally distribute deep fake media falsely depicting a person engaging in sexual conduct without their consent, specifically when done to harass, coerce, or damage their reputation. The law applies to anyone distributing such content (e.g., through social media or sharing), while excluding constitutionally protected speech like political satire or works with clear disclaimers that the media is manipulated. Violations carry penalties of up to $10,000 fines or five years in prison for repeat offenses, with lesser penalties for other cases, and allow courts to issue restraining orders to stop ongoing distribution. This directly affects individuals whose images are misused without consent and those creating or sharing non-consensual deep fakes.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates new criminal offense for non-consensual deepfake distribution, protecting victims from harassment and reputation harm under criminal law95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyCriminalizes non-consensual deepfake distribution, protecting privacy from technology-enabled harassment and reputational harm.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Human Trafficking Artificial Intelligence Social Media

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 6, 2026

HB 4624: To permit the county commission of each county to lease, rent or to permit the use of a county owned wireless tower or any portion thereof, with exceptions

HB 4624 allows West Virginia county commissions to lease, rent, or permit the use of county-owned wireless towers (or parts of them) to private companies or organizations, while requiring them to provide free access to public safety operations (like 911, police, and fire departments), the West Virginia Department of Highways, and other state agencies. Counties may charge fees for tower use by non-exempt entities but cannot levy charges for the specified public safety and state agency uses. The bill also permits counties to establish rules for managing such leases and optionally create panels to oversee tower allocations. This legislation directly affects county governments, private wireless providers, and state/local public safety agencies by clarifying tower leasing authority and access requirements.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyEnables leasing of wireless towers to expand infrastructure access, mandates free public safety access, supporting technology infrastructure development.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Telecommunications

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 22, 2026

HB 4757: Establishing privacy regarding medical treatments

HB 4757 (West Virginia, 2026) prohibits requiring patients to receive, be administered, or disclose medical treatment history unless the manufacturer of the medical product is liable for death or serious injury caused by it. The bill directly affects patients and healthcare providers by blocking mandatory treatments or disclosure of medical product use, applying to all medical devices, drugs, and biologics. Its key mechanism requires manufacturer liability as a condition before any medical product use or disclosure can be mandated. The bill aims to establish privacy rights around medical treatments but does not create new penalties or enforcement procedures.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProtects patient privacy by prohibiting mandatory disclosure of medical treatment history unless manufacturer liable for harm, aligning with patient rights in healthcare policy.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill protects patient data privacy by prohibiting mandatory disclosure of medical treatment history, directly aligning with data privacy as a core technology policy area.95% confidence

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in committee · West Virginia · Senate Jan 27, 2026

SB 623: Establishing economic incentives for data centers to locate within WV

SB 623, titled the "West Virginia-Powered Data Center Incentive Act," creates new economic incentives for *new* data centers to locate in West Virginia by offering reduced property taxes and a tax credit for coal-fired electric utilities supplying them with power. To qualify, data centers must meet specific eligibility criteria and apply through a state process, with incentives requiring ongoing compliance to avoid recapture. The bill aims to attract data center investment to generate jobs, boost economic growth, and support West Virginia's coal industry by leveraging its coal-generated electricity infrastructure.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesOffers reduced property taxes and tax credits for qualifying data centers, providing targeted tax relief to attract investment and stimulate economic development.95% confidence ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill provides tax credits for coal-fired utilities supplying data centers, explicitly favoring fossil fuels over renewable energy development.90% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentPromotes coal-powered data centers, increasing fossil fuel reliance and opposing environmental protections by incentivizing coal use without emission controls.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProvides tax incentives for data center investment, advancing tech infrastructure development without addressing privacy/cybersecurity directly.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Tax Incentives Coal Tags Economic Development

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 27, 2026

HB 4843: Relating to consumer protection and the collection of certain personally identifiable information.

HB 4843 prohibits businesses in West Virginia from using scanner technology to collect personal details like driver's license numbers, Social Security numbers, or medical history during consumer transactions - except for verifying age. The bill defines "scanner technology" as devices that capture license barcodes/magnetic strips, print age results, store transaction records, and transfer data, banning their use for collecting non-age PII. It directly affects retailers, bars, or any business using such scanners for age verification or data collection. Violations are classified as unfair or deceptive business practices under West Virginia law, creating enforceable penalties. The bill focuses solely on restricting specific scanner technology, not general data privacy rules.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProhibits businesses from collecting sensitive PII via scanner tech, directly protecting consumer data privacy per bill's intent.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection Data Privacy Online Safety

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

HB 4163: FOIA Database

HB 4163 requires all West Virginia public agencies to maintain a publicly accessible online database tracking Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests and outcomes. It protects the privacy of individuals making FOIA requests by mandating that their names, contact details, and other personal information be redacted from all public records and databases. Agencies must update their online FOIA logs within 90 days of the law’s passage and face penalties, including potential damages of up to $5,000 per violation, for failing to redact personal information. This bill directly affects government agencies handling FOIA requests and all residents who submit such requests.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates redaction of personal data in FOIA database, directly protecting data privacy (key tech policy area) while creating digital transparency system.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Data Privacy Tags Government Transparency

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

HB 4201: Relating to authorizing the Office of Technology to promulgate a legislative rule relating to cyber reporting.

This bill authorizes West Virginia's Office of Technology to finalize and implement a specific legislative rule (163 CSR 03) regarding cyber incident reporting. It directly affects the Office of Technology, which will manage the rule, and entities required to report cyber incidents under this rule. The key provision formally approves the rule - previously modified to address committee feedback - after it was initially filed in July 2025 and refiled in August 2025. The rule establishes standards for how organizations must report cyber incidents to the state. This is a procedural authorization for an existing rule, not a new policy.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyAuthorizes mandatory cyber incident reporting standards, enhancing cybersecurity transparency and response protocols for covered entities.95% confidence

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