Technology

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 28, 2026

HB 4868: West Virginia Consumer Privacy Act of 2026

HB 4868, the West Virginia Consumer Privacy Act of 2026, requires businesses like financial institutions, creditors, mortgage lenders, and brokers to obtain explicit "opt-in" consent from consumers before disclosing or selling their personal financial information. It directly affects West Virginia consumers who apply for credit or engage in financial transactions, granting them the right to know what data is shared and control its use. Key provisions mandate clear disclosure of data practices, prevent unauthorized sharing, and impose fines of up to $10,000 per violation for non-compliance. The bill aims to strengthen privacy protections against identity theft and deceptive practices by giving consumers active control over their financial information.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires opt-in consent for data sharing, mandating transparency and consumer control over personal financial data, directly strengthening privacy protections under tech policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection Data Privacy

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

HB 4097: To create the Protection of Shared Physical and Digital Property from Warrantless Searches Act

HB 4097, the "Protection of Shared Physical and Digital Property from Warrantless Searches Act," requires government agents to obtain a warrant based on probable cause or a person’s consent before accessing information shared with third parties (like banks or cloud services) when obtaining goods or services. It directly affects West Virginia residents whose personal data is held by third parties for commercial purposes, such as financial records or online accounts. The bill defines "digital property" and "physical property" to include information shared for services, and prohibits warrantless searches of this shared information, overturning the "Third Party Doctrine" that previously allowed government access without warrants. This law would take effect upon passage, creating a new legal standard for government access to shared personal data.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires warrants for third-party digital data access, strengthening privacy protections for cloud/bank data held by West Virginia residents.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Data Privacy

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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

Sub-Topics Data Privacy

signed · West Virginia · Senate Jun 25, 2026

SB 228: Relating to use of technology in child abuse and neglect investigations

SB 228 establishes a two-county pilot program requiring child protective services workers in West Virginia to use mobile devices (like tablets) during child abuse and neglect investigations. The bill mandates that these devices must create digital records in real time, automatically upload data daily to department servers, and meet specific technical requirements for security and interoperability with existing systems. The pilot, starting October 2027, requires mobile technology use in at least 70% of cases in the participating counties and runs for five years. The Department of Human Services must report annually on the program’s progress to the Legislative Oversight Commission.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates security standards for mobile devices in investigations, enhancing cybersecurity protocols for real-time data handling and interoperability.95% confidence

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

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introduced · West Virginia · Senate Jan 14, 2026

SB 50: Providing all coal severance tax be provided to county that produced coal

This bill redirects a portion of West Virginia's coal severance tax to the specific counties where coal is mined. Starting in 2012, it gradually increases the share sent to coal-producing counties (from 1% to 5% of the tax), with an annual cap of $20 million. Counties must use these funds exclusively for economic development or infrastructure projects like roads, broadband, mine reclamation, or water systems - barring personal services or bond costs. It ensures local communities directly benefit from coal extracted within their borders.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects severance tax revenue to coal counties for local economic development and infrastructure, directly allocating state tax funds to targeted budget uses.90% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyRedirects coal severance tax to coal-producing counties for infrastructure, directly supporting fossil fuel energy production and local economic development tied to coal.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly permits use of funds for broadband infrastructure, directly expanding internet access as a permitted economic development project.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill explicitly allocates funds for road infrastructure (listed as eligible use) and mandates county spending on transportation-related projects like roads.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Coal Broadband Access

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

HB 4909: Relating to consumer protection from fraudulent telephone solicitation

HB 4909 prohibits deceptive telephone solicitation in West Virginia by requiring prior written consent for automated calls (like robocalls) and banning caller ID spoofing, blocking, or calls between 8 PM and 8 AM. It directly affects consumers (protecting them from scams), businesses (requiring consent for sales calls), and telecom providers (mandating anti-spoofing technology like STIR/SHAKEN within 12 months). Violators face civil penalties of $100 per spoofed call, full reimbursement for customer damages, and a 5x restitution fee - 75% of which funds local fire and emergency medical services. Exemptions include charities, business-to-business calls, and communications within existing customer relationships.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates anti-spoofing tech (STIR/SHAKEN) for telecom providers to prevent fraud, directly enhancing cybersecurity and protecting consumer data privacy from deceptive calls.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Telecommunications Tags Consumer Protection

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passed · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 30, 2026

HCR 4: Requesting the Joint Committee on Technology & Infrastructure to establish a Genesis Working Group to coordinate statewide planning for artificial intelligence, high-performance computing, digital infrastructure, and energy-based economic development

HCR 4 requests West Virginia's Joint Committee on Technology & Infrastructure to establish a Genesis Working Group. This group will coordinate statewide planning for artificial intelligence, high-performance computing, digital infrastructure, and energy-based economic development, aligning with federal initiatives. The working group will focus on state readiness, energy-resource integration, broadband expansion, and site identification for digital infrastructure projects. The resolution does not create new laws but directs state agencies and legislators to collaborate on strategic planning.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly establishes working group to coordinate statewide planning including 'broadband expansion', directly advancing internet access (key technology policy area).90% confidence

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence Broadband Access

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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

Tags Children

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

HB 4496: To force any media/internet creator providing artificial intelligence created videos to have an identifying marker that allows viewers to know that the video is not real.

HB 4496 requires creators and distributors of AI-generated media (such as videos, audio, or images) to include clear, visible disclosures identifying the content as artificial intelligence-generated. This applies to any public-facing media created or materially altered by AI, mandating specific disclosures like a 3-second on-screen label for videos or a spoken statement for audio content. Exceptions include internal research, basic AI-assisted editing (e.g., spell-check), and privately shared personal content. Violations could result in civil penalties of up to $100,000 per day for organizations or $1,000 per day for individuals.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates disclosures for AI-generated media to prevent deception, aligning with consumer protection in digital rights. Does not restrict technology but regulates its use for transparency, supporting responsible tech development.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence Consumer Data Protection

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