Technology

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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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 21, 2026

HB 4628: Protecting Everyone from Excessive Police Surveillance (PEEPS) Act

HB 4628, the PEEPS Act, requires West Virginia law enforcement agencies to obtain a warrant before accessing historical location data (such as license plate records, cell tower logs, or traffic camera footage) about people or vehicles. Exceptions include when a vehicle owner reports a theft, for traffic enforcement, toll collection, or in immediate emergencies where a warrant cannot be secured. The bill mandates that agencies encrypt this data, prohibit sharing or selling it to private companies, and maintain detailed records of all access requests with supervisor approval. This law directly affects police departments and government entities that collect location information, aiming to limit unwarranted surveillance while allowing specific public safety uses.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires warrants for police access to location data, enhancing accountability and protecting civil rights in law enforcement, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires warrants for location data access, mandates encryption, prohibits sharing with private companies - directly protects data privacy under technology policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing Telecommunications Tags Public Safety

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

HB 4748: Relating to creating a digital wallet to collect and organize learning and employment records

HB 4748 creates a digital wallet within West Virginia's Secretary of State business portal, allowing residents to store and organize their learning records (like degrees), employment history, certifications, and professional licenses. Individuals must upload and verify their own records; the Secretary of State will provide the secure platform by January 1, 2027, and contractors handling the system must safeguard data and cannot sell or share it. The digital wallet’s contents are exempt from public records requests under West Virginia law, and users can request secure deletion of their information.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill establishes secure digital wallet requiring data safeguarding and prohibiting data sale/share, directly protecting user privacy and enabling digital record management.95% confidence

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passed · West Virginia · Senate Mar 5, 2026

SB 540: Relating to audio recording during CPS investigation

SB 540 requires Child Protective Services (CPS) workers in West Virginia to wear body-worn cameras during investigations of child abuse or neglect, but only after obtaining consent from the person being investigated in private settings where privacy is expected. CPS workers may skip using the camera if it would compromise a child's privacy or hinder the investigation, but they must document the reason in the case file. All audio and video recordings must be kept confidential, stored until all appeals are resolved, and treated as part of the official child welfare record, not subject to public disclosure. This bill directly affects CPS workers and individuals involved in child welfare investigations.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates confidentiality and consent for body camera recordings, protecting data privacy (key aspect of technology policy) in CPS investigations.80% confidence

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in committee · West Virginia · Senate Jan 29, 2026

SB 658: Relating to certified microgrid district projects and certified high impact data center projects

Senate Bill 658 establishes a framework for "certified microgrid districts" and "certified high-impact data center projects" in West Virginia, directly affecting developers of these facilities and local governments. The bill prohibits counties and municipalities from imposing local zoning, building permits, or other regulatory requirements on these certified projects, centralizing oversight under the state Department of Commerce. However, project owners must still pay standard local taxes and fees, including business taxes, sales taxes, property taxes, and utility charges, at the same rates as other businesses. The bill aims to streamline development of these projects while preserving local revenue streams through existing tax structures.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyStreamlines data center development by removing local regulatory barriers, advancing tech infrastructure for high-impact projects.90% confidence

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in committee · West Virginia · Senate Feb 6, 2026

SB 70: Protecting state and local government systems and data from foreign entities

SB 70 prohibits West Virginia state agencies and their employees or contractors (except law enforcement officers acting in their official capacity) from using or accessing social media platforms, applications, or artificial intelligence tools owned by entities located in "foreign countries of concern" (nations designated by U.S. regulations as adversaries). The bill bans downloading, using, or accessing such foreign-owned software on state-owned or leased internet-capable devices, including social media platforms owned by entities in designated adversary nations. It includes a waiver process allowing the Secretary of State to grant exceptions for specific job duties. The law aims to protect state government systems, citizen data, and access to government services from potential cyberattacks or surveillance by foreign entities.

Topics ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyRestricts use of foreign-owned tech on government devices to enhance cybersecurity, limiting specific technology access per bill's explicit prohibitions.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence Social Media

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

HB 4846: Relating to valuation of specialized high-technology property

HB 4846 changes how certain high-technology property is taxed in West Virginia by valuing qualifying servers and equipment at their scrap value (instead of full market value) for property tax purposes. It applies only to assets over $100 million owned by businesses in high-tech or internet advertising sectors, as defined by existing law. This reduces the taxable value of these assets, directly lowering property tax bills for qualifying businesses. The bill does not alter tax rates but modifies the valuation method for specific high-value technology assets.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill reduces tax revenue by lowering taxable value for high-tech businesses, creating targeted tax break for wealthy entities rather than supporting public finances.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill reduces property taxes for qualifying tech businesses via scrap value valuation, providing direct financial support to high-tech sector growth.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Property Tax

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in committee · West Virginia · Senate Jan 27, 2026

SB 628: Prohibiting online distribution of pornographic material to minors

SB 628 requires commercial websites distributing material harmful to minors (defined as pornographic content appealing to minors' prurient interests and lacking serious value) to verify users are 18+ using age-verification tools. It directly affects websites hosting such content by mandating age checks before access, with violations triggering civil liability for damages and legal fees. The bill excludes liability for internet service providers (e.g., hosting platforms) and focuses on content distributors. This policy change aims to prevent minors from accessing prohibited material online through mandatory age verification.

Topics ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyMandates age verification tools for websites, restricting content distribution to minors - a technological restriction on platform operations.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection Online Safety Social Media

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

HB 4854: Prohibiting the state or any political subdivision from subsidizing any data center in West Virginia

HB 4854 prohibits the State of West Virginia and any local government from providing financial subsidies to data centers operating within the state. It directly affects data center operators and state/local governments that might have considered offering tax breaks or other financial incentives. The bill's key provision, stated in Section (f), explicitly bans all state or political subdivision subsidies for data centers. This policy change removes the possibility of public funding support for data center development in West Virginia, regardless of the data centers' economic or national security arguments outlined in the bill's findings.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBans state subsidies for data centers, restricting government spending on tax incentives and fiscal support for private entities.95% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBans state subsidies for data centers, restricting financial support to a core technology infrastructure sector.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Incentives

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