Technology (Telecommunications)

signed · West Virginia · Senate Jun 25, 2026

SB 506: Permitting certain use of county-owned wireless tower

This bill authorizes West Virginia county commissions to lease or permit the use of county-owned wireless towers to private entities, provided those entities meet specific security and compliance requirements. The legislation mandates that any lessee must not be associated with foreign adversaries, terrorist organizations, or entities linked to countries supporting terrorism, and must use secure cellular and cyber defense measures that do not threaten critical infrastructure like voting systems. County commissions are required to conduct due diligence before approving any tower use and are granted immunity from liability if they perform this review in good faith. Additionally, the bill prohibits counties from charging fees for tower use by public safety agencies, state departments of transportation, and other state agencies, though counties may recover actual costs for installation and maintenance.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill enhances cybersecurity by mandating secure cellular and cyber defense measures and restricting foreign adversaries from using county wireless infrastructure.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Telecommunications

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 · 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 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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introduced · West Virginia · Senate Jan 14, 2026

SB 213: Providing PSC jurisdiction over internet service providers

SB 213 would give West Virginia's Public Service Commission (PSC) authority to regulate internet service providers (ISPs). The bill requires ISPs to provide reliable, safe service under fair terms and allows customers to file complaints with the PSC about inadequate service or unfair practices. The PSC could enforce these standards by imposing fines of up to $7,000 per violation for non-compliance. This directly affects ISPs operating in West Virginia and their residential and business customers.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRegulates ISPs for consumer protection, requiring reliable service and fair terms, aligning with tech policy support for digital rights and consumer safeguards.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access Telecommunications

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

HB 4631: Internet Reliability Act

HB 4631, the "Internet Reliability Act," reclassifies Internet Service Providers (ISPs) as telecommunications utilities under West Virginia law. This means ISPs operating in the state would fall under the regulatory authority of the Public Service Commission (PSC), similar to traditional phone and cable companies. The bill amends existing law to explicitly include ISPs in the PSC’s jurisdiction for regulating rates, service standards, and other utility-related matters. It does not create new service requirements but clarifies that ISPs will be subject to the same oversight as other telecommunications providers.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyReclassifies ISPs as utilities under PSC for rate/service regulation, enhancing consumer protection in internet access reliability per bill's consumer protection focus.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access Telecommunications

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

HB 4415: Creating crime of attempting to smuggle contraband into federal correctional institutions within the state

HB 4415 amends West Virginia law to explicitly include federal correctional facilities in existing statutes prohibiting the smuggling of prohibited items into correctional settings. The bill makes it a misdemeanor to deliver items like food, clothing, or money without permission (fines up to $500, jail up to 12 months) and a felony to transport weapons, drugs, escape tools, or telecommunications devices (fines $1,000-$5,000, prison 1-10 years). It directly affects individuals attempting to smuggle contraband into federal prisons located within West Virginia, such as visitors, family members, or others delivering unauthorized items. The law updates prior penalties for smuggling into state facilities to apply uniformly to federal correctional institutions.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by imposing penalties for smuggling contraband into correctional facilities, aligning with 'expands criminalization' indicator.85% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyRestricts telecommunications devices in prisons, limiting technology access as specified in felony provisions for transporting such devices.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Telecommunications

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 · Senate Mar 11, 2026

SB 440: Increasing penalty for transporting telecommunication devices into jails

This bill amends West Virginia law to specifically prohibit transporting telecommunications devices (like cell phones) into correctional facilities, including federal prisons. It increases penalties for delivering such devices to inmates or unauthorizedly bringing them onto facility grounds, with felony charges carrying fines up to $5,000 or up to 10 years in prison, and misdemeanor charges for lesser violations. The law directly affects visitors, family members, staff, or others attempting to bring devices into jails or prisons without authorization. It expands existing restrictions by explicitly naming telecommunications devices and updating their definition within the legal framework.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for transporting devices to jails, expanding criminalization and restricting inmate access without reform focus.90% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill explicitly restricts transportation of telecom devices (cell phones) into jails, increasing penalties for unauthorized access. Directly limits technology use in correctional facilities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Telecommunications

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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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