Veterans (Veteran Education)

passed · West Virginia · Senate Mar 13, 2026

SR 63: Designating March 13, 2026, as Veterans Visibility Day

This Senate Resolution designates March 13, 2026, as Veterans Visibility Day within the West Virginia Legislature. The measure formally recognizes the service and sacrifice of West Virginia veterans and current military personnel, acknowledging the state's high rate of military service and the contributions of those who have served. The resolution directs the Senate Clerk to send a copy to the Department of Veterans Assistance, serving as an official gesture of gratitude rather than establishing new policies or funding.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill formally recognizes veterans' service and sacrifice through official designation, expressing gratitude and acknowledging contributions.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Education

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 9, 2026

HB 5377: Burial Equity Act

HB 5377, the Burial Equity Act, expands eligibility for burial in West Virginia's state veterans' cemetery to include former National Guard and military reserve members (such as IMA, AGR, ART, and TR) who served at least four years, were West Virginia residents for two years before death, or served in the West Virginia National Guard, with retroactive application to deaths after March 15, 2022. It creates a Burial Equity Grant Program administered by Veterans Affairs, providing up to $1,000 per family to cover burial costs on a first-come, first-served basis. The bill also establishes a dedicated Burial Equity Fund in the state treasury, initially funded with $50,000 from the legislature, plus federal funds and private donations, to sustain the grant program without annual budget reversion.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands burial eligibility for veterans' cemetery access to include National Guard/reserve members and funds a $1,000 grant program, directly advancing veteran benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition National Guard & Reserve Veteran Education

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passed · West Virginia · Senate Mar 5, 2026

SB 715: Requiring state agencies give first consideration to veterans and disabled law-enforcement officers when hiring

SB 715 requires West Virginia state agencies and appointing authorities to give first consideration to U.S. military veterans and retired or disabled law enforcement officers during the hiring process for state positions. The bill amends the state's civil service law (§29-6-7) to mandate that these candidates be prioritized in the initial review of job applicants. This policy change applies to all state agency hiring decisions, meaning these groups will be evaluated before others in the selection process. The bill does not guarantee employment but ensures these applicants receive preferential treatment during the early stages of hiring.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransPrioritizes veterans in state hiring through civil service amendments, directly advancing veteran employment opportunities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Education Veteran Employment

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

HB 5579: To waive the one-time $10 fee for a Veterans license plate to any first-time applicants who have an Honorable Discharge from any branch of the United States Military

HB 5579 waives the one-time $10 application fee for West Virginia Veterans license plates for first-time applicants who have received an Honorable Discharge from any branch of the U.S. military. This change directly affects eligible veterans applying for their first military license plate, removing a $10 cost that would otherwise apply. The bill amends state code to specify that the fee is waived for these applicants when they provide required discharge documentation. It does not affect existing plate holders or other plate types, focusing solely on reducing barriers for new veteran license plate applications.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransWaives $10 fee for veterans' license plates, directly reducing costs for eligible veterans with honorable discharge per bill's explicit language.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Education

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

HB 5616: Modifying years of service experience to include service personnel.

HB 5616 modifies how "years of experience" are calculated for teachers and county-employed registered nurses in West Virginia. The bill explicitly adds military service time to the count of experience years if the individual was under a teaching contract at the time of military induction. This change directly affects teachers and nurses whose salary increments under the state minimum pay schedule will now include qualifying military service, aligning with existing provisions for other experience types. The amendment updates the statutory definition in §18A-4-1 of the West Virginia Code without creating new programs or funding.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAdds military service to teacher experience for salary increments, enhancing educator compensation under state pay schedule.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransAdds military service time to experience calculations for teachers/nurses, boosting salary increments for veterans in these professions95% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers Veteran Education

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 10, 2026

HB 5389: Veterans Housing Redevelopment Tax Credit Act

HB 5389 creates a 30% transferable tax credit for nonprofit organizations that convert existing hotels, motels, or commercial buildings into housing for homeless veterans. The credit covers 30% of qualified redevelopment costs (like renovation and infrastructure) but excludes land acquisition, and can be applied against corporate income, personal income, or business franchise taxes. Nonprofits can sell or transfer the unused credit to other taxpayers to generate funding, with credits carrying forward up to 10 years. This aims to incentivize supportive housing without creating new state spending or entitlements, targeting veterans facing homelessness through adaptive reuse of underutilized properties.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates 30% transferable tax credit to fund veteran housing, promoting fiscal responsibility via tax incentives for public service without direct state spending.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates tax credit for nonprofits to convert buildings into housing for homeless veterans, directly advancing affordable housing development for a vulnerable population through funding incentives.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransCreates 30% tax credit for nonprofits converting buildings into housing for homeless veterans, directly funding housing benefits and advancing veteran services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Tax Credits Tax Incentives Affordable Housing Housing Finance Property Taxes Veteran Education Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 15, 2026

HB 4368: Relating to military connected students

HB 4368 defines "military-connected students" as children of active-duty, reserve, or deceased military members and establishes new enrollment and support rules for them in West Virginia schools. The bill allows remote school enrollment without physical registration using military orders (with options for temporary or permanent addresses), ensures equitable access to academic courses and extracurricular activities, and requires schools to provide counseling and support services when a parent is activated for duty. It also mandates prompt coordination for students with disabilities during transfers and permits military-connected students to remain at their school until completing the highest grade level offered there. These provisions directly affect military-connected students, their families, and local education agencies across West Virginia.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes enrollment rules and ensures equitable access to courses/counseling for military-connected students, advancing educational access within K-12.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill provides educational support for children of military members, including deceased veterans, ensuring access to courses and counseling services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Special Education Military Families National Guard & Reserve Veteran Education

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introduced · West Virginia · Senate Jan 14, 2026

SB 159: Adding veteran status as protected class to Human Rights Act

SB 159 adds "veteran status" to the list of protected classes under West Virginia's Human Rights Act. This means employers, labor organizations, and public accommodations (like businesses or service providers) cannot discriminate against individuals based on whether they are veterans. The law prohibits actions such as refusing employment, denying services, or using discriminatory advertising related to veteran status, aligning it with existing protections for categories like race, disability, and age. It does not create new benefits but extends current anti-discrimination safeguards to veterans.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentAdds veteran status as protected class under Human Rights Act, prohibiting employment discrimination and strengthening worker protections against bias in hiring/services.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransAdds veteran status to protected classes under Human Rights Act, prohibiting employment/service discrimination and aligning with existing protections like race/disability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Employment

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

HB 4141: Award military veterans with a “Veterans” license plate

This bill amends West Virginia law to maintain a program exempting honorably discharged U.S. military veterans from vehicle registration fees, with only a $10 initial application fee required. It directly affects veterans, their surviving spouses (who may continue using a deceased veteran's plate), and Gold Star spouses (who receive full fee exemption for one plate). Key provisions include waiving all registration fees beyond the $10 application fee for eligible veterans, allowing multiple vehicles per applicant, and requiring verification of military service. The bill preserves existing special plate options rather than creating a new "Veterans" plate designation.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExempts veterans from registration fees, waiving all fees beyond $10 application, providing financial benefit and recognition for service.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Benefits Veteran Education

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

HB 4399: Relating to disabled veteran taxpayers

HB 4399 clarifies the definition of a "disabled veteran taxpayer" in West Virginia law to ensure consistency for property tax benefits. The bill specifically adds that a disabled veteran must have a 90% or greater service-connected disability rating from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) or qualify for individual unemployability under VA disability ratings. This change directly affects disabled veterans who seek the property tax credit authorized under §11-13MM-4 of the code, as it defines eligibility more precisely. The bill does not alter tax rates or create new benefits, but ensures the existing credit applies only to veterans meeting the clarified VA disability standard.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesClarifies eligibility for existing property tax credit for disabled veterans, ensuring tax relief under current law per §11-13MM-4.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransClarifies eligibility for existing property tax credit, ensuring disabled veterans with 90%+ VA disability ratings access benefits they qualify for.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Credits Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Healthcare

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