Veterans (Memorials & Recognition) in West Virginia

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

HCR 31: Urging the United States Congress to recognize United States Armed Forces members who served in Honduras from 1981 to 1992 by authorizing the issuance of the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal.

This bill asks the U.S. Congress to authorize the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for U.S. military personnel who served in Honduras between 1981 and 1992. It is based on the claim that American troops faced hostile conditions during this period, including combat training and exposure to gunfire, resulting in at least 46 deaths. The resolution urges federal lawmakers to recognize these veterans with a medal similar to those awarded for service in other hostile environments. If adopted, the bill would require action by the U.S. Congress to change existing military award policies.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition National Guard & Reserve

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 ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Education

passed · West Virginia · Senate Mar 3, 2026

SR 56: Honoring Sergeant First Class Bill Brown for his distinguished military service

This Senate resolution honors Sergeant First Class Bill Brown of Beckley, West Virginia, for his distinguished military service during the Vietnam War. The bill formally recognizes his three tours of duty in Southeast Asia, where he served in command roles and was severely wounded in 1971, resulting in a bilateral leg amputation. It acknowledges his receipt of 16 military medals, including the Silver Star and a rare South Vietnamese award, and directs the Senate Clerk to send a copy of the resolution to him.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition

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

HB 5303: Supplemental Appropriation to the Department of Veterans’ Assistance - Veterans’ Facilities Support Fund from Special Revenue.

HB 5303 adds $1.8 million in supplemental funding to the Department of Veterans’ Assistance' Veterans’ Facilities Support Fund (Fund 6703) for fiscal year 2026. This appropriation uses unspent money from the original budget to support veterans' facilities operations and maintenance. The bill directly affects the Department of Veterans’ Assistance and the facilities it manages, providing additional resources without creating new policies or programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Memorials & Recognition Veteran Housing

passed · West Virginia · Senate Feb 13, 2026

SB 704: Prohibiting certain compensation for advising or assisting with veterans benefits

SB 704 prohibits most compensation for assisting veterans with benefits claims, directly affecting advocates, attorneys, and support organizations who help veterans navigate the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) system. Key provisions require written fee agreements filed with the VA, ban guarantees of specific benefit amounts, prohibit charging for services before a VA decision, and forbid contingent fees for medical evidence or testimony. The bill also restricts excessive fees and mandates compliance with federal fee guidelines (38 C.F.R. § 14.636). It does not override federal law but adds state-level safeguards to prevent exploitative practices in veterans' benefits assistance.

Topics ✗ Veterans

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare

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 ✓ Veterans

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

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 ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Education

passed · West Virginia · Senate Feb 19, 2026

SB 824: Supplementary appropriation to Department of Veterans' Assistance, fund 6703

This bill provides $25,800 in additional funding from unspent state funds to the Department of Veterans' Assistance for building maintenance and repairs under the Veterans’ Facilities Support Fund (Fund 6703). It directly affects veterans' facilities by supplementing existing resources for facility upkeep, using a balance remaining unappropriated for fiscal year 2026. The funding is drawn from the existing $1,800,000 balance in the fund, not new money. The bill was introduced at the Governor’s request to support veterans' infrastructure needs.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Memorials & Recognition Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 2, 2026

HB 5017: Establishing a one-time American Legion Post Support Grant Program

HB 5017 creates a one-time $10 million grant program administered by West Virginia's Department of Veterans Assistance to support active American Legion posts across the state. It requires the department to distribute equal amounts to all eligible posts (those maintaining good standing and operating as of January 1 of the fiscal year) without requiring applications or matching funds. Grant funds may cover building maintenance, equipment, utilities, or veteran services, but cannot be used for political activities or personal compensation. The program expires after funds are distributed and a final report is submitted to the legislature, with posts required to report fund usage within 12 months.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Benefits

in committee · West Virginia · Senate Jan 28, 2026

SB 653: Placing statue of remembrance in rotunda

SB 653 directs the West Virginia Department of Administration to place a statue honoring U.S. Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom in a corner of the Capitol rotunda. The bill specifies that the statue must include her military awards, birth date, and death date, and authorizes using existing funds from the "capitol renovation and improvement fund" for the project. This is a commemorative measure with no policy changes or direct impact on citizens or legislation.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition

All veterans bills