West Virginia Bill Book

The bill would let employers avoid being sued and not pay health costs for workers whose drug‑related crimes were erased.

Citizens could lose the ability to hold employers accountable for drug‑related harms and may be left without health coverage if they relapse, so they should speak up now.

Employers

• Accountability (hurts) — Employer liability limited. Reduces ability to sue employers for employee actions.
• Rights & Protections (hurts) — Right to sue reduced. Limits employee's legal recourse against employer.
• Who Bears the Cost (hurts) — Health costs shifted to employee. Employers not required to cover addiction‑related health expenses.
• Process Transparency (neutral) — Database and court cross‑reference required. Adds a reporting system but does not increase public oversight.
• Funding Tilt (neutral) — No new funding. Bill does not allocate money for any program.

• Official text (WV SB35)http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/Bills_history.cfm?input=35&year=2026&sessiontype=RS&btype=bill
• LegiScan — SB35https://legiscan.com/WV/bill/SB35/2026

This bill lets coal and gas companies pay less in state taxes just for buying their own mining equipment, which leaves less money for public services.

This bill is a giant tax giveaway to the coal and natural gas industries. Normally, these companies pay a special tax when they take resources out of the ground. That money helps pay for things everyone needs, like schools and parks. While the bill does reward companies for fixing public roads, it also lets them skip paying taxes just for buying the normal equipment they need to run their own private businesses. When big companies pay less, regular people end up footing the bill for state services. Now is the time to tell lawmakers to protect the state budget.

Coal and Natural Gas Companies

• Accountability (hurts) — Allows fossil fuel companies to avoid paying their normal share of state taxes.. The bill creates a credit against the severance tax for private capital investments.
• Rights & Protections (neutral) — Does not directly affect legal rights or consumer protections.. The bill is focused entirely on corporate tax credits.
• Who Bears the Cost (hurts) — Shifts the burden of funding state services away from large corporations and onto regular taxpayers.. Reduces severance tax revenue by granting credits for purchasing private mining equipment like bulldozers and excavators.
• Process Transparency (neutral) — Creates a standard application process for the tax credits.. Requires filing an application with the Secretary of Transportation and Tax Commissioner.
• Funding Tilt (hurts) — Directs state wealth back into the pockets of the fossil fuel industry.. Subsidizes private business expenses like mine shafts, conveyor belts, and continuous miners.

Pushing for it: Coal and natural gas companies
Bearing the cost: West Virginia state budget

• Official text (WV SB131)http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/Bills_history.cfm?input=131&year=2026&sessiontype=RS&btype=bill
• LegiScan — SB131https://legiscan.com/WV/bill/SB131/2026

Banks in West Virginia could not refuse service to gun makers or sellers, and could be sued if they do.

The bill would protect gun shops from being cut off by banks, but it could raise costs for banks and limit their ability to choose customers.

Firearms industry

• Accountability (helps) — Adds civil penalties and AG enforcement.. Banks can be sued and face up to $20,000 per violation.
• Rights & Protections (helps) — Protects firearm businesses from discrimination.. Ensures they can get banking services.
• Who Bears the Cost (hurts) — Potential costs shift to banks.. Banks may pay penalties and lose state business.
• Process Transparency (neutral) — No new transparency requirements.. Standard civil action process applies.
• Funding Tilt (neutral) — No direct funding changes.. Penalty funds go to the state, not specified.

• Official text (WV SB78)http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/Bills_history.cfm?input=78&year=2026&sessiontype=RS&btype=bill
• LegiScan — SB78https://legiscan.com/WV/bill/SB78/2026

The bill would let collectors charge interest or fees as long as the contract or law says so, even if both aren't required.

Consumers could see higher debt balances and pay more for loans, while collectors gain more ways to collect money; now is the time to speak up before it passes.

Debt collection

• Accountability (hurts) — Weakens oversight of debt collectors. Bill reduces checks on collector fees
• Rights & Protections (hurts) — Cuts consumer protections. Removes requirement that both contract and law authorize fees
• Who Bears the Cost (hurts) — Shifts cost to borrowers. Consumers may pay more interest and fees
• Process Transparency (hurts) — Limited public notice. No new reporting or disclosure beyond existing
• Funding Tilt (neutral) — No new funding. Bill does not create spending

• LegiScan — HB4651https://legiscan.com/WV/bill/HB4651/2026

This bill would give commercial property owners a massive tax break to cover the full cost of making their buildings more environmentally friendly.

Upgrading buildings to save energy is a great idea. But this bill forces everyday taxpayers to pay for it. It would let commercial landlords subtract the entire cost of their green renovations from their state taxes. When big businesses pay less in taxes, the state has less money for things like schools and roads. Regular people should not have to buy free property upgrades for wealthy landlords.

Big Business

• Who Bears the Cost (hurts) — Shifts the cost of private property upgrades onto the public.. The bill gives a 100 percent tax credit for the cost of renovations, meaning the state loses tax revenue equal to the cost of the private upgrades.
• Funding Tilt (hurts) — Directly subsidizes commercial businesses.. The tax credit is strictly limited to owners of buildings used for commercial purposes.
• Accountability (neutral) — Neutral impact on legal accountability.. The bill does not change anyone's right to sue or seek justice.

Pushing for it: Commercial property owners
Bearing the cost: State tax revenue

• Official text (WV HB5262)http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/Bills_history.cfm?input=5262&year=2026&sessiontype=RS&btype=bill
• LegiScan — HB5262https://legiscan.com/WV/bill/HB5262/2026

The bill would give data centers big tax cuts and let them use coal power, which could lower state tax revenue and affect services.

Citizens could see less money for schools or roads because the state would lose tax income, while data center companies and coal producers would profit.

Data centers

• Accountability (hurts) — Tax breaks reduce oversight of data center impacts. Exemptions limit state ability to collect taxes
• Rights & Protections (neutral) — No direct impact on personal rights. Bill does not change individual legal protections
• Who Bears the Cost (helps) — Tax revenue loss falls on taxpayers. Exemptions shift cost from state to citizens
• Process Transparency (neutral) — Standard application process. Bill requires an application but adds no extra disclosure
• Funding Tilt (hurts) — Shifts public funds to private industry. Tax exemptions favor data centers over general budget needs

Pushing for it: Data centers
Bearing the cost: Taxpayers

• Official text (WV SB623)http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/Bills_history.cfm?input=623&year=2026&sessiontype=RS&btype=bill
• LegiScan — SB623https://legiscan.com/WV/bill/SB623/2026

This proposed bill would let mining and gas companies skip paying some of their state taxes if they help clean up after a natural disaster.

When a flood or storm hits, we need all the help we can get. But this proposed bill gives a special deal to wealthy mining and gas companies. Instead of paying their normal taxes to the state, they could use their own bulldozers to clean up and then write off the entire cost. It sounds helpful, but it really just lets big companies pay their taxes by doing construction work instead of giving money to the state. That would leave less money in the state budget for schools, roads, and everyday people.

Coal, Oil, and Gas Companies

• Accountability (neutral) — The bill requires the state environmental department to approve the projects first.. Requires certification of the repair and recovery effort project from the Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection.
• Rights & Protections (neutral) — Does not directly impact citizen rights or legal protections.. The bill focuses entirely on tax credits and does not alter liability or consumer rights.
• Who Bears the Cost (hurts) — Shifts the cost of disaster cleanup from general state funds to a direct loss in tax revenue, benefiting specific companies.. Allows a 100 percent credit for expenditures, reducing severance tax revenue that would otherwise go to the state.
• Process Transparency (neutral) — Creates a formal application process for the tax credits.. Applications must contain a detailed description of the work, timetable, and cost breakdown.
• Funding Tilt (hurts) — Tilts state funding to benefit the extraction industry by letting them keep their tax money in exchange for services.. Allows eligible taxpayers to take the credit against up to 20 percent of their annual severance tax liability.

Pushing for it: Extraction companies
Bearing the cost: State budget

• Official text (WV HB5432)http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/Bills_history.cfm?input=5432&year=2026&sessiontype=RS&btype=bill
• LegiScan — HB5432https://legiscan.com/WV/bill/HB5432/2026

The bill would let coal power companies lower their taxes by 35% of pollution‑control costs, hoping to keep plants open and electricity cheaper for residents.

Citizens could see lower electric bills if the credit keeps coal plants running, but the state will lose tax revenue and may delay a shift to cleaner energy.

Coal power plants

• Accountability (hurts) — Reduces pressure on coal plants to fully fund pollution controls.. Tax credit lowers the amount they must pay, lessening accountability for environmental costs.
• Rights & Protections (neutral) — No direct impact on individual rights.. Bill does not change consumer or citizen legal protections.
• Who Bears the Cost (hurts) — State tax revenue is reduced, shifting cost to taxpayers.. Credit cuts the tax that would fund public services, effectively shifting burden to residents.
• Process Transparency (neutral) — Rulemaking authority given to Tax Commissioner.. Procedures are standard and not unusually opaque.
• Funding Tilt (hurts) — Reduces state revenue without new funding source.. Credit creates a fiscal shortfall; no dedicated funding is provided.

• Official text (WV HB4035)http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/Bills_history.cfm?input=4035&year=2026&sessiontype=RS&btype=bill
• LegiScan — HB4035https://legiscan.com/WV/bill/HB4035/2026

The bill would let companies that invest at least $2.5 million and create ten full‑time jobs claim a state tax credit, reducing the taxes they owe.

Tax credits could lure new factories and offices, promising more jobs for West Virginians, but they also cut state revenue that could fund schools or roads, so voters should watch the trade‑off.

Businesses

• Accountability (neutral) — Audits and reporting are required but oversight is limited.. The bill calls for annual reports and audits by the authority.
• Rights & Protections (neutral) — No direct impact on personal rights.. The bill does not change any individual legal protections.
• Who Bears the Cost (hurts) — Tax credits reduce state revenue, shifting cost to taxpayers.. Credits offset taxes that would otherwise fund public services.
• Process Transparency (neutral) — The bill includes reporting requirements but the process is still early.. Requires annual reports and inter‑agency cooperation.
• Funding Tilt (hurts) — Fiscal impact favors businesses over general public funding.. Credits are a direct reduction in tax revenue.

• Official text (WV HB4013)http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/Bills_history.cfm?input=4013&year=2026&sessiontype=RS&btype=bill
• LegiScan — HB4013https://legiscan.com/WV/bill/HB4013/2026

The bill would let businesses claim tax credits for fixing up vacant buildings, reducing the money they pay to the state.

Supporters say the credits will bring jobs and revitalize blighted areas, while opponents warn that the state will lose revenue that could fund services for everyday residents.

Developers

• Accountability (helps) — Compliance reporting and penalties. Annual reports and credit revocation for non‑compliance
• Rights & Protections (neutral) — No direct impact on personal rights. Bill does not change individual legal rights
• Who Bears the Cost (hurts) — Tax credits reduce state revenue. Lost tax revenue ultimately falls on taxpayers
• Process Transparency (helps) — Reporting requirements. Annual compliance reports increase transparency
• Funding Tilt (hurts) — Tax credits shift money from state to businesses. Credits favor businesses over general fund

• Official text (WV HB4162)http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/Bills_history.cfm?input=4162&year=2026&sessiontype=RS&btype=bill
• LegiScan — HB4162https://legiscan.com/WV/bill/HB4162/2026

This bill would make it easier for West Virginia employers to get tax money for helping with child care, which could mean more child care options for working parents.

This bill aims to make it simpler and more rewarding for businesses to help their workers with child care costs. Right now, the tax credit mostly covers child care on the company's property. This bill would let companies get the credit for helping pay for child care at other places too, like a daycare down the street. It also makes the credit bigger and easier to use over many years. For regular people, this could mean more choices for child care that their job helps pay for, making it easier to work and afford care for their kids. Some might worry that giving more tax breaks to companies means less money for other state services. But supporters would say that helping companies with child care can keep more parents working, which helps the economy and brings in more tax money in the long run.

Workers

• Accountability (neutral) — Neutral. This bill does not directly address accountability for harm, but it does incentivize employers to provide a benefit.
• Rights & Protections (helps) — Improves. It expands the ability of employers to provide child care support, which can improve access to essential services for employees.
• Who Bears the Cost (hurts) — Shifts to state. The state would bear the cost of the increased tax credit through reduced tax revenue. Employers would bear more of the child care cost, shifting it from parents.
• Process Transparency (neutral) — Normal. The bill is moving through the regular legislative process, including committee review and discussion.
• Funding Tilt (helps) — Favors employers for public good. The bill provides a tax credit that directly benefits employers, encouraging them to invest in child care solutions for their workforce.

Pushing for it: Employers providing child care
Bearing the cost: West Virginia state tax revenue

• Official text (WV HB4517)http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/Bills_history.cfm?input=4517&year=2026&sessiontype=RS&btype=bill
• LegiScan — HB4517https://legiscan.com/WV/bill/HB4517/2026

This bill would let people sue if someone shares their private pictures without permission, helping victims get justice and money for their harm.

This bill would create a new way for people to take legal action if their private intimate pictures are shared without their okay. It means victims could get money for the harm caused, like emotional distress, and help cover their lawyer fees. This is important because it gives people a tool to fight back against harmful actions and protect their privacy. Some might say there need to be exceptions for things like reporting crimes or public interest, and this bill does include those. Now is the time to make sure this new protection is strong and fair for everyone.

Everyday People

• Accountability (helps) — Holds people responsible. Creates a civil action against those who intentionally disclose private intimate images without consent, allowing victims to seek damages.
• Rights & Protections (helps) — Protects privacy and gives victims a voice. Establishes a new right for individuals to sue when their private intimate images are shared without their permission, protecting their privacy and emotional well-being.
• Who Bears the Cost (helps) — Wrongdoer pays. The person who illegally shares the images would be responsible for paying damages, not the victim or public.
• Process Transparency (neutral) — Standard legislative process. The bill is going through the normal legislative steps.
• Funding Tilt (neutral) — No direct funding changes. The bill does not create or shift government funding.

Pushing for it: Victims of unauthorized image disclosure (Up to $10,000 in statutory damages, plus actual damages and punitive damages)
Bearing the cost: Individuals who disclose intimate images without consent (Unknown, depends on case)

• Official text (WV HB5130)http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/Bills_history.cfm?input=5130&year=2026&sessiontype=RS&btype=bill
• LegiScan — HB5130https://legiscan.com/WV/bill/HB5130/2026

This bill would let West Virginia workers keep more of their tips and overtime pay by stopping the state from taxing that money.

This bill is a good thing for many workers in West Virginia. If it passes, people who earn tips, like restaurant servers, or who work extra hours for overtime pay, would get to keep more of their hard-earned money. The state wants to make it better for people to work and for tourists to visit by helping those in the service industry. This could mean more money in your pocket if you rely on tips or overtime. It is still very new, so now is the time to tell your lawmakers if you think this is a good idea.

Workers

• Accountability (neutral) — Not applicable. This bill does not directly affect accountability for powerful groups or individuals.
• Rights & Protections (neutral) — Not applicable. This bill does not create or remove any specific rights or protections for ordinary people.
• Who Bears the Cost (helps) — Workers keep more money. The bill would exempt tips and overtime pay from state personal income tax, meaning workers would pay less tax and keep more of their earnings.
• Process Transparency (neutral) — Not applicable. There is no information to suggest this bill is being rushed or handled in an unclear way.
• Funding Tilt (helps) — More money for workers, less for state. By not taxing tips and overtime, the state would collect less income tax, leaving more money with individual workers.

Pushing for it: West Virginia workers earning tips or overtime
Bearing the cost: West Virginia state government (less tax revenue)

• Official text (WV SB460)http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/Bills_history.cfm?input=460&year=2026&sessiontype=RS&btype=bill
• LegiScan — SB460https://legiscan.com/WV/bill/SB460/2026

This bill would automatically refund your motor vehicle property taxes within 30 days of payment, rather than making you wait to claim it on your yearly tax return.

This bill is a straightforward win for West Virginians. Right now, if you pay property taxes on your car, you have to wait until you file your state income taxes to get that money credited back to you. This bill cuts out the waiting game, automatically sending you a refund check or direct deposit within 30 days of paying your bill. It puts your money back in your pocket faster and with less paperwork.

Everyday People

• Accountability (neutral) — Neutral. The bill does not affect legal accountability or lawsuits.
• Rights & Protections (helps) — Improves access to funds. Taxpayers get their money back much faster without having to navigate tax forms.
• Who Bears the Cost (helps) — Shifts burden to state. The state takes on the administrative work of processing the refund automatically, saving taxpayers time and effort.
• Process Transparency (helps) — Strict deadline. The bill sets a clear 30-day deadline for the state to issue the refund.
• Funding Tilt (neutral) — Neutral. The amount of money returned remains the same, it just arrives sooner.

Pushing for it: West Virginia taxpayers
Bearing the cost: State of West Virginia

• Official text (WV SB156)http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/Bills_history.cfm?input=156&year=2026&sessiontype=RS&btype=bill
• LegiScan — SB156https://legiscan.com/WV/bill/SB156/2026

The bill would force dental insurers to publish how they spend premiums and give a rebate if they spend too little on care.

If passed, West Virginians could see more of their dental premiums go to actual treatment and get lower costs, while dentists won’t be forced to pay credit‑card fees.

Everyday People

• Accountability (helps) — Enforcement by commissioner. Commissioner can penalize carriers for violations
• Rights & Protections (helps) — Adds consumer transparency. Consumers get clear info on how premiums are used
• Who Bears the Cost (helps) — Rebates shift cost to insurers. Insurers must refund premium money if care spending is low
• Process Transparency (helps) — Annual reporting required. Public can see loss ratios for each plan
• Funding Tilt (neutral) — No new funding. Bill does not create new spending programs

• Official text (WV HB4810)http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/Bills_history.cfm?input=4810&year=2026&sessiontype=RS&btype=bill
• LegiScan — HB4810https://legiscan.com/WV/bill/HB4810/2026

The bill would force dental insurers to report how they spend premiums, ban fee‑charging payment methods, and give rebates if care spending is low.

If passed, West Virginia residents will see more of their dental premiums used for care, and dentists will be protected from hidden fees, but insurers may raise prices to cover costs.

Everyday People

• Accountability (helps) — Transparency and reporting increase accountability.. Annual MLR reports filed with commissioner and public posting.
• Rights & Protections (helps) — Protects dentists from fee‑charging payment methods.. No payment method can charge dentists fees unless they agree.
• Who Bears the Cost (hurts) — Cost shift to insurers, not consumers.. Premium reduction rebates shift cost to carriers if MLR not met.
• Process Transparency (helps) — Public posting of loss ratios improves transparency.. Commissioner must post aggregate MLR data online.
• Funding Tilt (neutral) — No new funding required.. Bill creates reporting requirements but no appropriations.

Pushing for it: Consumers
Bearing the cost: Insurance carriers

• Official text (WV SB548)http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/Bills_history.cfm?input=548&year=2026&sessiontype=RS&btype=bill
• LegiScan — SB548https://legiscan.com/WV/bill/SB548/2026

The bill would force contractors to give homeowners a one‑year warranty on major work and stop them from limiting that warranty.

Homeowners could get better protection and cheaper fixes, while contractors may face higher costs, so the bill deserves public attention now before it passes.

Everyday People

• Accountability (helps) — Adds disciplinary powers for the licensing board.. Board can revoke, suspend, or fine contractors for violations.
• Rights & Protections (helps) — Creates mandatory warranty rights for homeowners.. Contracts must include express warranties and cannot limit them.
• Who Bears the Cost (helps) — Costs of repairs shift to contractors, not homeowners.. Contractors must fix defects at no expense to the owner.
• Process Transparency (helps) — Requires clear display of arbitration clauses.. ADR provisions must be in bold, capitalized text and located prominently.
• Funding Tilt (neutral) — No new funding or fees mentioned.. Bill does not allocate money or change tax revenue.

• Official text (WV SB760)http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/Bills_history.cfm?input=760&year=2026&sessiontype=RS&btype=bill
• LegiScan — SB760https://legiscan.com/WV/bill/SB760/2026

This bill would create a new health insurance option for people who can't get Medicaid or Medicare, helping them afford care.

If this bill passes, more people in West Virginia could get affordable health insurance. Now is the time to support it so everyone can have better access to health care.

Everyday People

• Rights & Protections (helps) — Provides more health insurance options. Creates a new plan for those not qualifying for Medicaid or Medicare.
• Who Bears the Cost (neutral) — Federal funding may help cover costs. The bill seeks to maximize federal dollars to support the program.
• Process Transparency (helps) — Includes an advisory council for oversight. An advisory council will help guide the program's implementation.

• Official text (WV HB5122)http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/Bills_history.cfm?input=5122&year=2026&sessiontype=RS&btype=bill
• LegiScan — HB5122https://legiscan.com/WV/bill/HB5122/2026

This bill would give companies money back on their taxes for running child care, which could make child care cheaper or easier for working parents.

This bill would help working families by making it easier and cheaper for companies to offer child care at work. When businesses get a tax break for helping with child care, it can mean more spots for kids or lower costs for parents. This is a good thing for families who need help finding safe places for their children while they work. Some might say that giving tax money back to companies means less money for other state programs. But supporters believe that helping companies provide child care is a smart way to help the economy and support parents at the same time.

Big Business

• Accountability (neutral) — No direct impact on accountability for bad actors.. The bill focuses on tax incentives for child care, not on holding anyone accountable for harm or wrongdoing.
• Rights & Protections (helps) — Helps parents access child care.. By making employer-provided child care more affordable for businesses, this bill could indirectly help employees get access to child care, which supports their right to work and care for their families.
• Who Bears the Cost (hurts) — State taxpayers would cover the cost of the tax credits.. The tax credit means less money for the state budget, shifting the cost of supporting employer child care from businesses to all state taxpayers.
• Process Transparency (neutral) — Standard legislative process.. The bill is moving through the regular legislative steps, with no signs of being rushed or hidden.
• Funding Tilt (helps) — Benefits employers and their employees.. The tax credit directly benefits businesses that provide child care and indirectly benefits their employees by potentially making child care more accessible or affordable.

Pushing for it: Employers and their employees
Bearing the cost: State tax revenue

• Official text (WV SB621)http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/Bills_history.cfm?input=621&year=2026&sessiontype=RS&btype=bill
• LegiScan — SB621https://legiscan.com/WV/bill/SB621/2026

This bill would approve a rule that lets the state board waive initial fees for some landscape architects, making it easier for them to start working.

This bill would give the green light to a rule that helps certain people become landscape architects by cutting their first costs. This is good for those individuals and could help more people join the profession. Some might worry about how the board will cover its costs if fees are waived, but the bill focuses on helping new professionals.

Everyday People

• Accountability (neutral) — Neutral impact on accountability.. The bill authorizes an existing legislative rule, which is a standard process for board actions.
• Rights & Protections (helps) — Helps certain individuals.. The bill would make it easier for certain individuals to get licensed by waiving initial fees, which could expand access to the profession.
• Who Bears the Cost (helps) — Reduces costs for individuals.. The bill would waive initial licensing fees for certain individuals, directly reducing their financial burden to start work.
• Process Transparency (neutral) — Standard process.. The bill authorizes a legislative rule, which typically involves public review and comment.
• Funding Tilt (helps) — Benefits individuals.. By waiving fees, the bill provides a financial benefit to certain individuals seeking to enter the landscape architecture profession.

Pushing for it: Certain individuals becoming landscape architects
Bearing the cost: The Board of Landscape Architects

• Official text (WV HB4291)http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/Bills_history.cfm?input=4291&year=2026&sessiontype=RS&btype=bill
• LegiScan — HB4291https://legiscan.com/WV/bill/HB4291/2026