Effective From Passage: April 12th, 2025
21 bills that went into effect on the last day of the 2025 Legislative Session.
SB 225: Expanding Powers of National Park Service Law-Enforcement Officers
Lead Sponsor: Senator Woodrum (R-Summers, SD 10)
This bill expands the list of federal law enforcement officers who can enforce West Virginia state laws and gives broader authority to National Park Service rangers and U.S. Forest Service officers. It adds the following nine types of federal officers to the existing list of those authorized to enforce state laws when requested by local agencies, during emergencies, or when witnessing felonies: U.S. Fish and Wildlife special agents, Diplomatic Security Service agents, Coast Guard agents, Customs and Border Protection officers, Department of Defense agents, Federal Protective Service officers, Federal Bureau of Prisons officers, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. The bill also grants National Park Service rangers and U.S. Forest Service officers the full powers of arrest, search, and seizure for any state law violations occurring on federal lands they manage and allows them to conduct independent investigations of crimes on those lands.
SB 275: Removing Requirement School Cooks or Custodians Have High School Diploma or Equivalent
Lead Sponsor: Senator Oliverio (R-Monongalia, SD 13)
Bill Sponsors: Senators Rose (R-Monongalia, SD 2), Thorne (R-Hampshire, SD 15), and Deeds (R-Greenbrier, SD 10)
This bill removes the requirement for cooks and custodians employed by West Virginia schools to have a high school diploma or GED. Since 1988, county school boards have been prohibited from hiring service personnel who haven’t obtained a high school diploma or GED, or who aren’t enrolled in an adult education program working toward a GED. The law already exempted school bus drivers aged 21 and older from this requirement. This bill adds cooks and custodians to that exemption list, acknowledging that food preparation and building maintenance skills don’t necessarily require formal high school completion.
SB 586: Relating to Requirements for Filling Vacancies in Certain Elected Federal, State, and County Offices
Lead Sponsor: Senator Garcia (D-Marion, SD 13)
This bill tightens the party affiliation requirements for filling vacancies in elected offices across West Virginia. Anyone appointed to fill a vacant partisan office must have been a registered member of that political party for at least one year prior to the vacancy occurring. The bill also clarifies that state legislative vacancies should be filled through party senatorial district executive committees or delegate district executive committees, rather than county committees, except in single-county districts. For constitutional officers like Secretary of State, Auditor, Treasurer, Attorney General, and Commissioner of Agriculture, the Governor can now appoint a temporary acting official to handle duties immediately while the formal appointment process happens. The process for how magistrate vacancies work has also been amended. If a magistrate has more than two years left in their term, the vacancy must be filled by a nonpartisan judicial election at the next primary or general election, whichever comes first, rather than by appointment alone. Circuit judges can also now fill prospective magistrate vacancies when someone announces their upcoming resignation or retirement in advance.
SB 825: Permitting Higher Education Institutions Enter Agreements With Non-Profit Organizations for Economic Development and Job Creation
Lead Sponsor: Senator Jeffries (R-Putnam, SD 8)
Bill Sponsors: Senator Woelfel (D-Cabell, SD 5)
This bill adds economic development and athletics organizations to the types of nonprofit organizations that West Virginia colleges and universities can partner with, adding to the existing framework for research corporations. The Legislature found that colleges need private nonprofit partnerships to stay competitive in intercollegiate athletics and foster economic development. State higher education institutions can now enter into agreements with 501(c) nonprofit corporations established exclusively for economic development and job creation purposes. These partnerships get significant operational flexibility. Their board meetings are exempt from open meetings laws, their assets aren’t subject to certain ownership restrictions that apply to research corporations, and they can be formally designated as the economic development entity for the institution. Although not a requirement, college presidents and their appointees can serve as voting directors on these nonprofit boards.
SB 914: Relating to Testing and Attendance Requirements for Private, Parochial, and Church Schools
Lead Sponsor: Senator Roberts (R-Raleigh, SD 9)
Bill Sponsors: Senators Rucker (R-Jefferson, SD 16), Taylor (R-Taylor, SD 14), and Willis (R-Berkeley, SD 15)
This bill modernizes instructional time requirements for West Virginia’s private, parochial, and religious schools while increasing transparency around academic performance. The previous requirement of 180 instructional days averaging five hours per day is replaced with an annual minimum of 900 instructional hours per school year. Private schools are now required to share their composite standardized test results with parents or legal guardians of prospective students upon request, helping families make informed enrollment decisions. The existing requirement to provide composite results to the State Superintendent upon request remains in place. Additionally, the bill removes previous consequences that were tied to schools scoring below the 40th percentile on standardized tests, eliminating punitive measures while maintaining the testing and reporting requirements.
SB 941: Clarifying Authority Regarding Dams Designed by US Conservation Service
Lead Sponsor: Senator Rose
Bill Sponsors: Senators Queen (R-Harrison, SD 12), Azinger (R-Wood, SD 3), Charnock (R-Kanawha, SD 17), Fuller (R-Wayne, SD 5), Hart (R-Mingo, SD 6), Helton (R-Fayette, SD 9), Jeffries, Phillips (R-Logan, SD 7), Taylor, and Garcia
This bill clarifies that the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has the sole authority over dams owned or sponsored by local conservation districts in West Virginia. It explicitly states that any alteration, improvement, or agreement related to these conservation district dams falls exclusively under DEP’s regulatory control. The bill also ensures that this clarification doesn’t affect or change any existing state or federal funding flowing to the West Virginia Conservation Agency, protecting the financial support these districts rely on for their conservation work.
SB 942: Modifying Requirements for Diesel-Powered Equipment in Mines
Lead Sponsor: Senator Rose
Bill Sponsors: Senators Queen, Azinger, Charnock, Fuller, Hart, Helton, Jeffries, Phillips, and Taylor
This bill streamlines the process to move diesel-powered equipment between underground coal mines in West Virginia. Diesel-powered equipment that is already in compliance with state regulations can now be moved from one mine to another and put into operation immediately. This includes equipment from both in-state and out-of-state mines. Mine operators are required to notify the director before putting the equipment into service at the new location. The equipment must still meet all safety rules, requirements, and standards.
HB 2054: Relating to Liability of Vendors in Private Farmers Markets
Lead Sponsor: Delegate W. Clark (R-Jefferson, HD 99)
Bill Sponsors: Delegates Maynor (R-Raleigh, HD 41) and Masters (R-Berkeley, HD 91)
This bill makes multiple updates to West Virginia’s alcohol laws. Private clubs are now allowed to offer age-verified self-pour automated systems for beer, cider, and wine. The bill removes joint liability agreement requirements for multi-vendor events at farmers markets, food courts, and festivals, streamlining the application process for these temporary licenses. Private clubs receive clearer rules around selling sealed craft cocktails and wine to-go when paired with food orders. A new Class S4N permit is created specifically for nonprofits wanting to sell alcohol at events within municipally-approved outdoor drinking areas, with a $1,500 annual fee covering multiple events rather than charging per event. It also expands the license types that can participate in these private outdoor designated areas and clarifies that customers can carry drinks between participating businesses within the bounded area. A technical error is fixed listing fortified wine’s alcohol content and makes various other corrections throughout the alcohol code.
HB 3125: To Remove Restrictions From Teachers Receiving Permanent Teaching Licenses
Lead Sponsor: Delegate Barnhart (R-Pleasants, HD 9)
Bill Sponsors: Delegates Stephens (R-Marshall, HD 6), Hornby (R-Berkeley, HD 93), Pritt (R-Fayette, HD 50), Ellington (R-Mercer, HD 38), and Statler (R-Monongalia, HD 77)
This bill creates a new pathway for teachers to obtain permanent teaching certificates in West Virginia without additional coursework. Teachers who hold a bachelor’s degree, have 10 years of teaching experience, possess a valid teaching certificate, are in good standing, and have never received an unsatisfactory evaluation can now apply for and receive a permanent teaching certificate. The bill maintains all existing certificate types and pathways (traditional teacher preparation programs, alternative certification routes, military spouse provisions, and veteran exemptions) while adding this experience-based option.
HB 3152: Claims Bill
Lead Sponsor: Delegate Criss (R-Wood, HD 12)
Bill Sponsor: Delegate Riley (R-Harrison, HD 72)
This bill authorizes payment of claims against various state agencies that the Legislature has determined are moral obligations of the state, even though the state may not be legally required to pay them. These claims come from several hundred individuals and businesses who experienced losses or damages related to state agency operations. The majority of the claims are against the Division of Highways (DOH), mostly for vehicle damage caused by road conditions or debris. Other claims include payments to the West Virginia Association of Rehabilitation Facilities from multiple agencies for unpaid services, electrical contractor claims against the Department of Administration for work performed, inmate property loss claims against the Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation, and equipment leasing claims against the Office of Technology. Each claimant must sign a release agreeing that the payment represents full compensation and waiving any future claims related to the matter. Most payments come from the General Revenue Fund, though DOH claims are paid from the State Road Fund and Office of Technology claims come from a Special Revenue Fund.
HB 3277: Relating to Defining Terms for the West Virginia Hospital Finance Authority Act
Lead Sponsor: Delegate Hite (R-Berkeley, HD 92)
This bill updates the definitions section of the West Virginia Hospital Finance Authority Act The definition of “Secretary” is changed from referring to the former Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Resources to the current Secretary of the Department of Health. This technical amendment aligns with the state’s restructuring of health and human services agencies. All other definitions in the act remain unchanged.
HB 3279: Relating to Requirements for WVU and WVSU Board of Governors
Lead Sponsor: Delegate Criss
Bill Sponsor: Delegate Riley
This bill modifies the composition and appointment process for the boards of governors at West Virginia University (WVU) and West Virginia State University (WVSU). The WVU Board of Governors expands from 16 to 19 members, increasing the number of Governor-appointed lay members from 13 to 15. At least eight of these appointed members must be West Virginia residents, and no more than nine may be from the same political party. Three positions have specific requirements for appointment: one member must have a background in agriculture, forestry, or agricultural/silvicultural sciences; one must be a graduate of WVU Institute of Technology; and one must be a graduate of Potomac State College of WVU. For the WVSU Board of Governors, one of its nine Governor-appointed members must have a background in agriculture, forestry, or agricultural/silvicultural sciences, reflecting its status as a land-grant institution. The bill also changes elected faculty, student (commonly the Student Government Association President), and classified/non-classified employee representatives to nonvoting advisory members on all boards of governors. WVU also has an additional nonvoting faculty member representing either the extension service or health sciences.
HB 3349: Supplemental Appropriation - Medicaid
Lead Sponsor: Speaker Hanshaw (R-Clay, HD 62)
Bill Sponsor: Delegate Hornbuckle (D-Cabell, HD 25)
This bill appropriates $45 million from the State Excess Lottery Revenue Fund to the Department of Human Services for medical services during the current fiscal year ending June 30, 2025. This is a new appropriation line item that wasn’t included in the original budget.
HB 3352: Supplemental Appropriation - Human Services - Medicaid
Lead Sponsor: Speaker Hanshaw
Bill Sponsor: Delegate Hornbuckle
This bill appropriates $39.4 million from the state’s General Revenue Fund surplus to the Bureau for Medical Services’ Policy and Programming division for the current fiscal year ending June 30, 2025. This creates a new budget line item for medical services that didn’t exist in the original budget.
HB 3356: Supplemental Appropriation - Education - Hope Scholarship
Lead Sponsor: Speaker Hanshaw
This bill appropriates an additional $28.4 million from the state’s General Revenue Fund to the Hope Scholarship Program for the current fiscal year ending June 30, 2025. The money comes from the unappropriated balance and increases an existing budget line for the program.
HB 3357: Supplemental Appropriation - Lottery Surplus - Hope Scholarship
Lead Sponsor: Speaker Hanshaw
This bill appropriates an additional $33.8 million from the Lottery Net Profits surplus to the Hope Scholarship Program for the current fiscal year ending June 30, 2025. This creates a new appropriation line item that didn’t exist in the original budget.
HB 3359: Supplemental Appropriation - EDA and Medicaid Net Zero
Lead Sponsor: Speaker Hanshaw
Bill Sponsor: Delegate Hornbuckle
This bill reallocates $9.5 million within the State Excess Lottery Revenue Fund for the current fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, shifting money from economic development to healthcare without changing the fund’s total budget. The bill decreases funding for the Economic Development Authority’s debt service payments by $9.5 million and transfers that same amount to increase the Department of Human Services’ medical services appropriation.
HB 3360: Supplemental Appropriation - EDA Bridge Loan Fund
Lead Sponsor: Speaker Hanshaw
Bill Sponsor: Delegate Hornbuckle
This bill transfers $28.7 million from the West Virginia Economic Development Authority’s Economic Development Project Bridge Loan Fund back to the state’s General Revenue Fund unappropriated surplus for the current fiscal year ending June 30, 2025.
HB 3369: Supplemental Appropriation - Education - Enrollment
Lead Sponsor: Speaker Hanshaw
Bill Sponsor: Delegate Hornbuckle
This bill appropriates $596,981 from the state’s General Revenue Fund surplus to the State Department of Education for the current fiscal year ending June 30, 2025. The money is designated specifically for increased enrollment costs and creates a new budget line item that didn’t exist in the original budget.
HB 3371: Supplemental Appropriation - HLFC to OIG Net Zero
Lead Sponsor: Speaker Hanshaw
Bill Sponsor: Delegate Hornbuckle
This bill reallocates $58,632 within the state’s General Revenue Fund for the current fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, shifting money from Welch Community Hospital to the Office of the Inspector General without changing the overall budget. The bill decreases Welch Community Hospital’s personal services and employee benefits appropriation by $58,632 and transfers that exact amount to increase the Office of the Inspector General’s personal services and employee benefits line.
HB 3411: Relating to Commissions; Removing the Legislative Members; and Eliminating Expired Commissions
Lead Sponsor: Speaker Hanshaw
Bill Sponsors: Delegates Gearhart (R-Mercer, HD 37), Riley, and Rohrbach (R-Cabell, HD 26)
This bill cleans up West Virginia Code by eliminating obsolete commissions and updating the language regarding the composition of other commissions. The commissions that are repealed include: the Legislative Building Commission, the West Virginia Sesquicentennial of the American Civil War Commission, the Joint Legislative Committee on Flooding, the West Virginia Sentencing Commission, the Legislative Oversight Commission on Health and Human Resources Accountability, the Toll Road Study Commission, the Equal Pay Commission, the Joint Legislative Oversight Commission on State Water Resources, the Commission on Interstate Cooperation, the Legislative Oversight Committee on Regional Jails, the Enterprise Resource Planning Board Steering Committee, and study committees on outcomes-based funding and higher education facilities. For the commissions that remain active, the bill updates the statutory language for: the West Virginia Forest Management Review Commission, the Joint Commission on Economic Development, the Legislative Oversight Commission on Education Accountability, and the Legislative Oversight Commission on Department of Transportation Accountability.