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West VirginiaHB 40082026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Relating to Business Ready Sites Program

Sponsored By: Jordan Maynor (Republican)

Signed by Governor

§5B-2-19§24-2-1N

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.

Grants to prepare business sites

The law creates a Certified Sites and Development Readiness Program run by the Division of Economic Development. Only state, county, city, or regional development agencies and related organizations can apply for site certification and help. The Division sets readiness rules, certifies sites, and lists fixes to raise each site's level. Matching grants can cover up to 50% of eligible work, and microgrants are capped at $100,000 for 5–20 acres or $250,000 for over 20 acres. Funds must be spent or under contract within 12 months or returned; if a site is sold or leased, grants are repaid and the state secures a lien. A dedicated fund keeps appropriations and earnings for this program, and Business Ready Sites may also get these funds with Commerce approval.

Help for big industrial sites

The law creates the West Virginia Business Ready Sites Program to help bring utilities to large industrial sites. A site must be at least 50 contiguous acres and lack adequate service from regulated utilities. An industrial development agency can apply, and the Commerce Secretary may certify the site and list needed utility service. Certified sites and their needs are shared with the Public Service Commission to guide planning.

Utility projects can raise customer rates

After the Commerce Secretary certifies a site, regulated utilities can file a single multi‑year plan to build needed service. The utility must publish notice; the PSC holds a hearing within 90 days and a final order comes within 150 days, unless the hearing is waived. If approved, utilities add a rate charge to recover costs, including their allowed return on equity, income taxes on that return, O&M, depreciation, and property taxes, minus new-customer contributions. Recovery starts when money is spent on construction, and utilities track timing differences as regulatory assets or liabilities. Utilities can also defer some new regulatory O&M costs and seek recovery later if the PSC finds them prudent. This can raise electric, gas, water, or sewer bills for customers.

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Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Jordan Maynor

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • James Robert "JB" Akers II

    Republican • House

  • William Anderson

    Republican • House

  • Adam Burkhammer

    Republican • House

  • Marshall W. Clay

    Republican • House

  • Kathie Hess Crouse

    Republican • House

  • Joe Ellington

    Republican • House

  • Dave Foggin

    Republican • House

  • Erica Moore

    Republican • House

  • Joe Parsons

    Republican • House

  • Andy Shamblin

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 117 • No: 10

Senate vote • 3/12/2026

Passed Senate (Roll No. 477)

Yes: 33 • No: 1

House vote • 1/23/2026

Passed House (Roll No. 11)

Yes: 84 • No: 9

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by Governor 3/27/2026

    3/30/2026House

  2. To Governor 3/18/2026

    3/18/2026House

  3. To Governor 3/18/2026 - Senate Journal

    3/14/2026Senate

  4. Approved by Governor 3/27/2026 - House Journal

    3/14/2026House

  5. Approved by Governor 3/27/2026 - Senate Journal

    3/14/2026Senate

  6. House received Senate message

    3/13/2026House

  7. On 3rd reading

    3/12/2026Senate

  8. Read 3rd time

    3/12/2026Senate

  9. Passed Senate (Roll No. 477)

    3/12/2026Senate

  10. Communicated to House

    3/12/2026Senate

  11. Completed legislative action

    3/12/2026Senate

  12. On 2nd reading

    3/11/2026Senate

  13. Read 2nd time

    3/11/2026Senate

  14. Reported do pass

    3/10/2026Senate

  15. Immediate consideration

    3/10/2026Senate

  16. Read 1st time

    3/10/2026Senate

  17. Introduced in Senate

    1/27/2026Senate

  18. To Economic Development

    1/27/2026Senate

  19. To Economic Development

    1/27/2026Senate

  20. On 3rd reading, Special Calendar

    1/23/2026House

  21. Read 3rd time

    1/23/2026House

  22. Passed House (Roll No. 11)

    1/23/2026House

  23. Communicated to Senate

    1/23/2026House

  24. On 2nd reading, Special Calendar

    1/22/2026House

  25. Read 2nd time

    1/22/2026House

Bill Text

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