West VirginiaHB 53642026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Reforming Boards and Commissions

Sponsored By: Roger Hanshaw (Republican)

Signed by Governor

§5A-11-1§5A-11-2§5A-11-3§5A-11-4§5A-11-5§5A-11-6§5A-11-7§5B-1B-1§5B-1B-2§5B-1B-3§5B-1B-4§5B-2-17§5B-2-20§5B-2I-7§5B-9-1§9-4B-1§9-4B-2§9-4B-3§9-4B-4§9-4B-7§9-4C-1§9-4C-2§9-4C-3§9-4C-4§9-4C-5§9-4C-6§9-4C-7§9-4C-8§9-4C-11§11-21-12i§16-5M-1§16-5M-2§16-5M-3§16-5P-3§16-5P-7§16-5P-8§16-5U-1§16-5U-2§16-5U-3§16-5BB-1§16-22A-4§16-29B-31§16-29D-7§16-33-2§16-33-5§16-36-1§16-36-2§16-36-3§16-40-6§16-40-7§16-40-8§16-61-1§16-61-2§16-61-3§17-2E-10§17-4A-1§17-4A-2§17-4A-3§18-10Q-1§18-10Q-2§18-10Q-3§18-10Q-4§18-10Q-5§22-11A-1§22-11A-4§22-11A-6§22-11A-7§24-6-15§29-24-2§29-24-3§29-24-4§29-24-5§29-24-7§29-24-8§29-24-9§44-16-7§49-2-913

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

9 provisions identified: 6 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.

Tax break for autism trusts, time-limited

You can lower West Virginia taxable income for contributions to a qualified autism trust. The cap is $1,000 a year if single or married filing separately, and $2,000 if married filing jointly. You can only claim amounts not already deducted on your federal return and can carry unused amounts forward up to four years, but not below zero income. Contributions made by December 31, 2026 qualify. The modification ends for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2027, though trusts set up and funded by 2026 keep the law’s benefits.

Assistive tech loans with set terms

The state runs a revolving loan fund for assistive technology. You must meet disability and income rules and show you can repay. Loans can cover up to 90% of the item cost, with 4%–21% APR, and a term up to 60 months. There is no prepayment penalty, but application and processing fees may apply, and new loans can be denied if a prior loan is unpaid. All repayments, interest, fees, grants, and donations stay in the fund. Administrative costs are capped at 10% of the fund each year.

State takes over public lands and fund

The law ends the Public Land Corporation and moves its lands and duties to the Division of Natural Resources. Existing permits, licenses, contracts, and cases stay in force. A Public Land Fund in the state treasury collects money from land sales, rents, and mineral leases to manage and maintain those lands. Ohio River royalties go to the Parks and Recreation Endowment, and Adjutant General lands keep their own fund.

State agency takes over flood-control dams

By July 1, 2026, conservation districts must transfer flood‑control dams, levees, channels, related rights, and funds to the West Virginia Conservation Agency. After transfer, districts cannot own or operate these structures. Any dam changes still need approval from the Department of Environmental Protection. The State Conservation Committee can hire staff, make rules, run grants, and clear debris in emergencies. Conservation district supervisors get a per diem of $30 to $150 and expense reimbursement when on duty.

Birth defects registry with parent opt-out

The health department must set rules for a birth defects information system. The rules list which conditions are reported, how to report, and who can access data. Parents get a form to ask for their child's data to be removed, and the form is posted online.

Hospitals must prevent needlestick injuries

Health facilities must use needleless systems or other safety devices unless they document why a device is not appropriate. They must keep a sharps injury log and report it each year. Rules may include staff training, vaccinations, proper sharps containers, and protective gear. A single device cannot be forced for every use.

Councils promote tourism and drone jobs

The Motorsports Committee continues with 18 members and meets at least quarterly to grow jobs and facilities. The Economic Development Director promotes uncrewed aircraft systems and reports progress each year. The 11‑member Tourism Advisory Council advises the Secretary and settles past advertising grant obligations; members get expense reimbursement only.

Complete Streets policy with exceptions

The Division of Highways considers people driving, walking, biking, using transit, and people with disabilities when planning and building roads with state or federal funds. It should use current design standards and work with local groups. The commissioner can grant exceptions when law forbids, costs are far above need, there is no future need, a project is time‑sensitive, or planning is already past the early stage.

Local taxes and loans for flood control

Counties and cities can spend money, budget, and levy taxes for public works and flood‑control projects that benefit them. They can borrow from federal sources and place countywide or citywide levies to repay that debt. They may give written assurances, good for up to 50 years if approved by the Attorney General, to secure federal cooperation.

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Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Roger Hanshaw
Republican • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 210 • No: 14

House vote • 3/14/2026

House concurred in Senate amendment and passed bill (Roll No. 683)

Yes: 90 • No: 7

Senate vote • 3/11/2026

Passed Senate (Roll No. 470)

Yes: 33 • No: 1

House vote • 3/4/2026

Passed House (Roll No. 309)

Yes: 87 • No: 6

Actions Timeline

Approved by Governor 3/27/2026
3/30/2026House
To Governor 3/25/26
3/25/2026House
House received Senate message
3/14/2026House
House concurred in Senate amendment and passed bill (Roll No. 683)
3/14/2026House
Communicated to Senate
3/14/2026House
Completed legislative action
3/14/2026House
House Message received
3/14/2026Senate
To Governor 3/25/2026 - Senate Journal
3/14/2026Senate
Approved by Governor 3/27/2026 - House Journal
3/14/2026House
Approved by Governor 3/27/2026 - Senate Journal
3/14/2026Senate
On 3rd reading
3/11/2026Senate
Read 3rd time
3/11/2026Senate
Passed Senate (Roll No. 470)
3/11/2026Senate
Title amendment adopted
3/11/2026Senate
Senate requests House to concur
3/11/2026Senate
On 2nd reading
3/10/2026Senate
Read 2nd time
3/10/2026Senate
Floor amendment adopted (Voice vote)
3/10/2026Senate
On 1st reading
3/9/2026Senate
Read 1st time
3/9/2026Senate
Introduced in Senate
3/6/2026Senate
Committee reference dispensed
3/6/2026Senate
On 3rd reading, Special Calendar
3/4/2026House
Read 3rd time
3/4/2026House
Amendment reported by the Clerk
3/4/2026House

Bill Text

Committee Substitute
HTML PDF
Engrossed
HTML PDF
Enrolled
HTML PDF
Introduced Version
HTML PDF

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