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West VirginiaSB 8782026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Creating Office of Entrepreneurship within Office of Secretary of State

Sponsored By: Ben Queen (Republican)

Signed by Governor

§5B-2P-1§5B-2P-2

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

One-stop help for West Virginia startups

The law creates an Office of Entrepreneurship in the Secretary of State’s office. It serves as a one-stop liaison to help startups and scale-ups navigate state rules and get referrals. The Office coordinates partners like the Small Business Development Center and the Economic Development Authority to speed business setup and growth. It must answer your inquiry within 48 hours or by the next business day. State agencies can name a direct contact to speed problem solving.

Confidential help and de-identified business data

State agencies may share data, records, and limited system access the Office needs, and can require a confidentiality agreement. Information the Office gets is protected from public disclosure. The Office can publish de-identified reports, summaries, and statistics and share them with entrepreneurs and support groups.

First-year plan and annual reports

In its first year, the Office must create a plan for intake, referrals, and tracking with help from partners like the One Stop Business Center. Starting two years after creation, the Office must report each year by November 1 to lawmakers. The report covers progress, rankings, events, startup counts, and policy ideas.

Funding and fees for entrepreneurship office

The law creates a special state fund for the Office, managed by the Secretary of State. The Office may charge reasonable fees for events, publications, and some services, but its government liaison help stays free. The Secretary of State may propose rules to run the Office through the state rulemaking process.

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Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Ben Queen

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Trenton Barnhart

    Republican • Senate

  • Jay Taylor

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 289 • No: 20

Senate vote • 3/13/2026

Effective July 1, 2026 (Roll No. 604)

Yes: 34 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/13/2026

Senate concurred in House amendments and passed bill (Roll No. 603)

Yes: 30 • No: 4

House vote • 3/12/2026

Effective July 1, 2026 (Roll No. 477)

Yes: 86 • No: 7

House vote • 3/12/2026

Passed House (Roll No. 476)

Yes: 83 • No: 9

Senate vote • 2/21/2026

Effective July 1, 2026 (Roll No. 186)

Yes: 28 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/21/2026

Passed Senate (Roll No. 185)

Yes: 28 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by Governor 3/25/2026

    3/25/2026Senate

  2. To Governor 3/18/2026

    3/18/2026Senate

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

    3/14/2026Senate

  4. Approved by Governor 3/25/2026 - Senate Journal

    3/14/2026Senate

  5. Approved by Governor 3/25/2026 - House Journal

    3/14/2026House

  6. House Message received

    3/13/2026Senate

  7. Senate concurred in House amendments and passed bill (Roll No. 603)

    3/13/2026Senate

  8. Effective July 1, 2026 (Roll No. 604)

    3/13/2026Senate

  9. Communicated to House

    3/13/2026Senate

  10. Completed legislative action

    3/13/2026Senate

  11. On 3rd reading, Special Calendar

    3/12/2026House

  12. Read 3rd time

    3/12/2026House

  13. Passed House (Roll No. 476)

    3/12/2026House

  14. Title amendment adopted (Voice vote)

    3/12/2026House

  15. Effective July 1, 2026 (Roll No. 477)

    3/12/2026House

  16. Communicated to Senate

    3/12/2026House

  17. On 2nd reading, Special Calendar

    3/11/2026House

  18. Read 2nd time

    3/11/2026House

  19. Amendment reported by the Clerk

    3/11/2026House

  20. Committee amendment adopted (Voice vote)

    3/11/2026House

  21. With amendment, do pass, but first to Finance

    3/10/2026House

  22. 2nd reference dispensed

    3/10/2026House

  23. Immediate consideration

    3/10/2026House

  24. Read 1st time

    3/10/2026House

  25. House received Senate message

    2/23/2026House

Bill Text

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