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Signature Sponsor
March 4, 2026 - Today, March 4, 2026, marks the 50th day of the 2026 Regular Legislative Session. Bills must be reported out of their chamber of origination by today to complete the legislative process.
All the Association’s legislative priorities are “moving” and have either passed their chamber of origination or are expected to pass by the end of today.
Provided below is a list of the major bills the Association is advocating and their status:
HB 5687 would reduce the current coal severance tax on metallurgical coal production from 5% to 3% in ½ percent increments. https://www.wvlegislature.gov/
SB 420, which would establish additional monitoring and oversight of the state’s coal fired power plants along with requiring the West Virginia Public Service Commission and West Virginia Public Energy Authority to develop rules to implement criteria surrounding the 69% operating capacity factor. The bill is on third reading today in the Senate and is expected to pass later today. A copy of the bill can be found at https://www.wvlegislature.gov/
SB 686, that would create a co-tenancy development program for the coal industry is on third reading in the Senate today and is expected to pass that chamber later today. A copy of the bill is available at https://www.wvlegislature.gov/
SB 641, which would amend the state’s Aboveground Storage Tank Act, is on third reading today in the Senate and is expected to pass later today. The bill, originally intended to exempt oil and gas industry tanks from certain provisions of the AST law, was amended in the Senate’s Energy, Industry and Mining Committee earlier this week to specifically exempt coal mining industry tanks are not classified as “Level One” tanks from AST law and regulations. A copy of the bill is available at https://www.wvlegislature.
SB 1042, which would conform certain provisions of the state’s underground mine ventilation law to corresponding federal standards has already passed the Senate and is currently pending in the House Energy & Public Works Committee. A copy of the bill is available at https://www.wvlegislature.gov/
SB 622 extending the Innovative Mine Safety Tax Credit program has already passed the Senate and is pending in the House Finance Committee. https://www.wvlegislature.gov/
HB 5381, which reorganizes the West Virginia Division of Energy and the Office of Coalfield Development has been passed by the House of Delegates and referred to the Senate. The bill was amended by the House, preserving the Office of Coalfield Development and expanding the power and duties of the Public Energy Authority with respect to oversight of the state’s coal fired power plants. A copy of the bill is available at https://www.wvlegislature.gov/
SB 1008, which addresses a statute of limitations for silica and asbestos injury litigation for mining-related equipment manufacturers has passed the Senate and is pending committee reference in the House of Delegates. A copy of the bill can be found at https://www.wvlegislature.gov/
SB 243, which creates a limited severance tax credit for coal companies assisting in natural disaster recovery efforts has passed the Senate and is currently pending in the House Energy & Public Works Committee. A copy of the bill is available at https://www.wvlegislature.gov/
SB 894, which removes the authority of local conservation districts over flood control structures and transfers that ownership and responsibility to the West Virginia Conservation Agency is on third reading today in the Senate. Floor amendments are anticipated today to address technical drafting consistency issues and is expected to pass the full Senate later today. The bill also clarifies that any of those structures are subject solely to the regulation and authority of WV DEP’s dam safety program with respect to modifications or alternations. The bill can be viewed here https://www.wvlegislature.gov/
SB 15 protecting coal reserves from underground carbon sequestration drilling was passed by the Senate and sent to the House of Delegates, where it is pending in the House Energy & Public Works Committee https://www.wvlegislature.gov/
The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection’s administrative rule package, SB 256, has passed the Legislature and has been approved by Governor Morrisey. WV DEP is currently working with the Association to compile the administrative record and supporting rationale package for submission to the federal Environmental Protection Agency for approval. https://www.wvlegislature.gov/
The West Virginia Department of Commerce rule package, SB 374, which contains rule changes advanced by West Virginia Office of Miners’ Health, Safety & Training has completed the legislative process and is awaiting approval by the Governor. https://www.wvlegislature.gov/ |
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