Public Comments – West Virginia Legislature

2026 Regular Session HB4546 (Judiciary)

Comment by: Jayli Flynn on January 20, 2026 10:05

I oppose HB 4546 because changing required business entity reporting from annual to biennial reduces transparency and weakens the State’s ability to identify problems in a timely manner. Under current law, limited liability companies and foreign limited liability companies are required to file annual reports with the Secretary of State pursuant to W. Va. Code § 31B-2-211, with subsequent reports due each ensuing calendar year. These filings ensure regular updates to ownership, registered agent information, and operational status. HB 4546 amends W. Va. Code § 31B-2-211, § 47-9-10a, and § 59-1-2a to replace annual reporting and related fees with a biennial reporting schedule. While the bill does not eliminate reporting, extending the filing interval creates longer periods during which inaccurate or outdated information may remain in state records. Issues that arise shortly after a filing—such as changes in control, inactive operations continuing to transact business, or noncompliance—may not be visible to the State for up to two years. Annual reporting supports timely verification and enforcement, including administrative dissolution and fee compliance mechanisms authorized under W. Va. Code § 59-1-2a. Reducing the frequency of these reports shifts oversight from preventative to reactive and limits the State’s ability to identify emerging issues early, when corrective action would be most effective. For these reasons, I urge the Legislature to reject HB 4546 as written or to retain annual reporting requirements to preserve transparency, accountability, and effective oversight of business entities operating in West Virginia.

2026 Regular Session HB4433 (Judiciary)

Comment by: Jennifer Sisson on January 20, 2026 09:56

I would like the hate language “illegal alien” removed from this bill. It is a dehumanizing phrase and has no place in the code of law in West Virginia. Thank you for your action on this issue Jennifer Sisson

2026 Regular Session HB4433 (Judiciary)

Comment by: Pamala Mayne-Sanchez on January 20, 2026 09:42

The term immigrant is degrading. Most of you have never met these people much less had a meal with them. You have however had the trim your grass, cut your trees, and any other meanless job that you dont want to do or possibly fix your food in a Mexican restaurant. Right now out government (president and governor and prosecuting these people for their own benefits. MONEY to line their pockets with. The Latino community are some of the hardest working people that you can ever meet. The vast major bother no one and want to be left alone. The real injustice is the amount one has to pay to become a United States Citizen. Most Americans couldn't pass a citizenship test and do not speak the English language so you can understand it.

2026 Regular Session HB4433 (Judiciary)

Comment by: Tamara R Judy on January 20, 2026 09:36

I find it hard to believe that a state built off the backs off immigrants, and full of the descendants of those same people would propose and support anything like this. My forefathers had the hardest lives of some of the people who transversed the ocean to come here, both before and after the voyage..and I think they would be mighty ashamed at how we treat the people just like them.

2026 Regular Session HB4034 (Education)

Comment by: Tracey on January 20, 2026 09:28

HB4034 undermines the constitutional principal of separation of church and state by mandating the display of a specific religious text in public school classrooms. Public schools serve students from many faith traditions, as well as those with no religious affiliation, and the Ten Commandments are not inclusive or representative of all belief systems. Requiring their display risks alienating students and families and improperly elevates one religious tradition over others in a government-funding setting.

2026 Regular Session HB4433 (Judiciary)

Comment by: Steve Davis on January 20, 2026 09:21

Words and phrases have meaning and power, and should thus be used with caution. The term "illegal alien" runs the risk of increasing xenophobia and dehumanizing our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. It is also unnecessary as we have other less dehumanizing terms that refer to undocumented immigrants. I, therefore, implore the committee to reject this unnecessary bill that will only serve to create negative externalities and not make any real progress toward addressing the immigration issue. Thank you for your consideration.

2026 Regular Session HB4034 (Education)

Comment by: Victoria Bradley on January 20, 2026 09:07

I respectfully oppose House Bill 4034, which would mandate that every classroom in West Virginia’s public elementary and secondary schools display a framed copy of the Ten Commandments.

This bill raises serious constitutional concerns. Public schools serve students of diverse faiths and belief systems — including Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Indigenous spiritual traditions, and those with no religious affiliation at all. A requirement to post a specific religious text in every classroom crosses the line between supporting students’ civic education and endorsing a particular religion or religious interpretation, which the U.S. Constitution’s Establishment Clause prohibits in public institutions.

Mandating the Ten Commandments does not foster inclusive education. Instead, it elevates one religious tradition above others and risks making students who do not share that tradition feel excluded or unwelcome in their own schools. Public education should be a neutral space where all students feel equally respected and supported.

There are already appropriate venues for religious education: families, communities, and religious organizations can teach religious values in contexts where such instruction is voluntary and welcome. Public schools, funded by all taxpayers and responsible for the education of all children, should not be compelled to promote specific religious content.

Moreover, the state faces pressing and practical challenges in education — including teacher recruitment and retention, classroom resources, student mental health services, and academic achievement gaps — that are far more urgent than the placement of religious posters in classrooms. Lawmakers should focus their efforts on policies that support the academic success, wellbeing, and equal treatment of all West Virginia students.

For these reasons, I urge members of the West Virginia Legislature to reject HB 4034.

2026 Regular Session HB4176 (Agriculture, Commerce, and Tourism)

Comment by: Shon Butler on January 20, 2026 09:04

This bill needs to pass. This is integral to the recruitment of young hunters. As an owner of a business that is closely tied to the deer hunters of West Virginia we have seen a downward spiral of recruitment amongst the "tween" ages of 10 -15 into hunting. While I am concerned of creating further generations of "buck only" hunters, now is not the time to quibble over this fact. Instead we must bring our children into the outdoors and hooking them o n the thrill of the hunt and teaching them the values of self reliance. It is a shame to tell a child that they cannot shoot an antlered buck during a season set aside for them to teach skills and to recruit new hunters. We must look inwardly at ourselves in West Virginia, we are the best of people. We must however not get stuck in the archaic way thinking about hunting license restructures and tag allocation. We must lead and if there is a state that can lead the nation in hunter recruitment, retention and reactivation, it is West Virginia! We MUST have this bill in this form to accomplish this!

2026 Regular Session HB4509 (Energy and Public Works)

Comment by: Jayli Flynn on January 20, 2026 09:04

I support HB 4509 because my documented research and Freedom of Information Act requests regarding solar and energy development in West Virginia show persistent transparency failures, shifting policy positions, and inconsistent disclosure of financial and infrastructure risk. HB 4509 amends and reenacts W. Va. Code § 5B-2-21b, which currently limits the authority of counties and municipalities over certified microgrid districts and high-impact data center projects. Under existing law, state preemption has weakened local zoning, land-use, and permitting authority even when communities bear the direct impacts. My solar-related FOIA documentation shows that large-scale projects have proceeded while public officials simultaneously claim renewable energy is too costly or harmful to consumers, and that federal programs intended to reduce household energy burdens were withdrawn without proactive public explanation or documented cost-benefit analysis. These outcomes conflict with the stated purposes of economic development statutes under W. Va. Code § 5B-1-1, which require development policy to serve the public interest and economic well-being of the state, not merely expedite projects without accountability. HB 4509 does not prohibit development or repeal state involvement. It restores the ability of local governments to exercise their traditional police powers over land use, zoning, and permitting, consistent with municipal authority under W. Va. Code § 8-12-1 et seq. and county authority under W. Va. Code § 7-1-3. When state agencies retain certification power while withholding key information, local governments must be able to assess infrastructure strain, water impacts, and community compatibility based on actual conditions. Economic development should not override transparency obligations under the West Virginia Freedom of Information Act, W. Va. Code § 29B-1-1 et seq., nor should it remove local accountability when public trust has been undermined by incomplete disclosures and policy reversals. Restoring local jurisdiction through HB 4509 strengthens democratic oversight, protects residents from undisclosed risks, and ensures that energy and infrastructure projects proceed lawfully, transparently, and with community consent. For these reasons, I urge passage of HB 4509.

2026 Regular Session HB4509 (Energy and Public Works)

Comment by: Shaena Crossland on January 20, 2026 08:55

As a WV native and Tucker County resident, I urge you to give back local control in HB2014. We have a right to have a say in industries that are wanting to build in our towns and back yards.

2026 Regular Session HB4073 (Health and Human Resources)

Comment by: John Coontz on January 20, 2026 08:50

Can we please stop with this nonsense. These vaccines keep everyone safe. Look at the current measles outbreaks around the country, why do you think that is happening? We have been leading the nation on thos for years, so let's not go backwards. Protect our kids by listening to actual experts.

2026 Regular Session HB4504 (Government Organization)

Comment by: Jayli Flynn on January 20, 2026 08:47

I submit this comment in opposition to HB 4504 as introduced, based on existing statutory authority, current disease conditions acknowledged by the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR), and the absence of any demonstrated public health, conservation, or safety benefit tied to the bill’s provisions. HB 4504 proposes to add §20-2-39 to Chapter 20 of the West Virginia Code, requiring the Director of the Division of Natural Resources to promulgate legislative rules governing the harvest of antlered deer, including antler-point restrictions and harvest sequencing. However, the state already possesses broad statutory and regulatory authority over wildlife management, and the bill does not address the most significant documented risks currently associated with white-tailed deer in West Virginia. Under W. Va. Code §20-2-5 and §20-2-6, the state has long delegated authority to manage wildlife resources, establish hunting seasons, bag limits, and disease-related controls. Additionally, existing rules promulgated under W. Va. Code §29A-3-1 et seq. already allow the agency to adopt and amend regulations when justified by conservation or public necessity. HB 4504 therefore does not fill a statutory gap; it duplicates authority that already exists. More critically, the WVDNR has formally acknowledged that chronic wasting disease (CWD) is present in free-ranging white-tailed deer in West Virginia and has been detected since 2002 in at least seven contiguous counties. The agency has further acknowledged that diagnostic testing for CWD is voluntary, limited geographically, and does not constitute a food safety test, and that the “wholesomeness” of free-ranging wild animals for human consumption cannot be guaranteed. These admissions are consistent with existing disease regulations codified in West Virginia Code of State Rules Title 58, Part 69 (the “Disease Rule”), which focus primarily on carcass transport restrictions and baiting prohibitions rather than public health assurances. Despite these documented conditions, HB 4504 does not:

require or expand mandatory CWD testing,
address known limitations of diagnostic reliability,
establish public health standards for consumption,
address environmental persistence of prions,
or resolve jurisdictional gaps involving captive cervid operations regulated separately under W. Va. Code Chapter 19, Article 2H (Captive Cervid Farming Act).

Instead, the bill narrows its focus to antler characteristics and harvest order, which have no demonstrated relationship to disease mitigation, food safety, or reduction of human exposure risk. Regulating antler points does not prevent infection, does not reduce environmental contamination, and does not address the acknowledged inability to certify safety of harvested meat. Federal involvement in CWD management, as described by WVDNR, is limited primarily to funding and interstate transport considerations under statutes such as the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act of 1937 (16 U.S.C. §§669–669k, Pittman-Robertson Act), the Lacey Act (16 U.S.C. §§3371–3378), and USDA-APHIS regulations governing interstate movement of captive cervids under 9 C.F.R. Parts 55 and 81. None of these federal frameworks impose enforceable food-safety standards for wild game or require states to prioritize disease mitigation over discretionary harvest rules. As written, HB 4504 shifts wildlife policy further into administrative rulemaking without addressing the state’s own acknowledged risks. It adds regulatory complexity without corresponding public protection and prioritizes harvest mechanics while leaving disease exposure, testing limitations, and fragmented oversight unresolved. For these reasons, HB 4504 does not advance conservation, public health, or responsible governance. If the Legislature intends to act in the public interest, it should first address disease surveillance adequacy, testing standards, inter-agency coordination, and transparency regarding risks already acknowledged by the state, rather than expanding discretionary control over antlered deer harvest criteria. Accordingly, I urge the Legislature to reject HB 4504 as introduced or substantially amend it to address documented disease and public health concerns within the existing statutory framework.

2026 Regular Session HB4034 (Education)

Comment by: John coontz on January 20, 2026 08:46

I would like to say I don't support this bill as it goes against separation of church and state. We should not force any religion in our public schools as not all families or children follow the same religion. This is promoting one religion, not all of them, and ultimately does nothing to improve or help our struggling school system.

2026 Regular Session HB4433 (Judiciary)

Comment by: Becky Dodds on January 20, 2026 08:45

Vote NO on this bill. The people of WV are tired of the inhumane treatment of immigrants. Try to connect with what little morality you still have and do the right thing. A “YES” vote on this negates my support in the midterms for ANY Republican candidate. -Resident of Morgantown WV.

2026 Regular Session HB4501 (Government Organization)

Comment by: Jayli Flynn on January 20, 2026 08:40

HB 4501 expands interstate practice of dietetics by creating a “compact privilege” that is “equivalent to a license” and allows practice in a “remote state.” Proposed W. Va. Code §30-35A-2. Dietetics is not a casual service: the bill’s definition includes “nutrition care services, including medical nutrition therapy,” including via telehealth, to “prevent, manage, or treat diseases or medical conditions.” Proposed §30-35A-2. Because many residents have serious allergies and medical conditions where nutrition guidance can cause harm if wrong, any expansion of multistate practice must prioritize enforceable oversight and clear accountability. While HB 4501 allows a remote state to take adverse action against a compact privilege and issue subpoenas, Proposed §30-35A-7(a), it also splits discipline between the remote state (privilege) and home state (license), Proposed §30-35A-7(b)-(c), which can delay or complicate accountability after patient harm. HB 4501 also states that a dietitian practicing under compact privilege cannot be required to meet a remote state’s continuing education requirements; only home-state CE applies. Proposed §30-35A-4(d). That is a consumer-protection concern, because WV patients should not have weaker safeguards simply because the practitioner is practicing under a compact privilege. Finally, legislators should be careful about public liability narratives: West Virginia’s Constitution provides sovereign immunity (“shall never be made defendant”), W. Va. Const. art. VI, §35, and claims against the State are handled through separate statutory processes. W. Va. Code §14-2-1. For these reasons, HB 4501 should not advance without stronger, WV-specific safeguards and clear, fast enforcement mechanisms that protect patients first.

2026 Regular Session HB4034 (Education)

Comment by: Kaitlyn Shriver on January 20, 2026 08:38

I do not support this bill. The reason there is a separation of church and state is to allow religion to be practiced without fear or governmental intervention. By posting the Ten Commandments in all elementary schools, you are infringing on student’s religious rights. Would the legislature allow a county to decide that every school in the district must post a copy of the Quran? No! This same principle applies to Christian texts in public schools.

2026 Regular Session HB4433 (Judiciary)

Comment by: Victoria Bosley on January 20, 2026 08:37

I oppose thos legalized human trafficking bill.

2026 Regular Session HB4499 (Judiciary)

Comment by: Jayli Flynn on January 20, 2026 08:35

While HB 4499 attempts to improve compensation standards in eminent domain proceedings by increasing payment to twice the “fair market value,” the bill does not resolve the underlying statutory problem that has historically resulted in landowners being systematically under-compensated, particularly where property has been held by families for generations. Under existing West Virginia eminent domain law, “just compensation” is constitutionally required but is narrowly defined through judicial interpretation as fair market value, not actual loss. Article III, § 9 of the West Virginia Constitution requires compensation when private property is taken for public use, but courts have consistently limited that compensation to market-based appraisal methods rather than real-world impacts on families, livelihoods, or long-standing community ties. Fair market value in West Virginia is determined by comparable sales and hypothetical transactions between a “willing buyer and willing seller,” which excludes non-market factors such as generational ownership, historical use, cultural significance, or the inability of displaced families to replace comparable land in the same community. This valuation framework is embedded in condemnation proceedings under W. Va. Code § 54-2-9 and related appraisal standards, which focus on market comparables rather than actual replacement cost or long-term loss. Even when damages to remaining property are theoretically compensable, landowners bear the burden of proving severance damages under W. Va. Code § 54-2-10, a standard that often fails to account for indirect but real harms such as reduced access, loss of agricultural viability, or fragmentation of inherited land. As a result, many property owners receive offers that do not reflect the true economic or practical value of what is taken from them. HB 4499 does not modify the statutory definition of “fair market value,” nor does it expand compensable factors beyond the existing framework. Doubling an appraisal that is already artificially constrained by statute and precedent does not correct the structural undervaluation that has long affected rural landowners, heirs’ property, and multigenerational family landholdings across West Virginia. Additionally, West Virginia law does not currently require consideration of replacement cost, loss of generational equity, or community displacement impacts, despite these being foreseeable consequences of eminent domain actions. Without statutory direction to include these factors, condemning authorities retain broad discretion to rely on minimal valuation methodologies that disproportionately disadvantage long-standing residents. For these reasons, while HB 4499 represents an improvement over current practice, it does not fully meet the constitutional intent of just compensation as contemplated by Article III, § 9 of the West Virginia Constitution. Any meaningful reform must address not only the multiplier applied to compensation, but also the statutory definition of value itself, to ensure that landowners are not repeatedly low-balled for property that cannot be replaced and represents generations of family investment.

2026 Regular Session HB4498 (Government Organization)

Comment by: Jayli Flynn on January 20, 2026 08:32

HB 4498 amends the Right to Farm Act by expanding definitions in W. Va. Code § 19-19-2 that determine when land qualifies for agricultural protections, which in turn limits enforcement and nuisance actions under § 19-19-4. At the same time, the state has statutory duties under the Water Pollution Control Act (§ 22-11-1 et seq.) and public health law (§ 16-1-1) to ensure safe water for residents, agriculture, and livestock. Expanding liability protections while water infrastructure remains inadequate shifts the consequences of contamination onto farmers and citizens who do not control upstream pollution. Imposing fines or compliance burdens under these conditions is inconsistent with the state’s own statutory obligations to protect health and water quality.

2026 Regular Session HB4496 (Judiciary)

Comment by: Jayli Flynn on January 20, 2026 08:25

I am submitting this public comment in opposition to HB 4496 because it reinforces a practice in which constituent communications are dismissed based on assumptions rather than factual review. In responses to my emails, members of the West Virginia House of Delegates dismissed my correspondence based on a belief that the content was “AI-generated,” without establishing that it was inaccurate, misleading, or deceptive. The information provided was not fact-checked, disputed, or addressed on its merits. In a response to my correspondence, Charles Sheedy stated, “AI automatically deleted.” This response reflects a decision to disregard the communication entirely based on a classification, not on any demonstrated problem with the substance of the information submitted. In another response, Geno Chiarelli wrote, “I’d encourage you to find a method of activism that goes beyond copying and pasting as many AI generated letters as you can find.” This response similarly dismissed the correspondence based on an assumption about how it was created, rather than engaging with whether the claims made were true or false. In both cases, the issue was not misinformation. No factual errors were identified, no corrections were offered, and no evidence was cited to rebut the content. The communications were dismissed solely because they were believed to be “AI-generated,” even though labeling or categorizing speech does not establish falsity or intent to deceive. This approach raises constitutional concerns under the First Amendment to the United States Constitution and Article III, Section 7 of the West Virginia Constitution, which protect the right to speak and to petition government for redress of grievances without being burdened based on form or perceived method of expression. It also implicates Article III, Sections 10 and 17 of the West Virginia Constitution, which guarantee due process and equal protection in access to government. If the Legislature’s concern is misinformation, accountability should be based on factual accuracy. Claims should be evaluated, sources verified, and demonstrably false statements corrected. Dismissing constituent input based on an unproven belief about how it was written avoids factual review and undermines informed legislative decision-making. HB 4496 would formalize this practice by encouraging the dismissal of speech based on labels and assumptions rather than evidence. For these reasons, I urge lawmakers to reject HB 4496 or substantially revise it to ensure that constituent participation is evaluated on facts, not speculation.

2026 Regular Session HB4527 (Finance)

Comment by: Evan Chapman on January 20, 2026 08:15

This is a constant issue that I deal with on a yearly basis. I would love to put my registration on a auto renewal but there needs to be an easy way for me to be able to cancel/update or know when this money has been taken out of my account via an email or paper mail.

2026 Regular Session HB4494 (Government Organization)

Comment by: Jayli Flynn on January 20, 2026 08:01

House Bill 4494 proposes an exemption from nonresident hunting license requirements on private land. However, under W. Va. Code § 20-2-1, the Legislature has declared that wildlife in this state is held in public trust and is subject to regulation for the benefit of all citizens. Because wildlife is not private property, activities involving the taking of wildlife remain a matter of public interest regardless of land ownership. Under W. Va. Code § 20-2-2 and § 20-2-5, the Legislature has established a comprehensive licensing system to regulate who may hunt, when hunting may occur, and under what conditions wildlife may be taken. These provisions are not solely revenue measures; they function as the state’s primary mechanism to ensure compliance with hunting seasons, species protections, and lawful methods of take. A hunting license also serves as the state’s baseline accountability tool. Under W. Va. Code § 20-2-7 and § 20-2-10, violations of hunting laws, including unlawful or negligent taking of wildlife, are enforced through licensing and permitting systems that allow for penalties, revocation, and tracking of repeat violations. Exempting individuals from licensing removes a key enforcement mechanism before harm occurs, shifting regulation from preventative oversight to reactive punishment. Animal welfare and humane practices are implicit in the Legislature’s regulatory authority under W. Va. Code § 20-2-5 and § 20-2-30, which govern lawful methods of hunting and prohibit unlawful or cruel taking of wildlife. A license requirement is the only statewide assurance that individuals are subject to these standards and educated on lawful and humane practices. Private property ownership does not demonstrate competence in firearm safety, species identification, or humane dispatch. Projectiles, wounded animals, and environmental impacts do not stop at property lines, making hunting practices a matter of public safety and ecological concern beyond the landowner. Finally, creating exemptions based on residency or status results in unequal enforcement of laws enacted under W. Va. Code Chapter 20, weakening uniform application of conservation, safety, and animal-welfare standards. For these reasons, exempting individuals from hunting license requirements under HB 4494 conflicts with the public-trust doctrine established in W. Va. Code § 20-2-1, weakens accountability under existing enforcement statutes, and should be reconsidered.

2026 Regular Session HB4433 (Judiciary)

Comment by: Celeste Ledet on January 20, 2026 07:59

Please show humanity to those being abused, regardless of status in the US. As they live here, they are our responsibility to protect.

2026 Regular Session HB4493 (Government Organization)

Comment by: Jayli Flynn on January 20, 2026 07:56

am submitting this comment in opposition to HB 4493 as introduced, or in the alternative to request major amendments, because the bill abolishes a category of private contracting (“wholesaling”) and then authorizes private forfeiture of earnest money and contract cancellation based on an allegation, without any required finding by a court or neutral decisionmaker, creating due-process and property-rights concerns and inviting abuse and litigation. What HB 4493 does (factual summary) •HB 4493 creates a new article, §30-40A-1 through §30-40A-3, titled “The West Virginia Abolishment of Wholesaling Act.” •It defines “wholesaling” as entering a contract to purchase real property with the intent to assign/sell/transfer the contractual rights to a third party for consideration, without taking legal title. •It declares wholesaling “abolished” and “illegal” in West Virginia, with an exception when the purchaser takes legal title before transferring the property. •It creates remedies that apply “notwithstanding any other provision” in the contract: (a) if a person engages in wholesaling, the seller may cancel before close of escrow and “may retain any earnest money paid” by the wholesaler; (b) if a person engages in wholesaling, the buyer may cancel and “must be refunded all earnest money paid”; (c) a buyer may sue the wholesaler for actual damages plus a civil penalty of 20% of the difference between the contract sale price and the wholesaler’s total consideration from assigning/transferring the rights. Why I oppose HB 4493 as written (legal and practical problems) •Due process and property deprivation: HB 4493 authorizes loss of property (earnest money) based on the seller’s claim that the other party “engages in wholesaling,” without requiring any prior court determination or administrative finding, even though the WV Constitution protects against deprivation of property without due process of law. •Federal due process concerns: Because this is state-created authority to deprive someone of money based on alleged conduct, it also raises procedural due-process concerns under the Fourteenth Amendment’s due process clause. •Creates a “self-help” penalty and invites bad-faith cancellations: §30-40A-3(a) effectively incentivizes a seller to label a transaction as “wholesaling,” cancel late in the process, and keep earnest money—then force the buyer to sue to recover it. That is backwards: legal systems normally require neutral process before forfeiture. •Internal inconsistency that will fuel disputes: The bill simultaneously says the seller may keep earnest money (when the seller cancels) and says the buyer must be refunded all earnest money (when the buyer cancels) if “any person engages in wholesaling.” These competing rules will create escrow fights and litigation, not clarity. •Overbroad ban instead of targeted consumer protection: West Virginia already regulates real estate practice through the Real Estate License Act, which is explicitly framed around protecting the public from unscrupulous practices, and the state can target fraud and misrepresentation directly rather than banning an entire class of contracts by definition. •Misalignment with how escrow/earnest money is typically safeguarded: In many regulated contexts, West Virginia law uses structured escrow-release conditions and documentation before funds can be released, reflecting that escrow funds should not be diverted without clear process; HB 4493’s “retain any earnest money” language does not build in comparable safeguards or adjudication. Public-interest and equity concerns (why this matters to the public) •Even though the money transfer is “private,” the Legislature would be creating a state-backed rule that allows private forfeiture without neutral review, which undermines public trust in WV contracting and increases court burden and consumer harm. •This approach risks harming lower-income residents and first-time buyers most: earnest money is often the hardest upfront cost to replace; a rule that allows forfeiture based on accusation (rather than proven fraud) will chill lawful participation in housing markets and increase instability. Requested fixes (if the Legislature will not reject HB 4493) •Add a due-process gate: require a court finding (or a clear administrative process with notice and hearing) that prohibited wholesaling occurred before any earnest money can be forfeited or retained under §30-40A-3(a). •Clarify escrow handling: require escrow agents to hold disputed earnest money until a signed release by both parties or a court order (standard practice in many real estate disputes) instead of automatic “seller may retain.” •Narrow the definition: replace subjective “intent to assign” with objective triggers (e.g., advertising the contract for assignment, collecting assignment fees without disclosures, repeated assignments within a defined period) so ordinary contract contingencies and lawful transfers are not swept in. •Regulate disclosures rather than ban: if the concern is deception, require written disclosures to sellers/buyers about assignment, fees, and whether the buyer will take title, plus penalties for misrepresentation—this targets harm directly without creating a blanket ban and due-process problems. Conclusion HB 4493, as written, does not just “stop wholesaling”—it creates an unconstitutional-risk structure where private parties can be deprived of earnest money without a required neutral determination, contrary to West Virginia’s due-process protections and the Fourteenth Amendment, and it will increase disputes and litigation while failing to precisely target fraud. I urge the Legislature to reject HB 4493 as introduced or amend it to require adjudication, escrow safeguards, and narrow, objective definitions.

2026 Regular Session HB4489 (Energy and Public Works)

Comment by: Jayli Flynn on January 20, 2026 07:46

HB 4489 authorizes the Division of Motor Vehicles to issue certified copies of vital records under the rules of the State Registrar and requires the DMV and the Department of Health to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) addressing security, audit, inventory, and training requirements. While these provisions exist, the bill does not specify how transparency, public accountability, or independent oversight will be enforced once this authority is expanded. The bill relies on internal agency agreements and internal controls, but it does not require public reporting of audit findings, errors, delays, denials, or discrepancies between agencies. There is also no statutory requirement for independent review or external oversight beyond the participating agencies themselves. This is a concern because existing oversight systems in West Virginia often operate within narrow jurisdictional limits, which can result in documented issues not being investigated or addressed once an agency determines a matter falls outside its authority. HB 4489 does not establish a clear public complaint or appeal process specific to DMV-issued vital records, nor does it define how disputes will be resolved if responsibility is shifted between the DMV and the State Registrar. Without clearly assigned accountability in statute, there is a risk that records errors, access barriers, or data integrity problems could be deferred between agencies without resolution. Additionally, the bill does not require public disclosure when records systems are divided, duplicated, or accessed across agencies, even though vital records are among the most sensitive personal documents handled by the state. Internal audits and security provisions contained in an MOU are not equivalent to statutory transparency requirements that the public can rely on and enforce. Before expanding authority to issue vital records, the Legislature should consider whether additional safeguards are needed, including clear accountability when agencies disagree, defined appeal rights for the public, and transparency measures that ensure this change does not make records harder to obtain or less consistent. Without those protections written into law, HB 4489 increases reliance on internal agency processes without guaranteeing public visibility or enforceable oversight.

2026 Regular Session HB4537 (Environment, Infrastructure, and Technology)

Comment by: Jayli Flynn on January 20, 2026 07:31

I am submitting this public comment regarding House Bill 4537 (2026 Regular Session) to formally place my documented research, FOIA findings, and personal health impacts into the legislative record. HB 4537 would require municipalities and public service districts to calculate the cost of extending water service, apply for funding through the West Virginia Infrastructure and Jobs Development Council, and extend service to additional customers when grants are awarded and required deposits are paid. While expanding access to water service is important, this bill advances infrastructure expansion without addressing the statutory and regulatory failures that allow unsafe or inadequately protected water to be delivered under current law. West Virginians already pay twice for clean water: • through taxes that fund environmental regulation, public health oversight, and enforcement, and • through monthly water bills paid to regulated water utilities whose legal duty is to treat and deliver safe drinking water. Despite this, residents across the state are repeatedly advised to rely on household water filters due to ongoing water quality concerns. Filters are not free, require ongoing replacement, are not affordable for many households, and are not an equitable substitute for safe public water. Shifting responsibility to residents is not a solution and is not what taxpayers or ratepayers are paying for. HB 4537 operates within an existing statutory framework that emphasizes administrative compliance and infrastructure financing rather than health-protective outcomes, including: • W. Va. Code § 16-1-9A, which focuses on source water protection planning and assessment but does not require enforceable contaminant reduction; • W. Va. Code § 16-13-1 et seq. and § 16-13A-1 et seq., which govern public water systems and public service districts but rely almost entirely on federal Safe Drinking Water Act minimums that are compliance-based rather than health-protective; • W. Va. Code § 22-11-1 et seq., which allows reliance on running annual averages, masks peak contaminant levels, and permits repeated exceedances before enforcement; • the Lead and Copper Rule as adopted by West Virginia, which relies on an action level rather than a health-safe standard despite acknowledgment that no level of lead exposure is safe; and • the PFAS Protection Act, which requires monitoring and planning but does not impose enforceable removal standards or health-protective limits. Through multiple FOIA requests and public records, I documented contaminants in local and regional water systems, including PFAS, disinfection byproducts such as TTHMs and HAAs, hexavalent chromium, lead, and radiological contaminants. I compared those documented exposure pathways with my own medical laboratory trends to assess biological plausibility. That analysis shows patterns consistent with chronic low-dose chemical exposure, including liver stress indicators, thyroid-axis disruption, and kidney filtration changes. I am not alleging definitive causation and I am not making a medical diagnosis; I am documenting that my health data aligns with exposure pathways that current statutes explicitly allow. HB 4537 would require water systems to expand service without strengthening health-protective standards, without requiring contaminant reduction prior to expansion, without addressing affordability and equity impacts, and without correcting transparency and oversight gaps. Expanding infrastructure under these conditions expands exposure rather than protection. Telling residents to use filters transfers responsibility from the state and regulated utilities to individuals, imposes ongoing costs many cannot afford, fails to address all contaminants, and creates unequal protection based on income. Clean water should not depend on personal purchasing power. Before advancing HB 4537, the Legislature should tie infrastructure expansion to health-protective contaminant standards, require plain-language disclosure of cumulative and chronic exposure risks, prohibit reliance on running averages without peak-value transparency, address the affordability and equity impacts of filtration-based approaches, and require independent public-health review when contaminants exceed recognized health-based goals. Compliance does not equal safety. Infrastructure does not equal protection. Water policy is health policy. My health, and the health of West Virginians across this state, should not be an acceptable cost of regulatory convenience.

2026 Regular Session HB4433 (Judiciary)

Comment by: Lou Assaro on January 20, 2026 06:57

This bill seeks to codify the term "illegal alien". I am a former U.S. Immigration Officer and Immigration Court Administrator. For decades federal agencies have refrained from using the term "illegal alien" because it dehumanizes people, specifically undocumented immigrants. The term may inspire hate.

As a young U.S. Army officer in Germany in the 1980’s, I met a former Nazi SS officer. Decades after the close of WW2 and with full knowledge of the extent of the Holocaust, this old man recounted to me that Nazi Germany did Europe a service in removing the Jews from this Earth. He did this while showing me his Nazi SS dagger. The point here is Nazi propaganda was so effective that decades later, the hate for the Jews still lived in this man.

The non-stop hate and anti-immigrant messaging created by the Trump administration coupled with right-wing propaganda outlets that amplify their message is dangerous and will have decades long impact on our society. The demonization of immigrants, of Democrats, and anyone else that dares to call out the brutality and corruption of this administration is a direct threat to our Republic. Codifying the term "illegal alien" into West Virginia law is one more step in dehumanizing undocumented immigrants in our state. I implore the West Virginia Legislature to strike the term "illegal alien" from this bill.

2026 Regular Session HB4574 (Finance)

Comment by: Jayli Flynn on January 20, 2026 06:45

HB 4574 does not create real accountability — it creates a financial backstop. The bill allows the state to loan emergency funds to financially distressed school districts, but it does not require criminal referral, mandatory prosecution, or automatic consequences for officials whose actions caused the collapse. West Virginia has a long, documented pattern where people in positions of authority: • mismanage or misuse public funds • resign or retire once exposed • avoid charges or receive minimal penalties • leave taxpayers to absorb the losses As shown repeatedly across state, county, municipal, law-enforcement, and education offices from 2010–2025, resignation has often functioned as an exit strategy, not accountability. HB 4574 continues that pattern by: • protecting institutions financially while shielding individuals • allowing responsible officials to step aside without mandatory investigation • shifting the burden to taxpayers instead of enforcing personal liability Emergency funding without enforced consequences incentivizes repetition. If no one is required to answer for the failure, the failure will happen again. Fiscal rescue without accountability is not reform — it is risk transfer.

2026 Regular Session HB4575 (Finance)

Comment by: Jayli Flynn on January 20, 2026 06:40

I oppose HB 4575 as structured. HB 4575 is not federal funding and it does not restore base education appropriations. It is a state supplemental appropriation that transfers surplus state revenue into the Temporary Shortfall Supplement Fund, a mechanism that requires financially distressed county school systems to repay the funds they receive. In effect, counties are required to incur debt in order to meet core educational obligations. Education in West Virginia is a constitutionally required public function under Article XII, Section 1 of the West Virginia Constitution, which mandates a thorough and efficient system of free schools. Treating core education funding as conditional or repayable undermines the stability and uniformity required to meet that obligation, particularly for counties already facing economic hardship. While HB 4575 may not be facially unconstitutional, it raises serious concerns about unequal access and long-term compliance. Counties with fewer resources are disproportionately forced into loan arrangements, creating disparities in educational quality and access across the state. If repayment obligations result in program cuts, staffing reductions, or failure to provide federally required services, this approach risks violating equal protection principles under the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution and triggering civil-rights exposure under federal law, including Title VI of the Civil Rights Act and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. From a fiscal-governance standpoint, converting already-appropriated public education funds into loans normalizes the reclassification of core public funding as discretionary financial instruments. This weakens budget integrity, shifts financial risk away from the Legislature, and allows lawmakers to claim they are “funding education” without restoring predictable, adequate base funding. Education is not a bailout, a surplus expense, or a debt instrument. It is an essential public investment tied directly to workforce development, job access, and long-term economic growth. HB 4575 addresses symptoms of fiscal distress without correcting the underlying policy choices that created those conditions. Stable, upfront, and equitable education funding should be restored rather than replaced with repayable stopgap measures that shift responsibility onto counties, students, and local taxpayers.

2026 Regular Session HB4034 (Education)

Comment by: Alison Witte on January 20, 2026 06:17

This bill seems to me to violate the separation of church and state.

2026 Regular Session HB4433 (Judiciary)

Comment by: Kim Basnett on January 20, 2026 06:17

Please do not support HB 4433. This bill keeps victims of human trafficking from seeking restitution from their assailants.

2026 Regular Session HB4449 (Public Education)

Comment by: Alexandra Barber on January 20, 2026 05:43

There are existing issues with the Special Education camera law that this was copied from. Legislation will be presented to change that law very soon and I would urge that this not be passed as it is currently written. The safety of children needs to be the main focus and given the utmost importance. Incidents should not be hidden to protect abusers, no matter their position or role.

2026 Regular Session HB4369 (Finance)

Comment by: Laurie Townsend on January 20, 2026 05:29

I support stronger laws and higher penalties for illegally parking or standing in handicapped spaces. These spaces are essential for people with disabilities to safely access businesses, workplaces, and public services. When they are misused, it creates real barriers and puts people at risk. Current penalties are often treated as a minor inconvenience rather than a deterrent. Increasing fines and strengthening enforcement would send a clear message that accessibility laws matter and will be taken seriously. Respecting handicap parking is not optional—it is a matter of basic fairness and safety. I urge you to support legislation that strengthens penalties and enforcement for handicap parking violations.

2026 Regular Session HB4369 (Finance)

Comment by: Laurie Townsend on January 20, 2026 05:22

I support exempting essential hygiene and infant products from sales tax. Items like diapers, formula, and menstrual products are basic necessities, not luxuries. In a state like West Virginia, taxing these items places an unfair burden on low-income families and those already struggling to get by.

Removing this tax would provide immediate relief, promote public health, and reflect basic fairness. I urge you to support this exemption.

2026 Regular Session HB4175 (Government Organization)

Comment by: Laurie Townsend on January 20, 2026 05:09

I am writing to express my opposition to any effort to repeal automobile inspection requirements. These inspections exist to ensure that vehicles on our roads are safe and properly maintained. Repealing them would remove an important safeguard that helps prevent accidents caused by faulty brakes, lights, tires, and other critical systems. Vehicle inspections protect not only the driver but everyone on the road. Without them, cars with dangerous defects could remain in operation, putting innocent drivers, passengers, and pedestrians at risk. Rather than cutting inspections, we should focus on making them efficient and effective, not eliminating a program that keeps our roads safer. For the safety of all West Virginians, I urge you to oppose any legislation that would remove automobile inspection requirements. Ensuring vehicles are safe is a basic responsibility that protects lives and prevents unnecessary accidents.

2026 Regular Session HB4371 (Judiciary)

Comment by: Laurie Townsend on January 20, 2026 05:00

I urge you to support legalizing cannabis for adult use, production, and sale in West Virginia. Legal cannabis can generate significant tax revenue, create new jobs, and boost local businesses—providing a much-needed economic lift for our state. Beyond the economic benefits, adults should have the freedom to make their own choices regarding cannabis use, similar to alcohol or tobacco. Legalization also allows for regulated, safe markets while reducing unnecessary strain on law enforcement and the courts. Supporting this legislation is a practical way to strengthen our economy, respect personal freedom, and modernize West Virginia’s approach to cannabis.

2026 Regular Session HB4034 (Education)

Comment by: Laurie Townsend on January 20, 2026 04:48

I am writing to express my opposition to any effort to post the Ten Commandments in public schools. Public schools serve a diverse population of students from many religious backgrounds, as well as those who practice no religion. Displaying a document rooted in a single faith inherently excludes and alienates students who do not share that tradition. Education should be inclusive and neutral when it comes to religion. Families who wish for their children to receive religious instruction have the option of enrolling them in private or religious schools. Public schools, funded by all taxpayers, should not promote a particular religious viewpoint. This type of legislation does not address the real needs of students or schools and appears to be a symbolic measure aimed at appealing to a political base rather than serving the public interest. It diverts attention and resources from core educational priorities such as improving literacy, funding teachers, and maintaining safe learning environments. For these reasons, I urge you to oppose any legislation that would post the Ten Commandments or any religious text in public schools. Public education should remain a space of inclusion, respect, and neutrality.

2026 Regular Session HB4079 (Health and Human Resources)

Comment by: Laurie Townsend on January 20, 2026 04:40

I am writing to express my opposition to Bill 4079, which seeks to eliminate so-called “woke” or “anti-woman” language from state government materials. While language and inclusivity are important topics, this bill does not address any tangible problems and would instead divert time, energy, and taxpayer dollars from the real issues facing our state. Legislation should focus on creating meaningful improvements to the lives of constituents—healthcare, education, infrastructure, and public safety. Passing a bill that regulates language in government documents does not achieve measurable outcomes and seems designed primarily to appeal to a political base rather than serve the public interest. Implementing and enforcing this law would require significant administrative resources for minimal or symbolic benefit. We need lawmakers to prioritize policies that deliver real value to the people of our state. A bill focused on policing language in official documents is a distraction from pressing challenges and a waste of limited public resources. For these reasons, I urge you to oppose this legislation.

2026 Regular Session HB4073 (Health and Human Resources)

Comment by: Laurie Townsend on January 20, 2026 04:26

I am writing to urge you to oppose any law allowing religious exemptions for compulsory immunizations. Vaccination requirements exist to protect public health, particularly for the most vulnerable members of our community—infants, the elderly, and those who cannot receive vaccines for medical reasons. Allowing exemptions based solely on personal or religious belief would weaken these protections and put entire communities at risk. Medical exemptions are grounded in verifiable health risks. Religious exemptions, however, are subjective and unverifiable. If ideology alone can override public health law, we risk outbreaks of preventable diseases, as we have already seen with measles and whooping cough in areas with high exemption rates. Viruses do not respect individual beliefs—they spread where immunity gaps exist. Legislators have a responsibility to base public policy on evidence and the common good. Freedom of religion is a core American value, but it does not extend to actions that directly harm others. Public health law already limits certain freedoms—such as child safety standards and quarantine regulations—to prevent preventable harm. Immunization requirements fall into the same category. For the safety of your constituents and the integrity of public health, religious exemptions should not be allowed for compulsory immunizations. Doing so would place ideology above science, and the consequences would be borne by the innocent. Thank you for your consideration.

2026 Regular Session HB4069 (Finance)

Comment by: Laurie Townsend on January 20, 2026 04:04

A few years ago my son was in a near fatal motorcycle wreck off of Corridor G. He was thrown from his bike at 24 years old. He was going about 12-15 mph when he was pulling out of Blizzards motorcycleshop. His caliber locked up. His body flew into a Ford F150. That same Ford F150 ran his head over. Thankfully he had a helmet on, it was a miracle he was wearing a quick release helmet or his neck would have snapped. His aorta needed repaired as well as his scalp that was peeled back. His spleen was removed. He had to have a bar put in his leg. He was in a special turning bed because his lungs would fill up with blood that they never told us where it was coming from. He is on blood pressure medicine for the rest of his life. He also has to be careful because he doesnt have a spleen. He was in CAMC General for 40 days. The doctors also said he wouldn't probably wouldn't have survived if he was older. My husband had to be there watching our son with blood bubbling out of his mouth until the ambulance arrived since they were riding together. If you saw him today, other than the scar where they sewed his scalp back on, you would never have known he was through such a horrible tragic accident. We still have the helmet with the tire track on it. So anybody who thinks helmets impede their freedom just think where we would be if he wasn't wearing that helmet, maybe he would have survived and had brain damage. He definitely would not have survived without that helmet. That would not be freedom. Think of the families and loved ones first. They are who would have to take care of a biker if they barely survive an accident. They are also the ones who have to bury the rider if they don't survive. It would matter to the biker because they'd be dead or brain dead. The family would be the ones left behind in the aftermath. As parents this really took a toll on us. Even though it happened 6 years ago we still get choked up talking about it. Please keep helmet laws so another parent wouldn't feel the way we did wondering if our son would live a life with brain damage or worse, death. His care in the hospital cost over $1.5 million. He worked and had insurance but because he was in there so long he had to get Medicaid to cover what his insurance wouldn't. Please don't pass this bill. We have been where people shouldn't be. We love our son. If this bill is passed and someone dies their blood is on your hands because you could have prevented it.

2026 Regular Session HB4433 (Judiciary)

Comment by: Samantha jones on January 20, 2026 02:01

No! Absolutley NOT! Opposed!

2026 Regular Session HB4038 (Energy and Public Works)

Comment by: Susan Perry on January 20, 2026 01:13

Why would our state want to limit a clean source of energy production? If the Governor’s goal is to increase energy production, how does this help meet that goal? And why would the establishment of a wind project cause a decrease in the coal severance fee? These are two unrelated items.

2026 Regular Session HB4034 (Education)

Comment by: Katherine King on January 20, 2026 00:54

I have concerns about this bill being introduced. It ignores an important precedent to not discriminate based on religion or creed. By forcing public schools to display the Ten Commandments, it sends a message to children and faculty that are Muslim, Jewish, Atheist etc that they are excluded in a place of mandatory attendance. It favors one religion over all others. Let public school be for education and churches, mosques, synagogues and other places of worship be separate. As an alternative, why not post the Golden Rule?

2026 Regular Session HB4369 (Finance)

Comment by: Katherine King on January 20, 2026 00:37

I would like to add that I hope the legislature will consider funding for free period products to be accessible in West Virginia schools.

2026 Regular Session HB4433 (Judiciary)

Comment by: Andrea Barron on January 20, 2026 00:37

I am writing to express my strong objection to HB 4433. While I support efforts to combat human trafficking and protect victims, I find it horrible and dehumanizing that this bill would deny restitution to victims based on immigration status.

Every person, regardless of where they were born or their legal status, is a human being deserving of protection and justice. Using terms like “illegal alien” to determine eligibility for restitution strips individuals of their humanity and punishes them for circumstances beyond their control—often circumstances that traffickers exploit.

Denying restitution to any victim of human trafficking undermines justice, discourages reporting, and places vulnerable people at even greater risk. I urge you to reject this provision and ensure that all victims, without exception, have access to restitution and full legal protection.

2026 Regular Session HB4106 (Judiciary)

Comment by: Andrea Barron on January 20, 2026 00:29

I am writing to express my strong objection to HB 4106, which would allow 18–20-year-olds to carry a concealed firearm without a license. While I respect the rights of adults, this bill ignores well-documented scientific research showing that the prefrontal cortex—the part of the brain responsible for reasoning, impulse control, and long-term planning—continues developing well into the mid-20s.

Young adults in this age range, particularly males, are more prone to emotional volatility and risk-taking behaviors. Removing licensing and training requirements places these individuals and their communities at increased risk of accidents, violence, and tragedy.

Laws regulating firearms exist for a reason: to ensure that those carrying weapons have adequate training, judgment, and accountability. Expanding concealed carry to an age group still undergoing critical brain development is not rooted in science or public safety—it is ideology over evidence.

I urge legislators to vote against HB 4106 and protect both young adults and the broader public from unnecessary risk.

2026 Regular Session HB4100 (Education)

Comment by: Andrea Barron on January 20, 2026 00:27

I am writing to express my strong opposition to HB 4100, the so-called “Baby Olivia Act.” This bill mandates that public schools use specific materials—such as the Live Action “Meet Baby Olivia” video—to teach students about fetal development. These materials are not rooted in peer‑reviewed, scientifically validated research, but rather reflect a particular ideological perspective.

Education, particularly in human biology and health, must be based on credible science and evidence, not propaganda designed to promote a political or religious agenda. If this bill passes and my children’s schools are required to comply, I will remove my children from class on the days this content is taught. Parents should not be forced to have their children taught content that substitutes ideology for science.

HB 4100 prioritizes beliefs over evidence, and in doing so, it undermines both education and trust in public schools. I urge you to vote against this bill to protect science-based instruction and respect parents’ rights.

2026 Regular Session HB4073 (Health and Human Resources)

Comment by: Andrea Barron on January 20, 2026 00:22

I am writing to express strong opposition to HB 4079 and HB 4073. Both bills share a dangerous pattern: they prioritize ideology over evidence, and they put communities at risk.

HB 4079 seeks to control language in government communications, mandating specific terms while banning others. This is not about clarity or fairness—it is about government control for the sake of ideology. It overreaches into personal and professional expression and sets a precedent for further intrusion.

HB 4073 would create religious exemptions to West Virginia’s compulsory school vaccination laws. This is particularly alarming because we are seeing measles and other vaccine‑preventable diseases resurging nationwide. Opening exemptions now is not supported by scientific, peer‑reviewed research—it is rooted in belief, not evidence. Public health experts consistently show that high vaccination rates save lives; loosening requirements puts children, families, and communities at unnecessary risk.

Both bills prioritize political platforms and ideology over science and safety. This is not a matter of “liberty” when it endangers lives. I urge you to vote against HB 4079 and HB 4073 to protect freedom of expression, public health, and the well-being of West Virginia families.

2026 Regular Session HB4369 (Finance)

Comment by: Katherine King on January 20, 2026 00:19

Thank you for introducing this bill. I've read about the "tampon tax", and how some other states have decided to reduce or eliminate the tax. I think it will greatly benefit West Virginians to follow suit.

2026 Regular Session HB4079 (Health and Human Resources)

Comment by: Andrea Barron on January 20, 2026 00:17

HB 4079 is not about “clarity” or “inclusion.” It is about control—the government telling citizens and state employees what words they must use. That is overreach, plain and simple.

Language is personal. It evolves. No law should dictate how people speak, write, or describe experiences. Mandating specific terms in official communications sets a dangerous precedent for government intrusion into everyday life.

I urge you to reject HB 4079. Protect freedom of expression. Stop the government from policing words.

2026 Regular Session HB4070 (Health and Human Resources)

Comment by: Andrea Barron on January 20, 2026 00:02

I submit this comment in opposition to House Bill 4070 based on concerns about scientific accuracy, public health practice, and unintended consequences. HB 4070 establishes a blanket legal equivalence — or preference — between “natural immunity” and vaccine-induced immunity across communicable diseases. This approach is not supported by immunology or epidemiological science. Immunity is disease-specific, time-dependent, and variable between individuals. For some diseases, natural infection may confer long-lasting protection; for others, immunity is partial, short-lived, or inconsistent. Vaccines are developed precisely because natural infection often carries significant risks and does not reliably produce safe or durable immunity. Public health policy evaluates immunity on a case-by-case, disease-specific basis, not through universal classifications. HB 4070 does not account for:

Variability in immune response after infection
Waning immunity over time
Differences in protection against severe illness versus infection
The risks inherent in acquiring immunity through illness rather than prevention

By treating natural immunity as legally equivalent or preferred, the bill risks discouraging vaccination, which remains the safest and most predictable method for preventing serious illness and protecting vulnerable populations.

From a public health standpoint, policies that implicitly incentivize infection undermine decades of evidence-based disease prevention.

Additionally, immunity status is not static. Scientific guidance evolves as pathogens mutate and new data emerge. Codifying a rigid legal definition of immunity removes necessary flexibility from public health decision-making and replaces evidence-based assessment with statutory mandate.

Public health law functions best when it allows medical professionals to respond to current data rather than requiring them to conform to fixed assumptions about complex biological systems. HB 4070 substitutes legal certainty for scientific nuance, which poses risks to individual and community health.

For these reasons, I urge the Legislature to reject HB 4070 and to rely instead on established public health expertise, peer-reviewed science, and disease-specific evidence when considering immunity and vaccination policy.

2026 Regular Session HB4034 (Education)

Comment by: Andrea Barron on January 19, 2026 23:56

As a seminarian to be a future ordained minister in Word and Service, I object House Bill 4034, based on theological grounds, and rooted in my own Christian faith and traditions. I always ask the question of such bills, what is the intention behind such implementation? As a Christian, I hold the Ten Commandments as sacred Scripture. Precisely because of that reverence, I believe they should never be compelled by the state as a display in public school classrooms. When the government mandates the use of holy text, it does not honor faith — it diminishes it. In Christian theology, God’s law is not a decorative object, nor is it a tool of coercion. The Commandments are given within covenant and relationship, not imposed by political authority. To require their display by the state divorces them from their sacred context and risks turning living faith into a symbol of power rather than a call to love God and neighbor. My faith teaches a careful distinction between the vocation of the state and the vocation of the church. The state is charged with maintaining justice and order. The church is charged with proclaiming the Word, forming conscience, and teaching faith. When the state assumes the role of religious instructor or symbol-bearer, it oversteps its vocation and harms both church and society. I am also deeply concerned about the impact of this bill on children. Public school classrooms serve students of many faiths and of no faith. Mandating the display of a particular religious text signals to some children that they are outsiders in a space meant to belong equally to all. As Christians, we are commanded to care especially for the vulnerable — not to place additional burdens on them. Faith that is compelled is not faith. Scripture displayed by mandate does not transform hearts; it risks hardening them. Genuine moral formation arises through relationship, teaching, community, and example — not through state-imposed religious symbols. The 10 Commandments given by God are YOURS to own. Are MINE to own. Not to be told from another person, entity, or organization, what the laws of nature are for me. For these reasons, I believe HB 4034 is not only constitutionally troubling, but theologically unsound. It confuses the mission of the church with the authority of the state and undermines the very faith it claims to honor. This bill risks entangling the state in religious endorsement in ways that will invite litigation, public backlash, and long-term harm to religious freedom. Once the government decides which religious texts must be displayed, it sets a precedent that future legislatures — with very different values — can use in ways current supporters may not welcome. I urge you to reject this bill and to uphold both religious freedom and the proper boundaries between faith and government. Respectfully, Andrea Barron

2026 Regular Session HB4433 (Judiciary)

Comment by: Aju James on January 19, 2026 23:51

Please refuse to move this bill to the floor of the House of Delegates. This unnecessary bill does not address any real concerns of our state's people. Its only purpose is to make worse the lives of immigrants living in our state by preventing their free association with other residents. It is also useful to remember that a very similar bill was passed by the House in 2025, only to wither away in the Senate Judiciary committee. I implore you not to waste precious time on this unnecessary bill.

2026 Regular Session HB4433 (Judiciary)

Comment by: Roy Hendrix on January 19, 2026 23:45

A victim of human trafficking is a victim regardless of immigration status. Attempting to restrict the rights of victims of human trafficing is inhumane and cruel. Health care, education, fixing PEIA, and affordability of housing and utilities are critical needs for West Virginians. Please direct your efforts to these areas.

2026 Regular Session HB4175 (Government Organization)

Comment by: Quentin B on January 19, 2026 23:41

We are facing the most complicated vehicles in the history of the automobile and the least knowledge among the general public of how they work. Most people will drive on bad tires, worn brakes, or dead taillights unless someone tells them. This isn’t just a hazard for the people driving those cars but for everyone else on the road, too. As an automotive engineer, I oppose this bill.

2026 Regular Session HB4504 (Government Organization)

Comment by: richard hewitt on January 19, 2026 23:30

I feel that the wildlife policies should be determined by the biologists and researchers, and based on facts and not the opinions of directors or legislators

2026 Regular Session HB4504 (Government Organization)

Comment by: Ed McMinn on January 19, 2026 22:36

This bill seeks to usurp the authority of the DNR Natural Resources Commission. Wildlife management decisions should not be political fodder for personal agendas. The DNR has a process to seek public opinion from sportsmen and women and ultimately wildlife management decisions should be based on science not personal opinions or agendas. While I applaud the WV house for providing a way to make public comment the majority of sportsmen and women are not engaged politically. As the President of the West Virginia Bowhunters Association we are not in favor of using legislation to enact wildlife management policy. Leave those decisions to trained, educated biologists.

2026 Regular Session HB4176 (Agriculture, Commerce, and Tourism)

Comment by: Ed McMinn on January 19, 2026 22:26

While I have no issues with allowing youth or handicapped to harvest a buck or doe during the youth season(s), this should not be done via legislative process. Putting such regulations in state code is bad policy. The DNR has a process to follow with this decision being made by the Natural Resources Commission. Please respect the process and do not advance this bill out of committee.

2026 Regular Session HB4005 (Government Organization)

Comment by: Emmett Pepper on January 19, 2026 22:13

I can't believe this bill is actually making it onto agendas. We don't need to have more kids working in dangerous jobs. Please do not support this. Thanks,

2026 Regular Session HB4034 (Education)

Comment by: Kristie Woodward on January 19, 2026 21:31

I strongly oppose the posting of the Ten Commandments in public schools. As government entities, public schools are bound by the First Amendment, which prohibits the establishment of religion and requires state neutrality with respect to religious belief. Posting a religious text specific to certain faith traditions constitutes government endorsement of religion. Students are a captive audience and cannot reasonably opt out of exposure to religious messaging in the school environment. Such displays risk marginalizing students of differing faiths or no faith, undermining the constitutional guarantee of equal protection and religious freedom. Religious instruction is appropriately left to families and faith-based institutions. Public schools must remain secular to ensure compliance with constitutional principles and to serve all students equitably.

2026 Regular Session HB4433 (Judiciary)

Comment by: Sue A Westfall on January 19, 2026 21:25

This bill should not be adopted. Are citizens of WV supposed to ask for proof of citizenship or proper immigration papers before they offer individuals a ride home or invite them into their house? Would any of us recognize proper paperwork if we saw it? This law is not necessary, nor is it a good use of time.

2026 Regular Session HB4034 (Education)

Comment by: Laura Thomas on January 19, 2026 21:23

Please don’t allow or require schools to post any religious content. All students of all faith and non-faith backgrounds deserve to feel welcome. Government is, by law, secular. School is no place for religious indoctrination. Passage of this bill is nothing but costly virtue signaling. It will be challenged and overturned in court. Focus on funding schools and ensuring better pay for teachers, staff, and administrators. That’s what you were elected to do.

2026 Regular Session HB4369 (Finance)

Comment by: Amanda B on January 19, 2026 21:18

I support this bill.

2026 Regular Session HB4167 (Government Administration)

Comment by: Brian Powell on January 19, 2026 21:06

I support this bill. Redistricting should not be treated as a political matter. Politicians should not select their constituents.

2026 Regular Session HB4060 (Finance)

Comment by: Quentin Berg on January 19, 2026 21:04

If a company’s clientele doesn’t use cash, this becomes undue burden to small businesses. If the customers demand cash, the business will offer it to stay in business (a feature of capitalism). Utilities and similar necessities should be required to take cash because that would put undue burden on members of our community, but for food trucks and really any other non necessity businesses, let them run their businesses how they see fit. As is typical with this government, again you are focusing on the things that aren’t actual problems for people of WV.

2026 Regular Session HB4069 (Finance)

Comment by: Amanda B on January 19, 2026 21:02

I oppose this bill. Helmets safe lives.

2026 Regular Session HB4409 (Judiciary)

Comment by: Brian Powell on January 19, 2026 20:57

I oppose this bill. Legislators should not receive special treatment.

2026 Regular Session HB4060 (Finance)

Comment by: Amanda B on January 19, 2026 20:56

I oppose this bill. Many small businesses are able to operate with cashless technology. A food truck for example does not need the liability of driving around with cash.

2026 Regular Session HB4470 (Judiciary)

Comment by: Brian Powell on January 19, 2026 20:55

I strongly oppose this bill, which undermine election integrity by making it possible for people to sell their vote.

2026 Regular Session HB4069 (Finance)

Comment by: Elizabeth Clark on January 19, 2026 20:52

The use of helmets by motorcycle operators has proven to be an effective means of reducing injuries to the operator. Removing this requirement will increase the number of serious injuries and increase the cost of vehicle insurance for everyone. I request that you vote against this reckless bill.

2026 Regular Session HB4433 (Judiciary)

Comment by: Sunita Torres on January 19, 2026 20:52

This bill is disgusting and should have never been drafted, let alone be presented for consideration.

2026 Regular Session HB4509 (Energy and Public Works)

Comment by: Melanie Climis on January 19, 2026 20:51

HB4509 needs to become law. The burdens connected with data centres that the existing legislation places on communities are extreme. Water and power demands will leave communities struggling through scarcity or expense under the current law.

HB4509 places regulation and control back in hands of those who will be most impacted by those burdens. HB4509 must become law.

2026 Regular Session HB4530 (Energy and Public Works)

Comment by: Brian Powell on January 19, 2026 20:48

I oppose this bill. There is no reason why intersections in retail shopping areas should be prioritized any differently than any other road improvement project. A better course of action is to require that property owners generating a significant amount of traffic be assessed the cost of making improvements that serve their properties rather than expecting taxpayers to pay the bill.

2026 Regular Session HB4465 (Education)

Comment by: Forest A Dolin on January 19, 2026 20:39

This bill could help people trying to get certified through a non traditional pathway. Working your way up from a substitute to a fully certified teacher will be easier when the pay is not as restricted.

2026 Regular Session HB4122 (Public Education)

Comment by: Brian Powell on January 19, 2026 20:37

Two years later and not even a cost-of-living adjustment to pay rates? Unacceptable. No wonder West Virginia has trouble retaining teachers.

2026 Regular Session HB4433 (Judiciary)

Comment by: Barbara Peet on January 19, 2026 20:35

I have several issues with HB 4433. 1. HB 4433 raises serious concerns about cost and liability for our state and local governments. Expanding enforcement roles usually means higher expenses, and more lawsuits. 2. I oppose HB 4433 because it raises real concerns about due process and constitutional rights. Expanding enforcement power without strong oversight puts fundamental freedoms at risk. West Virginians value fairness, accountability, and limits on government overreach. This bill doesn’t align with those values. Lawmakers should reject HB 4433 and uphold the civil liberties of everyone who calls West Virginia home. 3. Most importantly, as a West Virginian, I care about the safety and stability of my community. HB 4433 would create fear and uncertainty for families who live, work, and contribute here every day. Punitive, surveillance based policies don’t solve complex issues. They erode trust and make communities weaker, not stronger. Please oppose HB 4433 and support solutions that actually bring people

2026 Regular Session HB4433 (Judiciary)

Comment by: Brian Powell on January 19, 2026 20:33

I strongly oppose this bill. Someone's immigration status has no bearing on if they become a victim of human trafficking. It is inhumane to single out and exclude a group from restitution for the crimes done against them in the way this bill proposes.

2026 Regular Session HB4376 (Judiciary)

Comment by: Brian Powell on January 19, 2026 20:29

I support this bill. I would like to see it go further by banning appointments of business partners as well.

2026 Regular Session HB4122 (Public Education)

Comment by: Brian Powell on January 19, 2026 20:23

I oppose this bill absent a mandate to provide additional state funding to pay for it.

2026 Regular Session HB4079 (Health and Human Resources)

Comment by: Brian Powell on January 19, 2026 20:20

I oppose this pointless legislation. The bill contradicts itself, claiming to prohibit the use of "sexist language" and then going on to mandate a series of sex-specific terms.

2026 Regular Session HB4073 (Health and Human Resources)

Comment by: Brian Powell on January 19, 2026 20:17

I oppose this bill. It undermines public health and one of the few areas where West Virginia has good health outcomes. There are already other alternatives available for those who profess vaccination is against their religious belief.

2026 Regular Session HB4052 (Judiciary)

Comment by: Brian Powell on January 19, 2026 20:15

I oppose this bill's language on "harassment" as being subjective and an infringement on the constitutional right of free speech.

2026 Regular Session HB4034 (Education)

Comment by: Brian Powell on January 19, 2026 20:11

I oppose this bill. West Virginians are of many faiths, with some having no religious background at all. It is inappropriate for the state to hold up any one religious doctrine above others as would be done with this bill. Also, considering the legislative majority's supposed focus on jobs and the state economy this session, I question why we are again seeing socially divisive bills like this being introduced by its members.

2026 Regular Session HB4015 (Government Organization)

Comment by: Brian Powell on January 19, 2026 20:06

I oppose this bill. There is no reason why state taxpayers should be subsidizing the construction of private hotels.

2026 Regular Session HB4017 (Health and Human Resources)

Comment by: Brian Powell on January 19, 2026 20:01

I oppose this bill. While faith-based providers are important service providers for many social services, if they wish to receive public money, they should be held to the same standards as any other provider and deliver the services in a secular, non-discriminatory manner.

2026 Regular Session HB4433 (Judiciary)

Comment by: Ibtesam Sue Barazi on January 19, 2026 20:00

Please DO NOT PASS THIS BILL PLEASE FOCUS ON ECNOMIC VISBLITY AND BILLS THAT MATTERTO WV

2026 Regular Session HB4449 (Public Education)

Comment by: Jess Stan on January 19, 2026 19:57

I don’t believe this bill should be passed yet the way it’s written, the kids need More protection then this!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2026 Regular Session HB4021 (Health and Human Resources)

Comment by: Brian Powell on January 19, 2026 19:55

While I support the intent of expanding services available in-state for children, particularly those in the state's custody, it is unclear to me why there needs to be a special revenue fund for this purpose. This strikes me as an attempt to look like something is being done without actually doing anything, by pointing to a fund that does not have sufficient money to actually address the issue. For this reason, I suggest striking 49-13-102 and removing references to the fund in 49-13-103 and allowing use of general revenue appropriations instead.

2026 Regular Session HB4025 (Government Organization)

Comment by: Brian Powell on January 19, 2026 19:48

I strongly oppose this bill, which attempts to remove civil service protections from a large swath of West Virginia's public employees.

2026 Regular Session HB4033 (Local Governments)

Comment by: Brian Powell on January 19, 2026 19:44

I oppose this bill as written. The term "community" is undefined and vague. It is unclear if this is intended to represent municipalities, county, Census-designated place, or something else.

2026 Regular Session HB4500 (Finance)

Comment by: Erica F on January 19, 2026 19:31

I strongly oppose the proposed new sports complex being built on the 256 acres of farmland at Tabler Station Rd.. South Berkeley county WV has already been overdeveloped along I-81 and this would make it MUCH worse. Also, this land backs up to many neighborhoods; there are others places in Berkeley county where this complex could be built that wouldn’t affect any neighborhoods. I am not opposed to a sports complex being built, just not on this proposed location.

2026 Regular Session HB4034 (Education)

Comment by: Eric Riggleman on January 19, 2026 19:26

I do not agree with this bill. Separation of church and state. Not all students are Christians so this seems like it is forcing one religion upon ALL students.

2026 Regular Session HB4500 (Finance)

Comment by: Erin Robinson on January 19, 2026 19:11

Hello, As a lifelong resident of Berkeley county, I am honestly disappointed. The residents of South Berkeley, mostly Tabler Estates, where this new sports plex is being planned is not supported. The 256 acres currently house wildlife, cows and other native species. This area backs up to multiple subdivisions and will infringe our mountain views and values. Many people move here for the quiet neighborhood which would change the entire dynamic. We also have the MRB, this can cause increased traffic/distraction for airplanes with the light or pollution. there are lots of other sport plex locations within 30-45 minutes from Martinsburg/south Berkeley. thank you for taking the time to listen to my concerns, Erin Robinson

2026 Regular Session HB4433 (Judiciary)

Comment by: Susan Klingensmith on January 19, 2026 19:04

I OPPPOSE HB 4433. The amount of misogyny and xenophobia in this bill is staggering. Women and children are overwhelmingly the victims of human trafficking. Whether or not a victim of this crime is an undocumented immigrant or not should not matter. This legislature should be focusing on the issue of ending human trafficking instead of criminalizing asking for help.

2026 Regular Session HB4122 (Public Education)

Comment by: Devin Spinks on January 19, 2026 18:57

How is this being funded? Schools are already fighting for resources and cameras are expensive.

2026 Regular Session HB4070 (Health and Human Resources)

Comment by: Amanda B on January 19, 2026 18:56

I oppose this bill.

2026 Regular Session HB4034 (Education)

Comment by: Amanda Berg on January 19, 2026 18:46

I oppose this bill. Putting up a poster doesn’t change the culture of a school. Showing the kids and staff they are supported, fed, and important to our state.

2026 Regular Session HB4433 (Judiciary)

Comment by: Lisa Swanson on January 19, 2026 18:35

Do I understand correctly that you think that there should be no protections from sex trafficking? Are you kidding?

2026 Regular Session HB4017 (Health and Human Resources)

Comment by: Sara M on January 19, 2026 18:33

Faith based child welfare services put more children at risk to be abused and sexually assaulted. Many religions focus on corporal physical punishment for children, instead of teaching them proper behavior. These organizations also focus on prospective adoptive parents, rather than reunification.

2026 Regular Session HB4069 (Finance)

Comment by: Jedediah F. Smith on January 19, 2026 18:23

I strongly oppose House Bill 4069, which would remove the current requirement that motorcycle riders and passengers wear helmets and shatter-resistant eye protection.Motorcycle helmets and eye protection aren’t optional accessories — they are proven lifesaving equipment. Decades of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and other traffic safety organizations show that helmets reduce the risk of death in a crash by about 37% and significantly reduce the severity of head injuries. Eye protection prevents debris from blinding riders, which is critical given the high speeds and unpredictable road conditions motorcycles face every day.Removing these basic safety requirements shifts risk from individual riders to all of us. When riders are injured or killed, the consequences are felt widely: • Increased medical costs — Traumatic brain injuries require long-term care, rehabilitation, and in many cases lifelong support. These costs often fall on families, private insurers, and state Medicaid programs.• Higher insurance premiums — More severe injuries mean more expensive claims. That cost is passed on to all drivers through higher auto and health insurance rates.• Strain on emergency responders and hospitals — Severe motorcycle crashes require significant emergency resources, which can divert capacity from other critical needs.The argument that helmet laws infringe on personal freedom ignores the external costs when preventable injuries affect families, employers, emergency services, and taxpayers. Freedom is real only when personal choices do not impose undue harm on others — and the data clearly show that helmet laws protect the public as well as the rider.Furthermore, eye protection isn’t a minor detail. Without it, riders risk impaired vision from wind, dust, insects, and flying gravel — hazards that can easily cause a crash even without significant traffic involvement.West Virginia already struggles with high rates of traffic fatalities. Repealing a law that demonstrably saves lives would be a step in the wrong direction. Instead of rolling back safety standards, we should be investing in education, rider training, and community programs that reduce injuries and deaths on our roads.For the health of our citizens, the sustainability of our health care system, and the safety of our communities, I urge you to vote against House Bill 4069.Respectfully, Jedediah Smith Crawley, West Virginia

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