Public Comments

Please consider passing this law.

Questions: As a mother of a special education student (autism and learning disability in reading), I am wondering if students with IEPs are still required to pass this test, and if so, what accommodations are allowed? As a taxpayer, is this only for public education students, or those in private schools and homeschooling as well?  If only public education, why are these the only students who need to have a knowledge on our constitution?  If ALL students (including private and homeschool) are tested, how will this be monitored outside of the public school setting?   Comments: As a public educator, I am against this bill. If we are simply giving the test (possibly multiple times) just so they have an “acute knowledge” of the constitution, why not just make a lesson plan or video to be taught/shown to all students. If a student fails this test multiple times and has to retake it, think of the education they are missing out on by being tested again and again, instead of being in the classroom where instruction is being delivered.  

I support stronger penalties

The current punishment for DUI causing death is far too minimum. DUI causing death should be considered a very serious charge, considering many people in the state of West Virginia, specifically southern West Virginia, have lost their lives due to people driving impaired. Isaiah Brown and Baylea Bower are examples of two very young people that had their entire lives to live, but were cut short because of two people’s bad decisions to drive impaired. Increasing the fines and jail time, could possibly help prevent people from driving impaired.

Pass the law !!!

I feel strongly about this!

Hello! I am asking for stronger laws and harsher penalties against drunk driving in honor of a beautiful young girl whose life was taken far too soon, Baylea. Baylea had dreams, plans, and a whole future ahead of her. She was loved deeply, and her presence brought light to those around her. In a single, preventable moment, her life was stolen by someone who chose to drive under the influence. That decision forever changed countless lives. Drunk driving is 100% preventable, yet it continues to take innocent lives every single day. Current laws are clearly not strong enough to stop these tragedies from happening again and again. We urge lawmakers to strengthen DUI laws by: Increasing penalties for impaired driving Enforcing stricter sentencing for repeat offenders Expanding education and prevention programs Implementing tougher license suspensions and monitoring No family should ever have to bury a spouse, a child, sibling, or any loved one period because of someone else’s reckless choice. Let her story be the reason meaningful change happens. Let her life matter. Let her legacy save others. We are begging…

JUSTICE FOR BAYLEA!

When someone decides to get behind the wheel while intoxicated they are not only putting their life in dangers but others as well.

I totally think this bill needs to be passed, one person getting killed by a drunk driver is too many! If people that drink and drive know what the consequences will be for their actions, then hopefully it will save lives. But if they still choose to drink and drive then l feel no sympathy for the consequences they should have to face. Because there will be a lost love one family that will have to live with that pain for the rest of their lives. So l have no sympathy for those who choose to make a bad decision, so yes I want this bill to pass.

I am friends with this family. The heartache and horror her death has brought our community is unreal. The girl who killed her is selfless. She has posted vedic and pictures since age 16 bragging about drinking and driving. Please pass this for justice for her family and friends.

I would like to see this law put into legislation! No one should have to endure the Pain  and Heartache this family has endured! So I would ask the elected officials hear the voice of the community!

A beautiful young lady with a whole life ahead of her and a selfish girl took her life , it’s a shame Baylea is gone, I miss her so much

Please take this opportunity to make a difference, Pass this law and hold folks accountable.

The fact that someone can be under the influence and MURDER someone and only get 3-15 years is UNACCEPTABLE! VEHICULAR HOMICIDE!  Why does WV not carry this charge?!?!?! West Virginia needs to step up for Baylea and make sure she gets her justice!  Don’t let her life be worth only 3 years in jail.  3 YEARS!  🤬🤬🤬 This just makes me sick!  West Virginia is famous for allowing MURDER to be overlooked.  To the point that the murderer MOVES to another state and kills her NEXT husband.   I just don’t get it. This 18 year old human KNEW she was going to get drunk.   She KNEW she was going to take drugs.   INTENT!!!  PREMEDITATED!!! Do better WV!   Do better.

Please pass this bill. If a life is taken by DUI it should have a much stronger punishment.

I believe this law should be passed to preserve the future of WV citizens. This law should have been in place years ago. Please consider how this will help our state and the safety of its people.

I believe this law should be passed because of the overseen DUI crashes that have happened in the past. Bailey didn’t get what she deserved and neither did those in the past.

Please pass this law to help stop people from drinking and driving and hopefully stopping innocent life’s from being taken away  thank you

Drunk driving must stop.

There’s no reason to not put this bill in motion. That’s all I am going to say.

I absolutely support the bill.

This law should be passed no questions asked!! Driving under the influence is never acceptable.

I agree with this law. Baylea and her family deserve this. ( I hope I spelled her name right.) I didn’t know her personally, but myself, my heart has reached out to her family. Her husband, who was only married a short time. I believe justice should be served. I have also put blue flowers for her. I can’t imagine what they all are going through. It is murder, manslaughter. Whatever you want to call it. It is grief, it is not understanding, she deserves justice, no matter what.

I support this law in being passed.

I support Baylee’s law because It is absolutely inexcusable to get behind the wheel of a car while under the influence. In today’s world there are so many alternatives. People who are reckless with their own life think it’s ok to risk the life of another human being when they make this selfish decision. Call a friend, sleep It off, or better yet stop drinking poison. Find the lord Jesus Christ. He will change your life before It’s too late.

I think dui causing death is the same as murder and should be giving the maximum penalty

This law needs to be passed.

It only takes a phone call to have a designated driver.  Every person that is capable of going out and drinking is capable of making  that call.  And if you don’t know anyone that’s willing to be a DD, call any mother u know or an uber driver will have to do.  20 seconds to make the call or a 20 second decision to change someone’s life forever!  Living without your child is not living at all!  Don’t be responsible for taking someone else existence or purpose away from them!  The mother of the child you could kill by drinking and driving is giving that mother a life long sentences awaiting on death row!  Why should she be the only one on death row!  She didn’t take anyone life away!  She gave life.  And that life gave her purpose!

Please pass this law for Baylea’s family and other families.

I can’t believe this is even up for discussion. It should be a no-brainer. if you get behind a vehicle and take away someone’s life three years is just not enough punishment. this isn’t an accident. This was a choice you chose to drink so much it compromise your ability to make decisions and compromised your ability to drive. as a mother with children, who are getting ready to start driving, please pass this bill. Help keep my kids safe

Please pass this bill! Innocent lives are taken daily and people need to learn consequences!

Justice for Baylea

This bill absolutely needs passed. Truthfully the sentence really just needs to be 30 years & be done with it. Someone making the reckless decision to drink & drive that takes a life should be locked up for the rest of theirs. Or at least a big enough portion of it they don’t get to enjoy a bit of it.

Justice for baylea

This new law should make people reconsider before driving drunk

If someone chooses to drink and drive and it results in another person’s death, 30 years in prison is absolutely deserved. That choice is reckless, irresponsible, and completely avoidable. When you put other people’s lives at risk and take a life because of foolishness, you should pay the price. Accountability matters.

It is terrible when you lose a child because of a drunk driver.

Please pass this!

Any form of taxation is theft. Especially having to pay a fee, that you’re trying to double, to use a vehicle that one has already paid taxes on and already have to play taxes on every single year. I have no clue how a true fiscal conservative would pass this bill. It’s an atrocious breach of individual liberty.

This legislation is long overdue!

An increase in the sentence should deter anyone even considering driving under the influence .

Driving under the influence is a choice made of breaking the law followed by death and should be treated as murder. 5-15 years is nothing compared to the lifetime a family has to face of losing a loved one, especially a child that has a whole life taken away.

I would like for Bayleas law to be passed.

As a child who lost a stepfather, who was like a biological father to me, in 1995, we require stricter punishments for those who CHOOSE to engage in this behavior. My dad's murderer received 3 months, then killed somekne else a year later where he received 4 months.

My uncle was killed because of a Drunk driver

Drinking while under the influence is risking the lives of others as well as themselves. There are enough ways for people to get designated drivers when impaired. The impact of losing a loved one because someone made a poor decision is not something anyone should ever have to go through. A life taken by someone who is breaking the law should be held as murder in my eyes and not given a chance to live a normal life and possibly doing the same crime because the punishment is not enough.

Justice for Baylea

Please pass this bill, it will make people think twice about driving under the influence.

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Public funds should support public education. The federal government should be supporting and strenghening our public schools and not moving public monies to the private sector, which in many erodes public schools. I am totally in favor of high-quality education. But West Virginia cannot support two parallel school systems. Please invest in the school system that serves everyone, and not just the wealthy.

I am thankful my state is considering passing this.  Maybe this will decrease the percentage of people who risk their lives and risk others lives by driving illegally under the influence.  I hope this passes.

Drink driving is common things here, so common that people will post about it almost bragging, showing off the things they do and don’t get caught doing, Destiny lester did just that, in my cases, not just alcohol but other substances. She is 19 years old, not even close to age for drinking, I’m saying this from the prospective of someone who is also 19. I refuse to drink, I refuse to be the one at hand for such a tragedy, drunk driving is a choice, one in which a person decides taking someone’s life is a risk worth taking, we need to change the way we prosecute people when they make that choice, because deciding that someone else’s life doesn’t matter is the same has choosing to end their life. Baylea deserved to live her life, and at this point, destiny deserves to face the consequences of taking that from her, and her family.

There is no excuse for driving impaired.

This bill should be passed to make impaired individuals think twice before drinking and driving or driving impaired period.

Baylea was a young girl who had her whole life ahead of her. She was brutally killed by a drunk driver. Anyone who drives under the influence puts themselves and everyone else in harms way and Baylea’s story is a prime example of this. Doubling the sentences can help people realizes the consequences of driving under the influence and how impactful it can be on their own lives and on the lives of others.

Getting behind the wheel drunk is shameful as is. Taking an innocent life knowing you knew drinking and driving is dangerous and illegal is gut wrenching. That sweet girl probably had plans for Easter but she didn’t make it to those plans because of someone so selfish and careless. Causing death when you could have prevented it needs to be handled the right way and that person needs to pay for their actions. May Baylea rest in peace knowing she has an army behind her to make sure this doesn’t get pushed to the side.

The penalty should be a little steeper because when you think about it when a loved ones killed, they’re gone forever! A longer sentence may discourage somebody from driving drugged or intoxicated.

I am in full support of Baylea’s Law to prevent more DUI related deaths in our community. This is a true tragedy and I hope justice is served.

The punishment for taking a life while drunk driving or driving under the influence is not harsh enough, hence why nobody takes it seriously. If we increase the minimum sentence, then people would take these things more seriously. Too many innocent lives get taken due to people’s stupidity.

Punishment needs to be enforced

Impaired driving is done without considering the lives of those who choose not to drink alcohol, smoke weed or use legal medicines improperly or any of the other mind, mood and or  physically altering drug concoctions that are available to anyone.  The people who drive impaired do it willingly, not caring what happens just so they get home to sleep it off.   Stiffen the penalty.  Make it so tough that they might even think twice before drinking and snorting!

I agree with this bill!

Justice for Baylea!

I strongly agree with the proposed bill. Incredibly careless actions that claim someone’s life should have considerably higher consequence’s!

Baylea’s Law should be passed! There are too many drunk drivers taking the lives of young people and get off free!!

Life is about choices! A person who gets behind a wheel while intoxicated or under the influence of a substance makes a choice to drive. Consequences for such actions must be changed. I support Baylea’s law to be established! Families of those whose life is changed because of a DUI driver are forever changed. It’s past time to prevent other families from losing loved ones because of DUI’S!! This law must be changed to prevent unnecessary deaths!

justice for baylea 🫂💗 I think bayleas law should be a new law , she lost her life due to a drunk driver , she deserves justice and he family does too this may never bring her back but her family deserves closure

I believe that this bill should be passed for the sake of those families that have suffered from someone under the influence driving.

McKenzie O’Brien agrees to sign this

This should be a law already.

!!!!

I support HB 5146 because it recognizes the real-world impacts that outdated drug scheduling has on people with disabilities, workers, and the broader West Virginia economy. Many West Virginians live with disabilities, chronic conditions, neurological differences, or trauma-related disorders that affect how they function in daily life and in the workforce. Substances such as cannabis- and psilocybin-based compounds are increasingly studied nationwide for their potential to support symptom management, harm reduction, and quality of life when used responsibly and with appropriate education. Removing these substances from Schedule I helps reduce unnecessary criminalization that disproportionately affects people with disabilities and creates barriers to employment, housing, and stability. HB 5146 also supports workforce participation. When individuals are not automatically excluded from jobs due to outdated classifications or stigma, more people are able to work, maintain consistent employment, and contribute to the state’s tax base. This is especially important in West Virginia, where labor force participation rates remain a challenge and many residents are already managing health-related limitations. Education is another major benefit of this bill. Schedule I status discourages research, professional training, and public education. By removing these substances from the most restrictive category, West Virginia creates space for evidence-based education, public health guidance, and informed decision-making rather than fear-driven enforcement. Education reduces misuse, improves safety, and allows healthcare providers, employers, and individuals to make better-informed choices. Finally, HB 5146 has broader statewide benefits. Reducing unnecessary criminal penalties can lower enforcement and incarceration costs, ease strain on the court system, and redirect resources toward public health, treatment, and economic development. Aligning state policy with evolving research and national trends also helps West Virginia remain competitive, attract talent, and retain residents who might otherwise leave for states with more modern policies. HB 5146 is not about promoting misuse—it is about removing barriers, expanding education, supporting people with disabilities, and adopting a more practical, humane, and economically sound approach that benefits West Virginia as a whole. I urge lawmakers to support this bill.

I absolutely approve.

Punishment alone is not enough, but accountability must come first. Families who have lost loved ones to impaired drivers live with that pain forever. The person responsible should carry consequences that reflect that reality. I urge you to pass legislation that strengthens penalties for impaired driving resulting in death and prioritizes public safety across our beautiful state.

In my years of advocating for the Cannabis Industry, I have been disheartened by the over regulation and the lack of political will to improve the quality of working relationships between our industry and State Laws and Rules. I would like to think that my efforts helped lead to the investment of millions of dollars into WV's Agricultural and business sector. I'm in a unique position to bring in even more investments. Through our efforts, I've helped tens of thousands of our fellow citizens feel better and the cash taxes that have been paid were supposed to go to specific programs that would be of great help. Other States have figured out how to integrate their Cannabis Tax Cash revenues but WV has yet to figure out how to follow their own designated plan. In the meantime, I'd say we've been wasting money for custodial fees for holding this 34+ million dollars in cash. This is embarrassing and outrageous. The rule of law for me but not for thee? Therefore, with all due respect, I demand passage of this Bill. Utilize these funds.

I am submitting this comment based on my personal experience working in West Virginia after relocating here from out of state. I worked for a franchised Arby’s location in West Virginia for approximately two years. During that time, I obtained a nationally recognized food protection and management certification that qualifies me to serve in management roles in all 50 states. I was offered advancement and was on track to become an assistant manager. Despite my qualifications and performance, I was later denied advancement and ultimately pushed out after my employer learned that I hold a valid West Virginia medical cannabis card and that I wear a religious head covering. I was told directly that “at the end of the day, it’s up to us who we hire.” After this, my working conditions became more difficult, and advancement opportunities were withdrawn. This felt retaliatory. I attempted to pursue the matter through existing channels, but my complaint was dropped after the employer retained private legal counsel. I was left with no meaningful remedy. This experience made it clear to me how difficult it is for workers—especially those who are new to Appalachia, who pay taxes, and who are trying to establish stable footing—to challenge discrimination when enforcement depends on narrow definitions of “employee,” short filing windows, or employer size exemptions. HB 5140 would help address these gaps by:

• Expanding coverage to smaller employers,
• Clarifying protections for workers who are often excluded or misclassified,
• And providing a realistic time frame for individuals to bring forward claims after retaliation or legal intimidation occurs.

This bill would not remove an employer’s ability to hire qualified staff. It would simply ensure that hiring and promotion decisions are not used to discriminate against workers based on lawful medical treatment or religious expression, and that individuals are not effectively silenced by procedural barriers. As someone who lives and works in West Virginia, pays taxes, and sought to contribute long-term to this state’s workforce, I believe HB 5140 would provide fairer access to accountability and help ensure that civil rights protections are meaningful in practice—not just on paper. Thank you for considering my comment.

This law needs passed because the punishment for reckless behavior causing the death of other innocent drivers is too lax. Not only are the people who end up killed by impaired drivers victimized, but friends and family of the deceased are negatively affected for life.

you should not be allowed to kill someone and do less time then a pedo.

I respectfully ask you to put every effort into bringing forth for hearings HB 4460 and making every effort into the passage of this bill. This would correct a terrible situation that has been perpetrated against our citizens for many years by some of our current state laws. For decades, our citizens have been burdened by state code (namely 8-1-22 & 16-13A-9) that are unfair, probably illegal and possibly unconstitutional. These laws force WV citizens to both pay for a service (public sewage) that they may not need, want or use. There is no service or product that I can think of, either private or public that the government dictates that a citizen must use. This would be the same as a store dropping an appliance off at your house and forcing you to now use and pay for it whether you want, need or will use it.  This would not only be unfair but illegal, yet that is exactly what is happening in our state. Another part of the current laws that are completely unfair to the affected citizens is that they must discontinue using and render inoperable their present sewage system. This is regardless that they have paid for the system nor whether it is operating properly or not. And they are not being reimbursed for the destruction of this private property they have paid for with their hard earned dollars. In my opinion this may also be in violation of our rights under the 5^th Amendment of our Constitution which, in part, states “Nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.” Home owners pay thousands of dollars for a septic system, many may still be paying on the cost thru their home mortgage. And now the government comes in and dictates that you must now pay thousands more for a service (plus pay a monthly fee) whether you want, need or will use the service? Please stop this grave injustice. Thank you for your attention and efforts into this matter. Norman Launi Sr.   Keyser, WV

I oppose HB 5123 in its current form because, while it is presented as a consumer data privacy bill, it falls materially short of established data-protection standards already in effect in other states, particularly California. California’s privacy framework under the California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA) provides stronger, clearer, and more enforceable protections for consumers than HB 5123. California law recognizes “sensitive personal information” as a distinct category and grants consumers the right to limit its use and disclosure, including precise geolocation, health data, biometric identifiers, and personal communications. HB 5123 does not establish comparable, heightened protections for sensitive data, leaving consumers exposed to expanded data collection and secondary use without meaningful limits. HB 5123 also lacks several core safeguards that are standard in California, including:

• Clear limits on how sensitive personal data may be used beyond opt-out mechanisms
• Mandatory risk or impact assessments for high-risk data processing
• A dedicated, independent privacy enforcement agency with rulemaking authority

While HB 5123 provides basic rights such as access, deletion, correction, and opt-out of sale or sharing, these rights are weaker in scope and enforcement than those guaranteed under California law. California additionally provides data portability rights and clearer disclosure obligations that ensure consumers can meaningfully understand and control how their information is used. West Virginia residents deserve data protections that are at least equal to those already recognized as necessary in other states, not a diluted framework that lags behind national privacy standards. In a time when personal data is routinely monetized, shared, and weaponized, partial protections are not sufficient. For these reasons, I oppose HB 5123 unless it is substantially amended to:

• Create enforceable limits on the use of sensitive personal information
• Require risk assessments for high-risk data practices
• Strengthen transparency, portability, and enforcement mechanisms
• Bring West Virginia’s consumer privacy protections in line with leading state standards such as California’s

Without these changes, HB 5123 risks creating the appearance of privacy protection while failing to deliver meaningful consumer control or accountability.

The woman, who was drunk and caused an auto accident, resulting in the death of Bailey, should be charged  and have to be imprisoned double the current prison time. She caused the loss of a precious young life.

no comment.

Please do the right thing, this family deserves closure and dui laws in West Virginia have been far  to lenient for to long it’s time for action and it’s time for justice.

This bill should be passed

I support this bill!!

First off, there is absolutely NO excuse whatsoever for driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs! There are taxis, Ubers, friends, family members or even strangers that can help avoid it! Along with, just simply stay put!! Too many innocent lives have been taken due to that ignorant decision! The innocent victims lives comes to an end, while leaving their families to suffer a lifetime sentence from the outcome of the terrible tragedy! Second… I’ve seen so many get away with drinking and driving resulting in death…including both of my brothers deaths, because the present laws on this matter are absolutely ridiculous! It’s never going to end, simply because there is little to absolutely no punishment! No consequences to pay! They get by with it! Plain and simple! Why?!?! Their ONE selfish choice made a never ending number of horrific life changes for parents, grandparents, children, spouses, siblings and so many more! Granted, they will more than likely do it again, and others will definitely do it, because the laws on it are embarrassingly pathetic! I pray that Baylea’s Law passes! Something has to be done! It’s not fair that Baylea’s life was brought to a tragic end, while the one that caused it walks free!

In memory of Baylea Craig Bowers

This should have been done years ago

Justice for Baylea  

I  lost my best friend of 20 years, she was a daughter, sister, aunt, fur mom, a business owner and one of the most kind hearted person I had ever met. There will never be enough time to serve for the miserable life sentence Bayleas family and friends have to serve forever missing her. Please take this law into consideration. Too many people are dying and young people do not take drinking and driving seriously.

I agree wholeheartedly with this bill passing.