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87th Legislature

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Member Press Release

This Week in the House of Delegates

For the week ending Jan. 30, 2026

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Several bills passed the full House of Delegates this week by unanimous votes for a total of 24 House bills sent to the West Virginia Senate for its consideration.

House Bill 4028, which would exempt building materials and construction work from state or municipal sales and use tax used for the construction, repair or maintenance of a public school facility, passed the full House unanimously Jan. 28, and has the potential to allow as much as 15% more spending on public education facilities.

School Building Authority Executive Director Andy Neptune addressed the House Finance Committee last week when this bill was in the hearing stage and described it as a win for his agency, for contractors and for counties.

“We believe this is going to increase the purchasing power,” he said, noting the 6% sales tax plus 1% in supplies savings would give the SBA “more bang for our buck” and helps counties stretch their bond dollars for projects as well.

“We can redirect the millions we would be saving off of that back to us to be able to go with other projects,” Neptune said. “For example, so many times counties will come to us for roofing projects that also involve HVAC projects, and the cost is just too much to be able to help with as much need as we have across the state; this would allow us to be able to look further into those counties and be able to say, ‘well, we’ll tie together HVAC projects with the roof,’ which realistically should be done when you think about this … .”

The Skills to Work Act, House Bill 4005, passed the full House Jan. 27. It would align work requirements to U.S. Labor standards, which expands apprenticeship opportunities for 16- to 18-year-olds, allowing them safe, supervised, hands-on training for an in-demand economic environment.

“This is about being able to bridge a gap,” said Delegate Ryan Browning, R-Wayne, the lead sponsor of the bill. “Too many of our high school seniors graduate and feel like they have to leave the state to find a good job, but this bill establishes a direct connection between education and employment by creating structured, supervised apprenticeship programs that lead directly to job opportunities.

“Students gain hands-on experience while employers continue refilling our local talent pipeline.”

House Bill 4002, which would establish the West Virginia Collaboratory, also passed the House Jan. 27. The initiative would facilitate public policy research projects through the state’s research institutions of higher learning and distribute the expertise to be utilized by state and local governments in their work.

Two more measures that passed unanimously Jan. 29 were House Bill 4626, which would form a grant program to allow U.S. Food and Drug Administration trials with the controlled substance ibogaine for the treatment of opioid use disorder, substance use disorder and any other neurological or mental health conditions, and House Bill 4610, which would ensure the state’s current law to allow “right-to-try” cutting age medicine for terminally ill patients would extend to patients with life-threatening or severely debilitating illnesses as well.

House Bill 4437 also passed unanimously Jan. 29, and it would allow Gold Star parents to receive one vehicle registration free of cost.

“Gold Star parents have lost a son or daughter in service to the nation, serving to protect and defend your freedom and safety at home and abroad,” said Delegate Charles Sheedy, R-Marshall. “The ability to display a Gold Star license plate on their vehicle denotes them having lost a son or daughter and should call up our respect to recognize their sacrifice. To receive a free plate shows that the people of West Virginia are grateful for their sacrifice.”

The last day to introduce bills is Feb. 17, and 1,012 bills have been introduced in the House. The 60-day, regular legislative session ends at midnight March 14.

Contact: Ann Ali at (304) 340-3323

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Member Press Release

Toney to Serve as Education Vice Chairman

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Delegate Christopher Toney, R-Raleigh, recently was appointed Vice Chairman of the West Virginia House of Delegates Standing Committee on Education, a leadership role of significant consequence.

“Education serves as the true foundation of our workforce readiness, and I see the challenges our rural districts face as someone who has worked in our schools,” Toney said. “Our goal must be to ensure students graduate with the skills they need to succeed, whether that means entering the workforce, pursuing technical training or continuing their education.”

Before serving in the House of Delegates, Toney built his career in education from the ground up. He began as a school custodian, later serving as a paraprofessional aide and a bus operator, and ultimately advancing to Director. This unique background gives him a practical understanding of the daily realities facing students, educators and school service personnel — particularly in rural communities.

As Vice Chairman, Toney will prioritize policies that strengthen workforce readiness, expand career and technical education opportunities and address the unique needs of rural schools throughout West Virginia. He also will play a key role in ongoing discussions surrounding improvements to the state’s school aid funding formula, with a focus on fairness, transparency and ensuring resources reach the students and communities that need them most.

“If we want West Virginia to grow, we must invest wisely in our students and our schools, especially in rural areas that are the backbone of our state,” Toney said. “Our students, their families and our employees deserve to see those resources in the classroom, and our taxpayers deserve to see those resources back home.”

Toney first was elected in 2018. He and his wife Molly live in Beckley.

Contact: Vice Chairman Christopher Toney, R-Raleigh 304-340-3265

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Member Press Release

Speaker Hanshaw Adds Ellington to Senior Leadership

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Long-time West Virginia House of Delegates leader Joe Ellington, R-Mercer, was elevated this week to the position of Deputy Speaker, a post shared by House Speaker Pro Tempore Matthew Rohrbach, R-Cabell.

“Our education team didn’t use the previous session adjournment as a reason to stop working on solutions to the major issues we know our communities across the state are facing, so we didn’t want to disrupt that work going into this session, but it became clear right away that our Committee will keep working hard on their efforts to improve education,” Ellington said. “Speaker Hanshaw had been looking for someone to put in the second Deputy Speaker position after the resignation of now-Secretary Kelly, and I’m honored to serve in that lineup.”

Ellington, first elected to the House in 2010, served as the Health and Human Resources Committee Chairman for the 82nd, 83rd and 84th Legislatures. He has been Chairman of the Education Committee since the 84th Legislature.

“Dr. Ellington is a long-respected member of this body, and his dedication to bettering the education West Virginia children receive is to be commended,” said House Speaker Roger Hanshaw, R-Clay. “Many of us have leaned on him for his counsel, but now in this new role we will be relying on him for even more input and counsel in a wider area of policy.”

Delegate Joe Statler, R-Monongalia, who previously served as Education Committee Vice Chairman will serve as Committee Chairman going forward. Delegate Chris Toney, R-Raleigh, will serve as Education Committee Vice Chairman.

Contact: Ann Ali at (304) 340-3323

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Member Press Release

This Week in the House of Delegates

For the week ending Jan. 23, 2026

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia House of Delegates finished its first full week of the 60-day regular legislative session with seven House Bills having passed the full Chamber and been sent to the West Virginia Senate for deliberation.

“Nearly all our Delegates told us they wanted to double down on putting West Virginians to work because the best way we can fix so many other problems in our state is to help put as many West Virginians as possible to work in good-paying jobs,” said House Speaker Roger Hanshaw, R-Clay. “These legislators have been consistent, focused and they have been hard at work having the necessary conversations to move these bills forward.”

Many members of the House took time Wednesday during Trades Day at the Legislature to celebrate the success of the Skilled Trades Apprenticeship Nontraditional Degree (STAND) Program. The program allows those who complete their apprenticeships to apply their on-the-job and classroom training toward college credit. It was created during the 2024 legislative session and funded during the 2025 session. The West Virginia Building and Construction Trades received the national Construction User’s Roundtable Workforce Development Award for the program back in November and shared it with the House of Delegates this week.

“What we’re seeing right now is a lot of young people are going straight into college,” said Delegate Evan Worrell, R-Cabell, a sponsor of the STAND Program. “They’re amassing a large amount of debt and then coming out still trying to find a job with whatever their degree program is.

“We have a slate of bills this year that sends a clear message of what we’re here for, and that’s to support workers, support fair competition, support local jobs and also making sure that we ensure accountability when taxpayer dollars are on the line.”

The full house passed House Bill 4007, related to industrial access roads, Jan. 23, with only a few dissenting votes. The bill would update the 25-year-old program to account for inflation, doubling the amount of money a county or municipality could request within one year for industrial access road construction to help projects get completed faster.

House Bill 4008 also passed the full House Jan. 23. It is another measure aimed at flexibility for communities to cultivate right-sized and responsible economic growth in every corner of the state. The measure would expand the current grants to include 5-acres sites for grants of as much as $75,000 in assistance, 20-acre sites for as much as $100,000 and sites of more than 20 acres may be eligible for as much as $250,000.

The last day to introduce bills is Feb. 17, and 798 bills have been introduced in the House. The 60-day, regular legislative session ends at midnight March 14.

Contact: Ann Ali at (304) 340-3323

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Member Press Release

This Week in the House of Delegates

For the week ending Jan. 16, 2026

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Members of the West Virginia House of Delegates gaveled in for the second regular session of the 87th Legislature Wednesday, Jan. 14, eager to put in motion many of their proposals constructed in the months since the first regular session adjourned. For one committee, there was no time to waste.

“Mister Speaker, your Committee on Education is ready to go to work,” said Committee Vice Chairman Delegate Joe Statler, R-Monongalia, during Wednesday announcements. “We will meet today at 2 p.m. in the House Chamber for an analysis of the West Virginia School Aid Formula.”

The House Finance Committee broke from its traditional early session spate of scheduled state agency budget hearings for a hearing on House Bill 4007, Relating to industrial access roads, at 9 a.m. Thursday morning.

“Industrial access roads are important to economic development, period,” said Delegate David McCormick, lead sponsor of HB4007. “This program is part of the West Virginia Business Ready Sites Program initially started in 1999, and a county or municipality could request up to $400,000 for industrial access road construction.

“What this bill does is doubles that to $800,000 to make up for inflation and increased costs since that time, and it can be used just for construction of the road by the Department of Highways who administers this program.”

House Bill 4008, also relating to the Business Ready Sites Program, advanced through the House Energy and Public Works Committee Thursday as well. The measure would expand the current grants to include 5-acres sites for grants of as much as $75,000 in assistance, 20-acre sites for as much as $100,000 and sites of more than 20 acres may be eligible for as much as $250,000.

“I think this is going to give the Division of Economic Development more flexibility and more tools in their chest to get sites ready and foster in more businesses and create more jobs,” said Delegate Jordan Maynor, R-Raleigh, the lead sponsor of the bill.

The newest member of the House, Delegate John Jordan, R-Beckley, took the oath of office Jan. 13 just a few hours after being appointed to fill the unexpired term representing the 42nd District, which is a portion of Raleigh County. Jordan, who serves as Lead Pastor of Calvary Assembly of God, was joined by his wife Stephanie for the swearing-in ceremony as House Clerk Jeff Pack administered the oath.

The last day to introduce bills is Feb. 17, and 483 bills have been introduced in the House. The 60-day, regular legislative session ends at midnight March 14.

Contact: Ann Ali at (304) 340-3323

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Member Press Release

House to Start Session With Focus on Jobs

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — House Speaker Roger Hanshaw, R-Clay, announced several initiatives he expects the West Virginia House of Delegates to consider when second regular session of the 87th Legislature convenes in January.

“West Virginia voters continue to tell us they want us to focus on jobs,” Hanshaw said. “When our leadership team surveyed the 91 Republican Delegates in the 100-member House to prepare for this year, 81 of them responded, and overwhelmingly the focus was clear: economic development and the education that builds it for the state.”

Hanshaw noted that the proposals came from interim committee reports and studies, along with workgroups and conferences to learn from other states since the 2025 regular session had adjourned.

“This is by no means an exhaustive list of everything that will be debated during the session, and we certainly don’t have all the details ironed out on these things yet either,” he said. “We recognize the growing majority party includes many voices and each of our communities has different needs, but every community benefits from good jobs and opportunity.”

Hanshaw spoke about efforts to enhance workforce-ready education programs within the state, starting with a pay raise for teachers and service personnel. Other proposals included the ReCharge West Virginia Act, which would reimburse certain training costs for existing businesses that upskill their workers and boost their wages, as well as two work skills pathway programs: Skills at Work, and Tech Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul for future aviation careers. The West Virginia Collaboratory proposal would connect higher education research with the Legislature to provide data-driven solutions for major challenges.

Several proposals to ensure fair regulations and minimal red tape look to continue shaping the job-creating business climate West Virginia is becoming known for.

“These may not be the most provocative bills, but they are issues our members hear about when they’re at the gas station and the grocery store,” Hanshaw said. “Things like expanding what we define as ‘recovered feedstock’ and ‘solid waste’ would recognize advanced technology for recycling and allow for more manufacturing, and that’s a proposal for more jobs, plain and simple.”

Other business climate proposals included allowing portable benefits for the modern workforce to more flexibly maintain retirement or insurance savings across multiple employers; Mountaineer Flex, a performance-based, flexible tax credit to encourage major investment and job creation without limiting it to a specific industry; a timing proposal for the PSC to allow an Energy Infrastructure Approval fast track for more modern and reliable power which also would create jobs; and TEAM-WV, which would create a competitive, statewide nonprofit to drive a cohesive strategy for site development, partnerships and business growth.

“We always look to serve the long-term interests of the state with real and lasting infrastructure and development, along with the knowledge that different parts of the state have different needs,” Hanshaw said.

Finally, proposals to address responsible economic growth included the Construction Cost Relief Act, which would exempt building construction materials from the state sales tax; the Welcome Home Act, which would help real estate developers by separating their parceled inventory to fairly tax what is developed; the West Virginia First Small Business Growth Act, which would allow capital and financing for job creators already in the state; an update with additional funding to the Industrial Access Roads program for local Economic Development Agencies; and expanding site readiness grants with more funding altogether while including smaller acreage.

“I cannot think of a single societal ill that cannot be improved by a thriving economy,” Hanshaw said. “Ensuring people have opportunities to earn a decent living and make the right decisions for themselves and their families should not be controversial or even political, which is why we will remain focused on the principles that create and maintain a growing and diverse economy.”

Contact: Ann Ali at (304) 340-3323

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Member Press Release

Statement on behalf of House Speaker Roger Hanshaw

West Virginia lost a very special person today, and I lost another wonderful friend. Justice Tim Armstead was the very embodiment of the word gentleman. He was kind, thoughtful, smart, encouraging and deeply committed to his family, his faith and his state. He accomplished more than one lifetime’s worth in his short time here. He was a legislator, Speaker of the House and a Supreme Court Justice, but much more than that, he was a loving husband, father and grandfather. Tim Armstead was my friend, my mentor and a trusted confidant. I will miss him deeply.

Tim was a man of infectious optimism. He saw the good in everything and everybody – good that was too often hard for others, including me, to see. I always admired his near-total ability to forgive and forget, even when others – again, including me – didn’t want him to. Tim Armstead set an example of servant leadership that should inspire not just every public official, but every person.

Tim was a man of deep faith and conviction, not the kind that often appears for political theater, but the kind that shapes the life and true trajectory of honest believers. Over the years I often thought about the words of 1 Thessalonians 5:22, which command us to abstain from the very appearance of evil. In my lifetime I have encountered no person who embodied that virtue more than Tim Armstead. Tim was a man so deeply committed to doing right at all times and in all circumstances that he no doubt disadvantaged himself and his family throughout his career in service of his mission to uphold ethics, integrity and his true belief in what was right.

I will miss Tim Armstead. I will miss the wise counsel he often gave me in times of tough decisions. I will miss the lighthearted jokes he told me when I visited his chambers after a long day on the House floor, and I will miss that no matter whatever else I encountered in my career, I could always take comfort knowing there was a man at the highest levels of service to our society who was guided by nothing more than a sincere desire to do the right thing. Most of all, I will miss my friend. My prayers are with Anna and Tim’s family.

Contact: Ann Ali at (304) 340-3323

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Member Press Release

Bill Bell Takes Oath of Office

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Bill Bell of Wetzel County became the newest member of the West Virginia House of Delegates Monday, July 14.

House Clerk Jeff Pack administered the oath of office as Bell’s bride-to-be, Samantha, held a Bible.

Bell was appointed to represent the 8th Delegate District, which is made up of a portion of Doddridge and Tyler counties as well as part of Wetzel County. He will complete the unexpired term of former Delegate David Kelly, R-Tyler.

Bell is a teacher who said he has made several visits to the House Chamber with his students and is looking forward to sharing his experience as a Delegate with his students as well.

“My students are why I’m here,” Bell said.

His committee assignments and contact information will be listed on the West Virginia Legislature’s website at a later date.

Contact: Ann Ali at (304) 340-3323

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Member Press Release

Statement on behalf of House Democratic Caucus

It is with heavy hearts that we mourn the loss of our former colleague and Leader Doug Skaff, Jr. Doug was committed to West Virginia and the values that make us strong as a state. He was full of life and full of ideas. Doug dreamed big and did not hesitate to pursue those dreams, as implausible as some of those dreams may have seemed. He worked (and even traveled) across party lines to work for the betterment of all West Virginians.

Doug was a proud Mountaineer and a true son of West Virginia. He wore his gold and blue with pride representing our state across the nation. He was a colleague, and he was a friend. He was approachable and hard not to like even if you disagreed with him. Doug was a people person – he knew how to mend fences and build bridges. He was intuitive and kind and funny.

Above all, Doug Skaff was a proud father and husband. We hope that the imprint of his love will stay with his children as they grow older. We send our deepest condolences to his wife, Marisa, their three boys, his parents, the extended Skaff family and all those who knew and loved him.

We share in the grief of his family and so many West Virginians mourning his loss. He will be deeply missed.

Contact: Jennifer McPherson at 304.340.3942

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Member Press Release

Statement on behalf of House Minority Leader Sean Hornbuckle

There aren’t enough words to describe, or a paper long enough, to hold all the flowers that my friend, my guy, or as he would say “my man!” deserves. Most knew him as Doug, lots called him Skaff, but to me he was “Dougie Fresh.” I called him that partly due to 90s and American Pop Culture nostalgia, but more so because he was one of the coolest people I’ve ever known. We’ve known each other for probably twenty years but became family over the past decade. Not only did I lose a friend, but the state of West Virginia lost a dear friend as well.

I’m sad because this tribute is every bit of forty years too early, and something none of us should have to endure. We had very different upbringings but had similar paths upon entering college, and we were on an inevitable collision course to meet in the real world. I became familiar with him from collegiate circles and one of my mentors turned close mutual friends. I’m not sure what it was but he took an interest in my journey of service beyond friendship when the state was quite more homogenous to say the least. This never went unnoticed, and a new relationship was born. We were way more than lawmakers or friends, we became family.

Doug hosted the only two fundraisers that I’ve had in Charleston. He thought it was important to help position people on his team to give back to the state he loved. That’s just who he was, a team guy. It was hard to find him without a smile on his face, or better yet that smirk with some type of grandiose idea of a lifetime behind it. He was a beacon of light and wanted to make sure he could share some of his sunshine with the people that he cared about. There was never a dull moment in his presence as he was continuously plotting the next adventure.

Over the years, I learned a lot from Dougie, and I told him as much. I can honestly say if it weren’t for some of his guidance and opportunities afforded, I wouldn’t be where I’m at today. I am eternally grateful for the time we shared and lessons I learned from him. We traveled the country together looking for opportunities to better West Virginia. We discussed our ideal political landscape, had conversations about life and goals, talked about business ventures and projects and took trips together – but most of all we shared our respective infatuation of our sons being the best Boy Dads around.

While I won’t be able to pick your brain anymore or travel with you for our next adventure – and the mere thought of that makes tears come down my face – I promise I’ll keep your name and your vision for a better West Virginia alive. I promise to help Marisa and your boys with anything they might need. I promise to keep chasing my dreams and do it big like you did it. Our relationship is an example of life goals. Two different worlds, two different paths- brought together by love and a common interest in making the world a better place while having fun doing it. Family man, businessman, leader, entrepreneur, socialite and all the other accolades and titles could never serve you justice. You were simply the best champion!

Peace, love, and prayers for comfort to all the Skaff family and friends. A friend shared this with me this morning, and I want to share it as well: Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” – John 11:23-26

I love you Dougie Fresh, forever and always my man.

Contact: Jennifer McPherson at 304.340.3942

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