Pure Water

SB 25 is legislation to create the West Virginia Coal Marketing Program, a state-level program aimed at protecting and expanding coal markets and coal facilities and addressing economic impacts that communities have experienced or may experience due to changes in the coal industry.

CWV Position: Opposes

Status: Introduced on 1/14/26; referred to Finance Committee on 1/30/26.

SB 222 seeks to update and strengthen regulation of public water systems in the state. Overall, the bill updates water system governance and operations to improve reliability, transparency, and workforce capacity.

CWV Position: Supports

Status: Introduced on 1/14/26; referred to Government Organization Committee on 1/14/26.

SB 266 seeks to amend and reenact § 64-5-1 of the West Virginia Code to authorize the Department of Health to promulgate a legislative rule relating to water well regulations.

Sponsors: Patricia Rucker

Status: Introduced on 1/15/26; referred to Judiciary Committee on 1/15/26.

SB 390 seeks to alter the conditions for how funds from the West Virginia Flood Resiliency Trust Fund are disbursed by modernizing and improving how flood resiliency funding is deployed across West Virginia, including prioritizing vulnerable communities and proactive mitigation actions in response to recent and future flood risks.

Sponsors: Randy Smith

CWV Position: Opposes

Status: Introduced on 1/15/26; referred to House Government Organization Committee 1/30/26.

SB 420's goals are to: 1) Restore electric rate stability by prioritizing in-state coal and natural-gas generation. 2) Preserve employment and investment in West Virginia’s coal and natural-gas industries. 3) Coordinate with the Electric Grid Stabilization and Security Fund to maintain reliable baseload and mid-load generation.

Sponsors: Mike Azinger

CWV Position: Opposes

Status: Introduced on 1/15/26; referred to Energy, Industry, and Mining Committee 1/15/26.

SB 457 is legislation concerning water quality and assistance for residents whose public water supply is deemed unsafe.

CWV Position: Supports

Status: Introduced on 1/16/26; referred to Natural Resources Committee on 1/16/26.

SB 648 proposes a new state law called the Strategic and Critical Resources Act. Its main purpose is to set statewide rules for the extraction and regulation of strategic and critical resources—important minerals and materials related to national security, energy reliability, infrastructure, and economic stability.

Sponsors: Robbie Morris, Ben Queen, Chris Rose, Patricia Rucker, Darren Thorne, Chris Phillips

CWV Position: Opposes

Status: Introduced on 1/28/26; referred to Judiciary Committee on 1/28/26.

SB 641 proposes changes to state law governing aboveground storage tanks (ASTs) and how they are defined and regulated under the West Virginia Code.

Sponsors: Chris Rose, Patricia Rucker

CWV Position: Opposes

Status: Introduced on 1/28/26; referred to Energy, Industry, and Mining Committee 1/28/26.

SB 711 relates to highway drainage and protection of private property from concentrated highway runoff.

Sponsors: Robbie Morris

CWV Position: Supports

Status: Introduced on 2/2/26; referred to Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on 2/2/26.

SB 769 would create a new litter control and cleanup law in West Virginia by adding an article to the state code focused on coordinated statewide efforts to control litter and clean up illegal dumps and environmental waste.

CWV Position: Supports

Status: Introduced on 2/5/26; referred to Government Organization Committee on 2/5/26.

HB 4107 requires applicants to DEP for air or water permits to state lawful business activity or purpose for the permit applied for.

Sponsors: Evan Hansen

CWV Position: Supports

Status: Introduced January 14, 2026; referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

HB 4516 would amend the West Virginia Code to allow conservation districts to partially reimburse property owners (“cooperators”) for certain septic system services.

Sponsors: Larry Kump

CWV Position: Supports

Status: Introduced on 1/19/26; referred to House Local Governments Committee on 1/20/26.

HB 4537 would require municipalities and public service districts to take specific actions when potential customers apply to be connected to public water or sewer service.

Sponsors: Gary Howell, Glenn Jeffries, Tom Willis

CWV Position: Supports

Status: Introduced on 1/19/26; referred to House Environment, Infrastructure, and Technology Committee on 1/19/26.

HB 4615 proposes creation of the Public Water Supply Reform Act of 2026. Its primary aim is to change how public water systems operate and communicate, especially concerning aboveground storage tanks and transparency in water system operations.

CWV Position: Supports

Status: Introduced on 1/20/26; referred to House Environment, Infrastructure, and Technology Committee on 1/20/26.

HB 4642 proposes creating a new West Virginia Clean Water Act of 2026 to strengthen drinking water safety, modernize standards, improve infrastructure, and protect public health throughout the state.

Sponsors: Evan Worrell, Michael Hite

CWV Position: Supports

Status: Introduced on 1/21/26; referred to House Energy and Public Works Committee on 1/21/26.

HB 4669 proposes to create a new article in the West Virginia Code called the “Safe Drinking Water Act.” Its primary purpose is to prohibit the addition of fluoride to public water systems in the state.

Sponsors: Lisa White

CWV Position: Opposes

Status: Introduced on 1/21/26; referred to House Health and Human Resources Committee on 1/21/26.

HB 4675 seeks to prohibit any government entity in West Virginia from charging property owners based on rainfall/runoff volume, effectively eliminating localized stormwater fees tied to property characteristics.

Sponsors: Chris Anders, Lisa White, Laura Kimble, Larry Kump, Wayne Clark

CWV Position: Opposes

Status: Introduced on 1/21/26; referred to House Energy and Public Works Committee on 1/21/26.

HB 4683 establishes new protections for groundwater, aquifers, and private wells, recognizing them as finite and essential resources. The bill specifically aims to prevent depletion of groundwater by data centers and ensure industrial development doesn’t compromise water resources or burden the public.

Sponsors: Chris Anders, Laura Kimble, Larry Kump

CWV Position: Supports

Status: Introduced on 1/21/26; referred to House Energy and Public Works on 1/21/26.

HB 4805 proposes adding a new section (§17C-4-18) to the West Virginia Code that establishes procedures for environmental cleanup following motor vehicle crashes or other environmental hazards.

CWV Position: Supports

Status: Introduced on 1/26/26; referred to House Energy and Public Works Committee on 1/26/26.

HB 4832 requires high-impact data centers to report and obtain approval for water use, authorizes DEP to restrict withdrawals to protect state water resources, and mandates public notice and hearings before approval.

Sponsors: Evan Hansen, John Williams, Sean Hornbuckle, Shawn Fluharty

CWV Position: Supports

Status: Introduced on 1/26/26; referred to House Energy and Public Works Committee on 1/26/26.

HB 4949 seeks to regulate how state agencies can adopt legislative rules concerning chemicals of emerging concern.

Sponsors: Matthew Rohrbach, Bob Fehrenbacher, Michael Hornby

CWV Position: Opposes

Status: Introduced on 1/29/26; referred to House Energy and Public Works Committee on 1/29/26.

HB 5008 proposes to amend West Virginia’s Water Resources Protection Act to add new definitions and reporting requirements focused on groundwater use, especially in areas known as growth counties (which have majority karst terrain).

Sponsors: Joe Funkhouser, William Ridenour, Ian Masters

CWV Position: Supports

Status: Introduced on 1/30/26; referred to House Energy and Public Works Committee on 1/30/26.

HB 5009 amends §8A-7-10 of the West Virginia Code to clarify how zoning ordinances apply, specifically by defining the term “use” in zoning law. It focuses on protecting certain activities and landowner rights from local zoning restrictions.

Sponsors: Joe Funkhouser, William Ridenour, Ian Masters

CWV Position: Opposes

Status: Introduced on 1/30/26; referred to House Government Organization Committee on 1/30/26.

HB 5173 seeks to strengthen and expand laws against littering and illegal dumping, especially in rural areas, by increasing penalties, clarifying enforcement, and establishing new programs and funds to help prevent and clean up illegal waste disposal.

Sponsors: Gary Howell, Phil Mallow

CWV Position: Supports

Status: Introduced on 2/4/26; referred to House Judiciary Committee on 2/4/26.