Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Woods? Senator Weaver? Senator Bell? Here. Here. Here. We have a quorum.
• Senator Hatcher. I. Senator Holley. Senator Kelly. Senator Melson. I. Senator Roberts.
• Senator Melson. Senator Roberts. Senator Sessions. Senator Givan. Senator Givan.
• Senator Butler. Senator Cornley. Senator Chesteen. Senator Coleman. Senator Figures. Senator Givan.
• Senator Hatcher. Senator Holvey. Senator Kelly. Senator Melson. Senator Roberts. Senator Sessions.

Bills: HB381, HB259, HB393, HB399, SB358, SB362, SB363, SB348, SB187

Keywords: 923, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator<00:29:20.320> Mann. Senator Mann. Senator Mann.
• Senator<00:31:05.040> Boldon. Senator Boldon. Senator Boldon.
• Senator<01:01:11.840> Latzky. Senator Latzky. Senator Latzky.
• Senator Abeler. Senator<01:09:48.160> Utke. Senator Utke. Senator Utke.
• Senator<01:37:31.000> Utke. Senator Utke. Senator Utke.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• >> Senator<00:18:16.559> Waters, >> Senator Waters, >> Senator Waters, do<00
• Senator<00:42:38.960> Pearl. Senator Pearl. Senator Pearl.
• >> Senator Pearl, Senator Rosenwaldman, thank you.
• >> Senator Pearl, Senator Rosenwaldman, thank you.
• >> Yeah, Senator Pearl, Senator Rosenwaldman, thank you.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator?<00:24:53.880> Thank<00:24:54.240> you. Senator? Thank you. Senator?
• Senator Senator Senator Thank<00:30:37.160> you<00:30:37.400> very<00:30:37.720> much
• Senator Waters: Yeah, I agree with Senator Carson.
• And And And Senator<00:40:45.600> Berthel Senator Berthel Senator Berthel wishes<00:40:48.000>
• Senator<00:56:07.400> Waters. Senator Waters. Senator Waters.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• >> Senator Aler. >> Senator Aler.
• Senator Oshilla.
• Senator<00:48:53.760> Sullivan. Senator Sullivan. Senator Sullivan.
• Senator Alola. >> Questions. Senator Alola.
• Yes, Senator<01:37:13.040> Sullivan, Senator Sullivan, Senator Sullivan, >> thank<01:37:

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Up first today we have Senate File 4400 with Senator Mohamed.
• Senator<00:10:22.160> Draheim. Senator Draheim. Senator Draheim.
• >> Senator<00:13:46.560> Lucero. >> Senator Lucero. >> Senator Lucero.
• Uh with that, Senator Muhammad moves Senate File 4400. Senator Muhammad moves Senate File 4400.
• :45:18.320> Senate<00:45:18.600> File that, Senator Muhammad moves Senate File that, Senator

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Abbas is not able to be here, and as Senate President I've appointed Senator Lang to sit in his
• It is Senator Abbas' amendment 1102s, and I'd like to introduce that because Senator Ganon, Senator Abbas
• we did, Senator, I keep Ganon, what we did, Senator, I keep saying<00:05:05.680> Senator,<00:
• > saying Senator, Senator Abis, we were saying Senator, Senator Abis, we were all<00:05:08.160> there
• motion of Senate Bill 558? motion of Senate Bill 558?

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I hear Senator Rochefort wants to take it up. Senator Rochefort.
• by Senator Roseford.
• <00:34:00.960> We >> Senator seconded by Senator Roseford.
• We >> Senator seconded by Senator Roseford.
• >> Senator<00:40:08.560> L. >> Senator L. >> Senator L.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate is now adjourned.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The meeting concluded with a motion put to a vote. Members were asked to respond with “aye” in favor and “no” in opposition, and the motion passed. Following the vote, the Senate was adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate File 4115 is a resolution condemning such actions against the Hindu community and all forms of
• Senate File 4115 is a resolution condemning such actions against the Hindu community and all forms of
• Senate File 4115 is a resolution condemning such actions against the Hindu community and all forms of
• Senator Latz, the expected action is to move this on to the rules committee, where all of the resolutions
• Chairman, for joining me on this particular resolution, Senator Kun and Senator Hoffman.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• in today's hearing: Senator Carlson from Eagan, Senator Lang from Olivia, Senator Coleman from Chanhassen
• Senator Dibble, I would Senator Dibble.
• Senator<00:53:29.119> Jazinski. Senator Jazinski. Senator Jazinski.
• >> Senator, sorry, Senator Johnson. Sure. >> Senator, sorry, Senator Johnson.
• Senator<01:48:06.719> Johnson. Senator Johnson. Senator Johnson.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Maye Quade, Senate File 3969.
• :59:19.120> Senator<00:59:19.360> Boldon, Senator and with that, Senator Boldon, Senator
• Senator Coonish. Thank you, Senator Chair.
• Senator<01:28:33.840> Abeler. Senator Abeler. Senator Abeler.
• . senator. senator.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Abeler. So, Senator Rasmussen. Senator Abeler. So, Senator Rasmussen.
• Senator Rasmussen. Senator Rasmussen.
• Senator Groeneweg and then we're going to go to Senator Rasmusson. Senator Rasmusson.
• and<00:53:34.000> Senator Um Senator Maye Quade and Senator Um Senator Maye Quade and Senator
• Senator Abeler is correct, Senate 4399. Senator Abeler is correct, Senate 4399.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Kupec. Senator Kupec.
• <00:15:40.600> Uh, Senator Rarick. Senator Rarick. Uh, Senator Rarick. Senator Rarick.
• Excuse me, Senator Green. Uh, Senator Green.
• Uh Senator Excuse me, Senator Friends.
• Thank you, Senator Senator Friends.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll start with Senate File 3801 from Senator Putnam.
• We have Senate File 3417 from Senator Pha. And we have Senate File 3651 from Senator Draheim.
• We'll now go to Senator P. Senator P, you have Senate File 3417.
• Senator<00:46:22.720> Pratt. Senator Pratt. Senator Pratt.
• Senator Champion with Senate File 3937. Senator Champion with Senate File 3937.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Clerk, read the resolutions: Senate Concurrent Resolution 5, Senate Concurrent Resolution 6, Senate Concurrent
• Resolution 7, Senate Concurrent Resolution 8, Senate Concurrent Resolution 9, and...
• Senate Concurrent Resolution 7, Senate Concurrent Resolution 8, Senate Concurrent Resolution 9, and Senate
• Clerk, read the resolution: Senate Concurrent Resolution 50, requesting the Joint Committee on Government
• The question before the Senate is the adoption of the resolution.

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The Senate considered and passed several measures, beginning with House Bill 4245, a Department of Revenue rules bundle covering 27 rules from six agencies. The Senate adopted an amendment changing two lottery rules and one tax rule related to pre-need cemetery companies, then passed the bill 30-1, adopted a title amendment, and made it effective from passage. The chamber also adopted a group of interim study resolutions, including studies on school finance transparency, divorce grounds, the Southern West Virginia water crisis, athletic trainer access in public secondary schools, the Eastern gray fox population, upland game bird stamps, and the PSC. Members then passed House Bill 5381, which reworked the Office of Energy’s role to develop a comprehensive energy development policy and grid stabilization plan, moved coalfield community development under that office, and expanded energy development planning authority. House Bill 5412, the Future Ready Education Act, was amended to require annual vocational and agricultural offerings unless not viable, and to require K-5 literacy teachers to complete science-of-reading training by the 2028-29 school year; it passed 33-0. The Senate also passed Senate Bill 845 on supplemental appropriations and the civil contingency fund, concurring in a House amendment that reappropriated funds and increased the fund from $15 million to $25 million, and made it effective from passage. A major floor debate centered on House Bill 4198, the E-Verify Safe Harbor Act. Senators discussed whether to require employers to use E-Verify, with one amendment narrowing the mandate to public employers and creating a permissive option for private employers, while preserving penalties for unauthorized hiring and recordkeeping violations. After debate over small-business impacts and federal-state law conflicts, the Senate adopted the amendment as amended, passed the bill 31-3, and amended the title. The chamber also passed House Bill 5453 to modify the school aid funding formula by adding weighted enrollment for certain special education students and adjusting staffing-related provisions, and House Bill 4004 creating the Recharge West Virginia training reimbursement program, which was passed and made effective from passage. Later, the Senate resolved several House amendment disputes by concurring in or receding from amendments on bills including House Bill 4009 on portable benefits, Senate Bill 587, Senate Bill 164 on long-term substitute teachers, House Bill 4606 on pretrial release for certain felonies, House Bill 4010, House Bill 5438, and House Bill 4765. Most of these measures passed with broad support, and several were made effective July 1, 2026 or from passage. The session concluded with the Senate adjourning sine die.

Transcript Highlights:

• Clerk, read the resolutions: Senate Concurrent Resolution 5, Senate Concurrent Resolution 6, Senate Concurrent
• Resolution 7, Senate Concurrent Resolution 8, Senate Concurrent Resolution 9, and… Senate Concurrent
• Resolution 7, Senate Concurrent Resolution 8, Senate Concurrent Resolution 9, and Senate Concurrent
• Clerk, read the resolution: Senate Concurrent Resolution 50, requesting the Joint Committee on Government
• Clerk, read the resolution: Senate Concurrent Resolution 50, requesting the Joint Committee on Government

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The Senate considered and passed House Bill 4245, the Department of Revenue rules bundle covering 27 rules from six agencies. Members withdrew the committee amendment, adopted a floor amendment making changes to two lottery rules and one tax rule related to pre-need cemetery companies, then passed the bill 30-1. The Senate also adopted a title amendment and made the bill effective from passage by a 31-0 vote. Later, when the House rejected the Senate’s amendments, the Senate receded from its amendments and again passed the bill, making it effective from passage. The chamber also adopted several concurrent resolutions from the Rules Committee, including studies on school finance transparency, divorce grounds, the Southern West Virginia water crisis, athletic trainer access in public secondary schools, the eastern gray fox population, upland game bird stamp purchases, and the Public Service Commission. Senate Concurrent Resolution 50, calling for a study of the PSC, was also adopted. In addition, the Senate passed House Bill 5381, which expands the Office of Energy’s role to develop a comprehensive energy policy and grid stabilization plan, and House Bill 5412, the Future Ready Education Act, after amending it to require annual vocational and agriculture offerings unless not viable and to set science-of-reading training requirements for K-5 literacy teachers by 2028-29. The Senate passed House Bill 845, a supplemental appropriation to the Governor’s Office Civil Contingent Fund, after concurring in a House amendment that reappropriated federal match grant funds and increased the civil contingency surplus fund from $15 million to $25 million; it was made effective from passage. The chamber also concurred in House amendments to House Bill 4106 on constitutional carry for 18- to 20-year-olds, House Bill 4004 creating the Recharge West Virginia training reimbursement program, House Bill 5453 revising the school aid funding formula for special education weighting, and other measures including House Bill 4009 on portable benefits, Senate Bill 164 on substitute teacher definitions, and House Bill 4606 on pretrial release for certain felonies. A lengthy debate centered on House Bill 4198, the E-Verify Safe Harbor Act. The Judiciary Committee amendment would have required public and certain private employers to use E-Verify, while a further amendment from the Senator from Randolph would have limited the mandate to public employers and made E-Verify optional for private employers with liability protections for good-faith use. After extensive discussion about small business impacts, federal-state conflicts, and enforcement, the Senate adopted the Randolph amendment and then passed the bill 31-3, with a title amendment also adopted. The Senate later refused to concur in House amendments to House Bill 4010, concurred in House amendments to House Bill 5438, receded from amendments to House Bill 4765, and adjourned sine die.

Transcript Highlights:

• Clerk will report the resolution. Senate Resolution 67 by Senator Smith, Mr.
• Senate Resolution 67, recognizing the... Clerk will read the resolution.
• President, I ask the Senate adopt Senate Resolution 67. Question on the adoption of the resolution.
• Clerk will report the resolution. Senate Resolution 68 by Senator Smith, Mr.
• I ask that all remarks on Senate Resolution 67 and Senate Resolution 68 be printed in the appendix of

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The Senate took up a series of House amendments and conference-related actions on multiple bills, mostly concurring with the House and passing the measures. Bills approved included SB 194 on the disabled veteran taxpayer definition, SB 499 on auto accident toxicology testing, SB 672 on Real Estate Commission license discipline, SB 724 on home confinement officers and EMS retirement, SB 897 on alcohol and drug counselor licensure, SB 982 creating the Neighborhood Access Road Program, SB 197 increasing penalties for sex crimes against minors, SB 648 on the Strategic and Critical Resources Act, SB 182 on minor boundary adjustment annexation, SB 5101 on strangulation penalties, SB 4364 on juvenile offender bail/counsel provisions, SB 4412 on age verification for websites, SB 5564 on deputy sheriff vacation carryover, SB 4138 on sex offender registration fees, SB 4951 on continuing education for MDs and DOs, SB 4 on officer protections, and SB 927 on agricultural rulemaking and municipal regulation of beekeeping. In several cases the Senate also adopted effective-date motions, including making SB 724 effective July 1, 2026 and SB 648 effective from passage. The chamber also handled a disagreement on House Bill 4588, refusing to recede from its amendment and appointing a conference committee. On SB 389, the Senate refused to concur in the House amendment and asked the House to recede after the House amendment stripped operative provisions from the historic rehab building credit bill. SB 182 was briefly reconsidered and then passed again after a motion to reconsider the vote. A major portion of the meeting was devoted to adopting Senate Resolution 67 honoring Senator Michael Andrew Woelfel and Senate Resolution 68 honoring Senator Charles Houston Clements. Members from both parties gave extended remarks praising Woelfel’s candor, mentorship, and long service, and Clements’s steadiness, institutional knowledge, and public service. Both resolutions were adopted by roll call vote, and the Senate then recessed briefly to present the honorees with resolutions and flags flown over the Capitol.