West Virginia House Bill HB2239

West Virginia 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/12/25
• Refer: 2/12/25

Caption

Relating to authorizing the Department of Health to promulgate a legislative rule relating to public water systems

Summary

HB2239 is a rule-authorization bill that allows the West Virginia Department of Health to promulgate a legislative rule governing public water systems. The bill does not itself create a new regulatory program or rewrite substantive water law; instead, it approves a specific administrative rule that was filed in the State Register, revised to address objections from the Legislative Rule-Making Review Committee, and refiled for authorization. The measure references the Department of Health rule identified as 64 CSR 03 and serves as the Legislature’s formal approval for that rule to take effect. In practical terms, the bill supports the Department’s ability to regulate and oversee public water systems under existing statutory authority, likely affecting water system operators, local utilities, and other regulated entities that must comply with state drinking water and infrastructure standards.

Impact

HB2239 would amend West Virginia Code §64-5-1 to add authorization for the Department of Health’s legislative rule on public water systems. Its legal effect is limited to approving the administrative rule rather than changing the underlying statute governing water systems. The bill therefore impacts state law by enabling the Department to enforce or administer the rule framework contained in 64 CSR 03, with downstream effects on public water suppliers, compliance obligations, and state oversight of water quality and system operations.

Sentiment

Based on the bill text and available context, the overall sentiment appears procedural and neutral rather than controversial. There are no recorded committee transcripts or votes showing opposition or support, and the bill is presented as a routine authorization of a revised agency rule. The language suggests the rule had already been reviewed and modified to address prior objections, indicating a technical, administrative measure rather than a policy fight.

Contention

The main point of potential contention is not the bill itself but the underlying administrative rule for public water systems, which had to be modified to meet objections from the Legislative Rule-Making Review Committee before being refiled. That suggests some prior concern about the rule’s content, scope, or compliance with legislative expectations. However, no specific objections, opponents, or supporters are identified in the available materials, and no recorded debate or vote history is provided.