West Virginia lawmakers ended the 2026 session with some progress on foster care and child care, but stalled on power-bill relief, public school funding, drinking water and flood prevention. The wrap-up tracks what passed, what failed and what it could mean for residents.
West Virginia’s site readiness grants have helped local agencies pay for engineering, environmental work and permits to make properties “business-ready.” But most of the $5 million program is already committed, and the governor’s proposed budget includes no new line item for it.
A bill aims to unlock $34 million in unspent West Virginia medical cannabis funds by routing revenue through the general fund and into cannabis oversight, university research, substance abuse programs and testing.
A federal judge ordered the release of two immigrants detained in West Virginia, blasting ICE for jailing them without evidence or proof they posed any threat. As Trump’s immigration crackdown reaches the state, more detainees are suing for release and more cases are expected.
West Virginians face soaring power bills — up 34% in five years — with many households spending more than 6% of their income just to keep the lights on.
Three citizen groups are appealing a state air permit for a Tucker County data center, arguing the public can’t verify emissions calculations due to redacted information.
West Virginia patients struggle to afford medical cannabis due to high prices and limited access. While neighboring states have cheaper products through recreational markets, West Virginia’s medical-only program leaves many patients unable to get the treatment they need.
West Virginia has taken control of eight county school systems serving nearly 25,000 students, citing administrative and financial failures, and can appoint superintendents, manage budgets and consolidate schools until issues are fixed.
West Virginia’s $1.2 billion broadband plan will leave about 40,000 households (roughly 100,000 people) without upgrades after federal reclassification counts fixed-wireless service as served, narrowing BEAD eligibility and opening funding to nonfiber providers.
West Virginia’s congressional delegation has largely avoided town halls—Sen. Jim Justice canceled multiple appearances, Sen. Shelley Moore Capito and Rep. Carol Miller made no town-hall plans, and Rep. Riley Moore relied on an AFP teleconference.
