The Legislature Today

Reporter Roundtable Discusses 2026 Session And What’s To Come In Final Hours

On this episode of The Legislature Today, host and reporter Randy Yohe speaks with Senior Reporter Chris Schulz and Assistant News Director Maria Young. They discuss some of the biggest bills they covered during the 2026 regular session of the West Virginia Legislature — and what issues did not come up. They also look ahead to the legislature's final day, Saturday, March 14. ---------------------------------------- JOIN WEST VIRGINIA PUBLIC BROADCASTING SATURDAY, MARCH 14, 8 P.M. TO MIDNIGHT, FOR THE LEGISLATURE TODAY: FINAL HOURS LIVE. LEARN MORE — AND SEE OUR LIVE BLOG — HERE [https://wvpublic.org/story/government/the-legislature-today-final-hours-live-blog-march-14/]. ---------------------------------------- Wednesday this week was the last day for bills to make it out of committees. In total, there were 2,776 bills [https://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/Bills_all_bills.cfm?year=2026&sessiontype=RS&btype=bill] introduced this session, which is more than last year. We won’t know how many will officially pass until everything wraps Saturday night. Gov. Patrick Morrisey sent out a press release Thursday night indicating he signed Senate Bill 250 [https://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/bills_history.cfm?INPUT=250&year=2026&sessiontype=RS], the budget bill, and he highlighted several of his key priorities, including full funding for the Hope Scholarship, increased funding for roads, and progress made toward the 5% tax cut he included in his version of the budget. Also, Maria Young has been following legislative efforts to get struggling students the help they need – but not everyone agrees on the best process for doing that.  And, the West Virginia Legislature has completed its work on Senate Bill 4 [https://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/bills_history.cfm?INPUT=4&year=2026&sessiontype=RS], called the halo bill, that creates a misdemeanor for approaching law enforcement officers and first responders in the field. The bill passed Thursday in the House of Delegates by a vote of 83 to 12 with four members absent. WVU student journalist Samantha Smith asked State Police in Monongalia County how they felt about the bill and brings us this report.  Finally, our student reporters Nevaeh Siggers and Jenna Walker report on bills related to education and the foster care system that were introduced in both chambers this session. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsoazcTJqPk The Legislature Today [https://wvpublic.org/podcasts/the-legislature-today/] is West Virginia’s only television/radio simulcast devoted to covering the state’s 60-day regular legislative session. Watch or listen to new episodes every Friday at 6 p.m. on West Virginia Public Broadcasting during the state's regular session. Keep up with our daily coverage at wvpublic.org/thelegislaturetoday [https://wvpublic.org/podcasts/the-legislature-today/the-legislature-this-week/], and subscribe to our new podcast The Legislature This Week [https://wvpublic.org/podcasts/the-legislature-today/the-legislature-this-week/] for a look back at all the major headlines from the past week at the statehouse. [https://feedpress.me/link/14070/17299110.gif]

House, Senate Approves Budget Bill

On this episode of The Legislature Today, Wednesday this week marked Crossover Day, the last day to consider bills in their chamber of origin, and next week is the final week in the 60-day West Virginia Legislative session. Nearly 2,800 bills were introduced this year. It remains to be seen just how many pass. Lawmakers have until Saturday, March 14 at midnight to work through those bills. The state budget was the focal point this week. Thursday night, the House of Delegates concurred with final tweaks made by the Senate earlier that morning to increase Hope Scholarship funding, covering five quarters of payments into the 2027-2028 school year, trim road paving, and for the first time, fund the Flood Resiliency Fund. During the very minutes the Senate took its vote on the budget bill, News Director Eric Douglas was speaking with Kelly Allen, the executive director of the West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy, to discuss the budget and tax cuts. While some of the questions raised in the interview have now been answered, what remains is how they will play out for the state. Allen mentioned she hoped the budget compromise discussions would play out in public, but it those discussions were held in private.  Also, in this show, West Virginia University (WVU) News student reporter Lilly Reisenweber spoke with lawmakers and Monongalia County Board of Education officials to see how the Third Grade Success Act is working, and how it is changing elementary education. And, our student reporters [https://wvpublic.org/wvpb-education/the-legislature-today-student-reporters-program/] Nevaeh Siggers and Jenna Walker report on bills related to Child Protection Services (CPS) that were introduced in both chambers this session. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lbpDTgaA_g The Legislature Today [https://wvpublic.org/podcasts/the-legislature-today/] is West Virginia’s only television/radio simulcast devoted to covering the state’s 60-day regular legislative session. Watch or listen to new episodes every Friday at 6 p.m. on West Virginia Public Broadcasting. Keep up with our daily coverage at wvpublic.org/thelegislaturetoday [https://wvpublic.org/podcasts/the-legislature-today/the-legislature-this-week/], and subscribe to our new podcast The Legislature This Week [https://wvpublic.org/podcasts/the-legislature-today/the-legislature-this-week/] for a look back at all the major headlines from the past week at the statehouse. [https://feedpress.me/link/14070/17294932.gif]

Stakeholder Weighs In On ‘Ratepayers Bill Of Rights’

On this episode of The Legislature Today, Friday, Feb. 27, marks the 45th day of the 60-day session, and deadlines are coming fast. Bills must be out of their respective committees by Sunday to be able to meet crossover day next Wednesday, and lawmakers are still working their way through next fiscal year’s budget. On Thursday, West Virginians gathered at the capitol for Affordability Day to urge lawmakers to take action on rising electric bills. They were promoting legislation called the Ratepayers Bill of Rights. To learn more, News Director Eric Douglas sat down with Emmett Pepper, the policy director for Energy Efficient West Virginia.  Also, before the Senate Judiciary Committee began consideration of a host of child welfare bills this week, they first heard from people impacted by that system.   And, our student reporters [https://wvpublic.org/wvpb-education/the-legislature-today-student-reporters-program/] Saja Huggi and Lily Rhodes both had the day off from school and volunteered to be legislative pages. They bring us this insider's look. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZME7mRblvbA The Legislature Today [https://wvpublic.org/podcasts/the-legislature-today/] is West Virginia’s only television/radio simulcast devoted to covering the state’s 60-day regular legislative session. Watch or listen to new episodes every Friday at 6 p.m. on West Virginia Public Broadcasting. Keep up with our daily coverage at wvpublic.org/thelegislaturetoday [https://wvpublic.org/podcasts/the-legislature-today/the-legislature-this-week/], and subscribe to our new podcast The Legislature This Week [https://wvpublic.org/podcasts/the-legislature-today/the-legislature-this-week/] for a look back at all the major headlines from the past week at the statehouse. [https://feedpress.me/link/14070/17285402.gif]

Delegates Discuss Needs Of State Foster Care System

On this episode of The Legislature Today, issues with Child Protective Services (CPS) and the state foster care system are persistent. The West Virginia Legislature faces questions on how to correct the problems that arise every year. News Director Eric Douglas speaks with Dels. Jonathan Pinson, R-Mason, and Hollis Lewis, D-Kanawha, to get their take on the issue.  Also, in this show, the House of Delegates this week hit a significant deadline and can no longer introduce new bills this session. The Senate will hit the same milestone next week.  The Senate advanced multiple bills this week that could have a big impact across the state. They include bills to allow the use of mobile devices by CPS workers in child abuse and neglect investigations, another would offer a long-acting reversible contraception to male and female patients receiving methadone and suboxone, and another bill would create the Office of Healthy Lifestyles within the state Department of Health. Both chambers also advanced state budget bills, the only bill the legislature is constitutionally required to pass. The budget is expected to include a 3% pay raise for public employees, a 3% increase to the employer share of PEIA and a personal income tax cut. Gov. Patrick Morrisey’s proposed budget included a 5% cut, but he has asked lawmakers to find another 5% to make a total tax cut of 10% this year. Finally, our student report [https://wvpublic.org/wvpb-education/the-legislature-today-student-reporters-program/] this week comes to us from Nevaeh Siggers and Jenna Walker. They explain a variety of actions in the legislature that involve teachers in West Virginia.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9SeS6M7CI8 The Legislature Today [https://wvpublic.org/podcasts/the-legislature-today/] is West Virginia’s only television/radio simulcast devoted to covering the state’s 60-day regular legislative session. Watch or listen to new episodes every Friday at 6 p.m. on West Virginia Public Broadcasting. Keep up with our daily coverage at wvpublic.org/thelegislaturetoday [https://wvpublic.org/podcasts/the-legislature-today/the-legislature-this-week/], and subscribe to our new podcast The Legislature This Week [https://wvpublic.org/podcasts/the-legislature-today/the-legislature-this-week/] for a look back at all the major headlines from the past week at the statehouse. [https://feedpress.me/link/14070/17280450.gif]

State Senators Discuss School Funding Needs

On this episode of The Legislature Today, in this school year alone, the state Board of Education has been asked to approve 19 school closures or consolidations. A big part of the reason for that is falling enrollment, especially in rural counties. The state’s school aid formula hasn’t been adjusted in decades, while requirements on public schools have changed.  News Director Eric Douglas speaks with Sen. Mike Oliverio, R-Monongalia, a member of the Senate Education Committee, and Sen. Mike Woelfel, D-Cabell, a member of the Senate Finance Committee, to discuss what needs to be done to fix the issue.  Also, in this show, we are past the halfway mark in the 60-day legislative session. The last day to introduce legislation in the House of Delegates is next Tuesday, while the same deadline will pass in the Senate the following week. House Speaker Roger Hanshaw, R-Clay, held a press conference immediately following a lengthy floor session Tuesday. He reviewed bills the House has been working on that follow his "Jobs First Opportunity Everywhere" agenda. And, a bill approved by the West Virginia Senate on Tuesday would permit adults under 21 to carry a concealed firearm without first getting the provisional license that’s currently required. Finally, our student report [https://wvpublic.org/wvpb-education/the-legislature-today-student-reporters-program/] this week comes from Lily Rhodes and Saja Huggi as they discuss some of the recent bills in the House and Senate that have implications on today's youth. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpXUf6o-wQs The Legislature Today [https://wvpublic.org/podcasts/the-legislature-today/] is West Virginia’s only television/radio simulcast devoted to covering the state’s 60-day regular legislative session. Watch or listen to new episodes every Friday at 6 p.m. on West Virginia Public Broadcasting. Keep up with our daily coverage at wvpublic.org/thelegislaturetoday [https://wvpublic.org/podcasts/the-legislature-today/the-legislature-this-week/], and subscribe to our new podcast The Legislature This Week [https://wvpublic.org/podcasts/the-legislature-today/the-legislature-this-week/] for a look back at all the major headlines from the past week at the statehouse. [https://feedpress.me/link/14070/17276075.gif]