Rotunda Roundup
West Virginia’s 2026 Regular Session heads into Tuesday, January 27, 2026 (Day 14) with winter-weather disruptions still shaping the cadence at the Capitol. The House and Senate held abbreviated floor sessions on Monday, January 26, 2026, with leadership signaling a return toward a more “routine” schedule as conditions allow. On the policy front, human trafficking/smuggling legislation is positioned to re-emerge as a pressure point when the House returns to fuller operation, while the Senate calendar continues to stack bills and resolutions for consideration. Official record availability remains uneven:
West Virginia Government & Agencies
HOUSE AND SENATE GAVEL IN, BUT KEEP IT SHORT BECAUSE OF ICY, SLICK WEATHER
Winter conditions materially reduced floor activity on January 26, 2026, driving an abbreviated operational posture in both chambers. The article notes the session’s tempo was constrained by road conditions, outages, and safety concerns statewide.
Source: WV MetroNews
Why it Matters: Short floor days create downstream compression—watch for agenda pileups and late-week sequencing fights.
WHEN DELEGATES RETURN, PASSAGE VOTE ON HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND SMUGGLING BILL COULD HEAT UP
House leadership is positioned for renewed floor friction over a trafficking/smuggling measure once weather-disrupted attendance normalizes. The MetroNews report flags the issue as one to watch as the House reconstitutes full attendance and resumes normal debate tempo.
Source: WV MetroNews
Why it Matters: Expect stakeholder engagement to spike fast—this is the kind of bill that can pivot from “quiet” to “hot” in a single floor day.
House Speaker Roger Hanshaw outlines session goals, while WV Public Broadcasting highlights a Medicaid access pathway for newly pregnant West Virginians. The segment frames both legislative priorities and immediate-state-service navigation in one package.
Source: West Virginia Public Broadcasting
Why it Matters: This combines political direction-setting with a near-term programmatic “how-to”—useful for clients tracking both policy and constituent-service implications.
GOVERNOR MORRISEY PROVIDES WINTER STORM UPDATE (JANUARY 26, 2026)
The Governor’s office reiterated a statewide safety posture—stay off roads unless travel is absolutely necessary—while summarizing response and recovery actions. This is the administration’s operational signal to agencies, local partners, and the public as hazardous conditions persist.
Source: WV Office of the Governor
Why it Matters: Executive messaging sets the “operational guardrails” for agencies and can reshape legislative/committee logistics on short notice.
FLOOD RESILIENCY DISBURSEMENTS: SB 390 / HB 4018 ALIGNMENT SIGNAL
SB 390 (introduced form) targets the mechanics of Flood Resiliency Trust Fund disbursement authority tied to the State Resiliency Officer and the Flood Resiliency Plan. The House-side companion reference shows HB 4018 as “similar to SB 390,” anchoring a bicameral lane for action.
Source: WV Legislature — SB 390 Introduced PDF
Source: WV Legislature — HB 4018 Bill History
Why it Matters: Flood-resiliency policy is moving as a structural “framework” even when funding questions remain—clients should track how authority and prioritization rules shift.
Federal Watch
WV MetroNews reports that Morgan Morrow, 39, of Ripley (Jackson County) was arrested and jailed after investigators say she made multiple social media posts advocating the killing of President Donald Trump and his supporters. Jackson County Sheriff Ross Mellinger said the posts went beyond political venting, alleging she discussed reasons and methods and encouraged others—specifically someone “with a terminal illness”—to carry out an assassination, and also referenced violent rhetoric toward supporters. Authorities said she did not deny the statements after being taken into custody and was described as “proud” of what she posted. The sheriff also noted she is a public librarian in the county, raising concerns (in his view) about influence around children, while investigators indicated they did not see evidence she intended to act personally, but believed she was emphatic that an assassination was necessary.
Business & Industry
CALPINE INVESTMENT ANNOUNCEMENT REMAINS ON THE GOVERNOR’S NEWS DOCKET (CONTEXT ITEM)
The Governor’s news index continues to list a “$1 Billion-plus Calpine Corporation Investment” announcement dated January 22, 2026. (Index reference only; individual story link not opened in this run.)
Source: WV Office of the Governor — News Index
Why it Matters: Large-scale site-selection signals can drive secondary legislative activity (incentives, workforce, infrastructure) even after the initial announcement window.
The Grid (Energy/Utilities/Regulatory)
WINTER STORM UPDATE: HAZARD CONDITIONS CONTINUE TO DRIVE TRAVEL AND OPERATIONS
The Governor’s January 26, 2026 update underscores ongoing hazardous conditions from a mix of snow, ice, freezing rain, and heavy rainfall. Operationally, this can affect utility restoration logistics, agency staffing, and legislative scheduling.
Source: WV Office of the Governor
Why it Matters: Storm logistics create real-time regulatory and operational pressure points—especially around road access, restoration crews, and public safety coordination.
STATE OF EMERGENCY ORDER CONTEXT (ISSUED JANUARY 23, 2026)
The Governor’s office announced a statewide State of Emergency for all 55 counties ahead of the storm impacting January 24–26, 2026.
Source: WV Office of the Governor
Why it Matters: Emergency declarations shape procurement flexibilities, response authorities, and the “ground rules” for multi-agency coordination.
Legislative Info Desk
Tuesday, January 27, 2026 (14th Day of Session)
West Virginia Senate (per Senate Communications)
Weather update: a later advisory notes a 2-hour delay due to extreme cold conditions, with a now 1:00 p.m. floor session and committee timing adjustments. Bottom line: watch floor announcements closely because meeting times may shift same-day.
Unfinished Business
SR 14 — Recognizing James and Lucille Pennington for receiving the 2025 West Virginia Logger of the Year award.
Third Reading: None scheduled for Tuesday.
Second Reading:
Com. Sub. for SB 55 — Creates a criminal offense for obstructing/hindering a home incarceration supervisor or social services worker.
Com. Sub. for SB 281 — Authorizes the Department of Homeland Security to promulgate legislative rules.
Com. Sub. for SB 309 — Authorizes DOT to promulgate legislative rules.
First Reading:
Com. Sub. for SB 4 — Relating to crimes against public justice.
Com. Sub. for SB 84 — Prohibits law enforcement from placing surveillance cameras on private property.
SB 388 — Requires public elementary/secondary schools to make an Aitken Bible available to certain classrooms.
Com. Sub. for SB 390 — Alters conditions for flood resiliency disbursements (noted as originally similar to HB 4018).
Com. Sub. for SB 400 — Updates personal income tax definitions and provisions relating to gaming/gambling losses (noted as originally similar to HB 4024).
SB 443 — Grants municipal fire marshals authority to assist in lawful execution of law-enforcement duties.
SB 445 — Adds Potomac State College as eligible for the Learn and Earn Program (noted as originally similar to HB 4533).
Senate committee schedule (as published; all subject to change)
9:30 a.m. — Education (451M)
SB 102 — Establishing Summer Feeding for All Program
HB 4574 — Condition-based emergency funding for a financially distressed county
9:30 a.m. — Government Organization (208W)
Com. Sub. for SB 167 — Meetings for local levying bodies
SB 506 — Permits certain use of county-owned wireless tower
12:30 p.m. — Transportation & Infrastructure (451M)
SCR 1 — Requests DOH name certain transportation infrastructure
Presentation: DOH Pavement Management System
12:30 p.m. — Workforce (208W)
Com. Sub. for SB 233 — Polygraph licensing qualifications
Com. Sub. for SB 396 — Creates WV Job Training and Placement Act
SB 402 — Workforce Readiness and Opportunity Act
Com. Sub. for SB 490 — Short-term training programs for federal Workforce Pell Grants
1:30 p.m. — Health & Human Resources (451M)
SB 543 — Requires Bureau for Social Services to file a legislative rule
SB 546 — Clothing and necessity allowance
3:00 p.m. — Finance (451M)
SB 403 — Expands definition of “tourism attraction”
SB 427 — Relates to loan form
Budget Presentations: Dept. of Tourism, Bureau for Senior Services, State Treasurer
3:00 p.m. — Judiciary (208W)
Com. Sub. for SB 61 — Prohibits acceptance of illegal ballots cast in any election
Com. Sub. for SB 374 — Rule bundle (Economic Development tourism development districts) plusadditional rules noted as included (Forestry timberland certification; Labor child labor; Miners’ Safety mine safety program; DNR hunting/boating/wildlife rehab/hunting & trapping definitions and prohibitions/deer/migratory birds; Rehab Services Ron Yost PAS Act Board)
West Virginia House of Delegates (per House Communications)
Weather-driven reality check (Monday)
Ann notes the state is dealing with snow and ice; the House met in a brief, abbreviated session Monday.
Tuesday, January 27 plan (a “more routine” day)
Finance Committee — 11:00 a.m., Room 460M (with the House Budget Hearing Calendar referenced)
Judiciary Committee — 11:00 a.m., Room 410M
Subcommittee on Legal Services — 11:45 a.m., Room 410M
Subcommittee on Homeland Security — 12:00 p.m., Room 410M
Subcommittee on Courts — 12:15 p.m., Room 410M
Rules Committee — 12:30 p.m., Speaker’s Conference Room 218M
House floor session — 1:00 p.m.
Subcommittee on Local Government — 1:00 p.m., East Wing Committee Room 215E
Education Committee — 1:30 p.m., Room 432M
Subcommittee on Agriculture, Commerce, and Tourism — 2:00 p.m., East Wing 215E
Health & Human Resources Committee — 3:30 p.m., East Wing 215E
Calendars / tracking links referenced
“Resolutions to be Introduced”
“Bills to be Introduced”
“House Calendar (inactive)”
“House Special Calendar (active)”
“Listen Live” page (explicitly flagged as something to refresh throughout the day), with a link to the House Audio Archive for posted audio files
Live-update channels
Follow @WVHouse on X for live floor updates
Follow @WVLegislature on X for updates from both chambers
Committee times and agendas are subject to change |
