The Second Regular Session of the 87th West Virginia Legislature convenes today, officially launching 60 days of policy discussions, budget negotiations, and legislative activity that will shape the state’s direction for the coming year. Below is a snapshot of what’s happening immediately — and what clients should expect in the weeks ahead.
House leadership is entering the 2026 session with a clear message: economic development and workforce readiness will be front and center.
In a session-opening announcement, Roger Hanshaw, Speaker of the West Virginia House of Delegates, emphasized that legislators are responding directly to voter priorities.
“West Virginia voters continue to tell us they want us to focus on jobs,” Hanshaw said, noting that an internal survey of House Republicans overwhelmingly pointed to economic development and education as top priorities.
According to House leadership, many of the proposals expected this session stem from interim committee work, multi-state research, and policy discussions held since the 2025 session adjourned. While the Speaker cautioned that the list is not exhaustive, several broad themes are already emerging.
Key areas of focus include:
- Workforce-ready education initiatives, including proposed pay raises for teachers and service personnel
- Job training and upskilling programs such as the ReCharge West Virginia Act
- New skills pathways tied to aviation, technology, and advanced manufacturing
- Regulatory modernization aimed at reducing red tape and supporting job creation
- Economic development tools such as flexible tax credits, infrastructure fast-tracking, and site-readiness investments
- Policies tied to recycling, advanced manufacturing, and modernized energy infrastructure
House leaders have framed these proposals as practical, community-driven efforts aimed at strengthening West Virginia’s long-term economic competitiveness.
Looking Ahead
The opening days of session set the tone, but much of the real work happens behind the scenes as bills are introduced, amended, and negotiated. Our team will be actively monitoring developments, engaging with policymakers, and keeping clients informed as priorities evolve.
If you have additional questions about how session activity may impact your organization — or if you’d like to discuss engagement strategies during the process — please don’t hesitate to reach out to our team (info@3pswv.com)