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WV HB5210

WV HB5210
Comprehesive reform of the state’s water infrastructure systems.


summary

Introduced
02/05/2026
In Committee
02/05/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2026 Regular Session

Bill Summary

The purpose of this bill is to comprehensively reform the state’s water and wastewater infrastructure, streamline and clarify the process for issuing certain state grants and loans for water and wastewater infrastructure projects, eliminating the Water Development Authority Board and reassigning any necessary functions, requiring additional reports and on-going training for city and county operators of public water and wastewater systems, allowing public water and wastewater systems to enter into Regional Cooperative Agreements, creating an Early Intervention Pilot Program for struggling public water and wastewater utilities, updating the methodology for the watch list for troubled public water and wastewater utilities, establishing an improvement period for public water and wastewater utilities on the watch list, and allowing for required memorandums of understanding when an identified acquiring utility is exempt from forced consolidation.

AI Summary

This bill proposes comprehensive reforms to West Virginia's water and wastewater infrastructure systems by streamlining grant and loan processes, eliminating the Water Development Authority Board and reassigning its functions to the West Virginia Water Development and Infrastructure Council, and requiring additional training and reporting for public water and wastewater system operators. It also allows these systems to enter into Regional Cooperative Agreements, establishes an Early Intervention Pilot Program for struggling utilities, updates the methodology for a "watch list" of troubled utilities, and creates an improvement period for those on the list. Furthermore, the bill allows for required memorandums of understanding when an identified acquiring utility is exempt from forced consolidation, and expands the Water Development Authority's ability to finance projects for private utilities, though with certain limitations and priorities.

Committee Categories

Transportation and Infrastructure

Sponsors (2)

Last Action

Markup Discussion (on 02/18/2026)

bill text


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