[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6097774,"mediaKeyId","2826466-34661c9b932e8d097f73e09a22b712d7","parentId",2826466,"title","Senate approves bill to curb surprise ground ambulance bills; sets effective date for 2026","audioSeconds",140,"startMs",2150000,"endMs",2290000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2826466-34661c9b932e8d097f73e09a22b712d7&start=2150&end=2290","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2826466-34661c9b932e8d097f73e09a22b712d7/thumbnail_2150000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6097774/West-Virginia/Senate-approves-bill-to-curb-surprise-ground-ambulance-bills-sets-effective-date-for-2026","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6097774-141513230261fcc9b4718392a4e529cb/orig.mp4?Expires=1774930838&Signature=LsQq-sIIPdTGMsZFjwf-804x5FTk0LXd9yJZhwrfiMn902y6IxnwdRHiaGJaz9YUuZXevtBApwI9osEynBmXqeLQfW2IN6qoz~6OVu~xaqV8KDfbAYv20I8duv0F9MQJLoBFrH84T-J6RQfwfGW~soXRFvnJlgEHLJHzArAHoHdaoOlC-IzHv7X5lajxzrR3CauoHpGp5z~3hONGTpuTs32iFHlWNB9VI9gvSqpjHfG0w5AYGSRkSfeb5eCRGlwV396aRgzWBCAF41UyYs5kOwI1BgmGOf6K1qJpQfvd7WhIllJyT3gLox~Z-GPwWvvJHulmGPv6jCy0HEZG565QDQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","West Virginia Legislature","date","2025-03-31T00:00:00Z","article","CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Senate on March 29 passed a bill designed to reduce surprise billing by ground ambulance providers, requiring insurers to remit payment directly to out‑of‑network ambulance agencies in most circumstances.

The bill requires insurers to pay an out‑of‑network ground ambulance provider within 30 days of receipt of a clean claim and establishes a payment standard for the amount due; it applies to private insurance only and does not change Medicaid or PEIA payment rules, senators said.

Supporters described the measure as preventing ambulance providers from sending surprise bills to patients and as directing insurers to make payments to agencies rather than leaving unpaid balances for the individual. \"The purpose of this bill is to prevent surprise billing by emergency medical service agencies for ground ambulance services,\" said the Senator from Ohio on the floor.

The Senate approved the bill unanimously on recorded vote (34‑0 reported), and later the sponsor moved to make the bill effective Jan. 1, 2026; the Senate voted to set that effective date and the presiding officer declared the bill effective 01/01/2026.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate in Session Mar 31, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Lawmakers passed a measure to limit surprise billing by out‑of‑network ground ambulance services, require insurers to pay agencies directly within 30 days on clean claims, and exempt Medicaid and PEIA from the bill's protections.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature WV, West Virginia","taxId",77714,"location","West Virginia","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6097778,"Senate raises penalties for assault on athletic officials, citing rise in threats at youth events",224,1946000,2170000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2826466-34661c9b932e8d097f73e09a22b712d7&start=1946&end=2170","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2826466-34661c9b932e8d097f73e09a22b712d7/thumbnail_1946000.jpg","/articles/6097778/West-Virginia/Senate-raises-penalties-for-assault-on-athletic-officials-citing-rise-in-threats-at-youth-events","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6097778-f0d905422f4ca64b080ee0c0f2b96bc3/orig.mp4?Expires=1774930838&Signature=Ppd9vB-OnregVzB4rWvrY3CeOoFichbn67El2uFTnN2Fd~VSRNdDCPl11IP6gHMqcnIsp-JNBufQhNzGXF7A3PrzpjGeDQFnbfxPsP7XgSo5sDyLM1cAQlhpnkt4iJQ1P4VHBilJQKAOvIM2KB1uBMsPplvxxM7C6HMOuouKmjErQR8n1Kcm~VPwbZfvJ~NvuYSFbE6O-2cy5gjit-PIOTzi5oxJe~gadlq7-QG-9hry~iCAkkEBXcTuO7a~XaCcdvt4iIiFtPPSpuuHYp4yDFvtR6e7Mal6iurAbAbfqNB3etWtb8nEQGKUTHDd5nf2FeWjFlioC4hj-z9kJteQ~Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Senate on March 29 approved a bill that increases penalties for assault and battery on athletic officials at organized sporting events and extends coverage to travel to and from those events.

The bill defines \"athletic official\" to include umpires, referees, coaches and other staff who enforce event rules and raises the monetary penalty and possible confinement: sponsors described raising the minimum fine from $500 to $1,000 and increasing the maximum fine and criminal consequences, with potential jail time of up to 12 months in addition to fines.

Supporters said the changes respond to growing incidents of spectator intimidation and attacks on officials at youth and amateur sports. \"These games that are played on courts and fields and tracks have become blood sport in certain respects,\" said the Junior Senator from the seventh, noting officials are being threatened and some states have had to cancel school athletic events because officials would not show up.

The Senator from Cabell, who had introduced the original bill, thanked the education committee for improving the measure and noted that unpaid or minimally compensated officials — \"I might get paid with a corn dog\" — deserve protection from aggressive parents and spectators.

The Senate recorded a roll call vote of 33 ayes and 1 nay and the presiding officer declared the bill passed. The clerk was directed to communicate action to the House.

","Lawmakers approved changes increasing fines and potential jail time for assault or battery on athletic officials at organized events and expanding coverage to travel to and from events.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6097783,"Senate rejects agritourism authority bill after floor disagreement over local control",675,6113000,6788000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2826466-34661c9b932e8d097f73e09a22b712d7&start=6113&end=6788","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2826466-34661c9b932e8d097f73e09a22b712d7/thumbnail_6113000.jpg","/articles/6097783/West-Virginia/Senate-rejects-agritourism-authority-bill-after-floor-disagreement-over-local-control","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6097783-ea1722b5f9e964b1ede637854ed3e83f/orig.mp4?Expires=1774930838&Signature=G4TgidOG9f7kEzaIWGbGljxyrx20NENfavZGftR1aIb2xxS3nV1lxrKKepSq-UQ8p2kZIlt5ib0OK2G1cTG3DgQ4nbCu26HihgQj~da7YWF8gBXLtZEQWVZUlWmmzWW0wxAZd0T-1eT6dc2Ij~~36bpI1Yve2H1fYxBzlYfiZdp74ttBA5CrQArFiXWI-BbbFdSbuzua1gFkfAJV87WF1lof1~Qr7fGizqGcQzau-uiwN-7C2Z-LhPFlhJdN6aKwnvbh7eE8vTyHk2QV0wvVrHtBl8V4FyKphMQlmakt2MLifCifpR7Y8cW4Cg1lXcD76c5nUbN6csSAptKTgu5Iog__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Senate on March 29 failed to advance a bill that would have prevented counties and municipalities from adopting ordinances or rules stricter than state law for agritourism activities.

The sponsor, the Senator from Jefferson, framed the bill as a tool to protect farms and grow agritourism — hayrides, pick‑your‑own events and other farm attractions — by ensuring uniform application of state agritourism laws. He told colleagues the measure mirrors language the Senate approved previously in another bill and said neighboring states with larger agritourism industries provide models for growth.

Opponents, including the Senator from the fourth and the Junior Senator from the fifteenth, said the measure encroaches on local control and grants the agriculture commissioner broad authority over what land can be used for agritourism. \"This gives the commissioner the ability to overrule any state agency or local government ordinance related to land deemed appropriate for agritourism,\" the Junior Senator from the fifteenth said.

Other senators asked whether the bill would override fire, building and health codes; the sponsor said it does not exempt agritourism operations from state health and safety law and that the language is similar to previous legislation. The floor recorded a roll call and the presiding officer declared the bill failed.

","A bill intended to protect agritourism businesses from stricter local regulation failed after senators debated whether the measure improperly expanded state authority over local land use and public‑health rules.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6097788,"Senate approves hospital transparency bill after amendment shifting reporting to Health Care Authority",915,4750000,5665000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2826466-34661c9b932e8d097f73e09a22b712d7&start=4750&end=5665","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2826466-34661c9b932e8d097f73e09a22b712d7/thumbnail_4750000.jpg","/articles/6097788/West-Virginia/Senate-approves-hospital-transparency-bill-after-amendment-shifting-reporting-to-Health-Care-Authority","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6097788-50a1277494cd68959707af575e863eb4/orig.mp4?Expires=1774930838&Signature=VnAA-4rNGvUz4rzNGDnwOS5tcPwO8tHw3dYOS-ujewPuNw29L9n62hhjqkmrrMduQ~NK0qJFJtttRINYjUpUewM5gsXiSnoCFbvmvMRZlbhN0KfXBuR-Grf9fEu91I42kCiNaXkgP5Ity-qy1Vmt6O4ZzZpSEtFcXq6UFNwPfphN43MFR2YsXPuNBhEaps2ZKskcln-miRIRiLF-RhNp2C371dkbs0RWQWYwXryk9i2w2YfLca1KCgGzkpsHVg1vhxVwWSvHRySYBiEncTojrFOqGbUL2B3JdkabzeSxvE1jI15saSUan8ze8OGO21FwwtFMBzN9vSeT4E1mLLGXjw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Senate approved legislation on March 29 that requires hospitals to publish additional price and financial information and to report specified data to the West Virginia Health Care Authority.

Senators adopted a strike‑and‑insert amendment on third reading that moved reporting responsibilities from the Insurance Commissioner to the Health Care Authority, removed a mandate for audited financial statements and instead required that components of required financial information be published on hospital websites and in the Health Care Authority's online archive.

The bill directs the Health Care Authority to collect cost and pricing information including facility fees, amounts paid to vendors and executive compensation and authorizes rulemaking for how those data will be reported and made available. Sponsors said the change reflects that the Health Care Authority already maintains an online archive and can publish the information without creating a new portal.

Supporters, including the Senator from Ohio, said transparency is essential to understand rising health care costs and the impact on state employees and retirees, noting recent premium increases for PEIA and others. \"We cannot lower health care costs for our constituents unless we know what the hospitals are charging,\" the Senator from Ohio said.

Opponents warned that raw data volume and frequent contract updates make the information difficult for lay users to parse; the Senior Senator from seventeenth said much of the required data already exists and that patients are typically better served by contacting insurers directly. Debate included concerns about fiscal cost and redundancy with federal reporting requirements under CMS.

The Senate approved the bill on a recorded vote, the clerk announcing 22 yeas and 12 nays; the presiding officer declared the bill passed. The bill includes fines for facilities that fail to submit required reports, according to sponsors.

","Lawmakers approved a hospital transparency measure requiring hospitals to publish price and compensation information and report to the West Virginia Health Care Authority; an amendment removed an auditing requirement and shifted reporting from the Insurance Commissioner to the Health Care Authority.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6097792,"Senate passes Fair Access to Financial Services Act after extended floor debate",2479,2266000,4745000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2826466-34661c9b932e8d097f73e09a22b712d7&start=2266&end=4745","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2826466-34661c9b932e8d097f73e09a22b712d7/thumbnail_2266000.jpg","/articles/6097792/West-Virginia/Senate-passes-Fair-Access-to-Financial-Services-Act-after-extended-floor-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6097792-997b2949d8c6079affaa7fcf45443a84/orig.mp4?Expires=1774930838&Signature=S0gzmev9NVPP2ghNe4vsNQLLJKjNqCDzudqDw9lP2kJkUpNAbxxk3H1knVO9zAbeJdWAIYs~m0gMYy~-zo9LYcUrGntvM222G1tKAglGauNbeKLPQ~wTAF7Csqt10sowfRXLUcM4PIYEOgCvvczeMhx9JoXbA0BPxCTYw9m274lk3OhGJDdt1J-9cZTpcjNs~h1cSDQ8P5S4-q2IgmNfEjNZkgE6tCwvbum5T2SNwBfyQ~BOJsC5pLEtz0cqctNN4jpoD0~u7F-iz8bKyzNThMrKCjC6NRu9-Dh053RHccYjf~VjcCCUmswSLJnTkogdjwLCwdVC~TDlVQAP1uaaRA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Senate on March 29 passed legislation titled the Fair Access to Financial Services Act that allows individuals to sue very large financial institutions that decline to provide accounts or services for reasons the law bars.

The bill applies only to financial institutions with $100,000,000,000 or more in total assets and creates a private cause of action capped at \"actual damages or $10,000, whichever is greater,\" with treble damages (three times actual damages) if intentional harm is proven, a two-year statute of limitations and a mechanism for the institution to recover fees and costs if a court finds a suit is frivolous.

Supporters said the bill is a targeted response to so‑called \"debanking\" of ordinary people and organizations. \"If it can happen to them, it can happen to any of us,\" said the Senator from Ohio in floor remarks describing high‑profile debanking cases. Several senators recounted constituents who they said lost access to accounts and the downstream harms to credit, housing and everyday life.

Opponents warned the bill will invite litigation and harm the state's business climate. \"This is an easy sue‑and‑settle bill,\" said the Senior Senator from the fourth, arguing banks would face a flood of claims and higher insurance costs. Other senators pressed on whether the bill imposes a fee‑shifting or \"loser‑pays\" regime and how courts would determine attorney fees.

Floor debate also clarified several provisions: the measure exempts community banks and applies only to institutions meeting the $100 billion asset threshold; it contains a provision allowing a financial institution to recover reasonable attorney fees and costs if the court finds a frivolous claim by \"clear and convincing\" evidence; and it sets a two‑year statute of limitations for private suits. Supporters pointed to a civil remedy rather than criminal penalties and emphasized limits on damages to avoid outsized judgments.

The Senate approved the bill by voice and then by recorded vote; the clerk reported 25 yeas and 9 nays, and the presiding officer declared the bill passed. Senators debating the bill repeatedly referenced federal examples and the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) in committee discussion about fee‑shifting and remedies.

The measure will now be communicated to the House for its action.

","The West Virginia Senate passed legislation creating a private cause of action for people who say they were denied banking services for protected characteristics; the bill applies to very large financial institutions and includes caps on damages and a remedy for frivolous suits.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

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Senate raises penalties for assault on athletic officials, citing rise in threats at youth events

Senate rejects agritourism authority bill after floor disagreement over local control

Senate approves hospital transparency bill after amendment shifting reporting to Health Care Authority

Senate passes Fair Access to Financial Services Act after extended floor debate