West Virginia Senate adopts package of bills on taxes, public services, retirements and teledentistry

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Senate on March 20, 2025 approved a group of bills the chamber described as addressing tax payments, municipal fire-fee protests, delinquent tax sales, retirement benefits for certain law-enforcement retirees, teledentistry practice rules and unemployment eligibility tied to drug testing.

The measures passed by recorded roll-call votes during the regular floor session and were sent to the House where required. Several bills were advanced with unanimous or near‑unanimous support; one bill passed on a divided vote.

SB 75 — Reverse 2014 net terminal income retention: The Senate passed Engrossed Senate Bill 75 on third reading by a roll-call vote of 25 yays and 9 nays. The Senate journal states the bill would reverse a prior 2014 change affecting a 10% distribution for net terminal income. The clerk prepared the machine, and after votes were tallied the president declared the bill passed.

SB 76 — Natural Resources Police retirement multiplier: The chamber approved Senate Bill 76, which raises the retirement benefit multiplier for members of the Natural Resources Police Officers Retirement System from 2.5% to 2.75% for members who retire on or after July 1, 2028. The bill also directs the Division of Natural Resources to contribute an additional $850,000 above the actuarially required amount each year for the next five fiscal years toward the amortized increase in unfunded accrued actuarial liability. The vote was 34 yays, 0 nays. (Senator from the Sixteenth explained the multiplier change on the floor and urged passage.)

SB 601 — Municipality fire-service fees and county protest rights: The Senate passed the committee substitute for Senate Bill 601 (relating to fees and charges for municipality-provided fire services) by a vote of 33 ayes and 1 nay. The bill, as explained on the floor, amends two sections of state code to allow county residents who would be charged a municipal fire fee to…