Senate approves several bills on education, voter rolls and school absences; other measures advanced

The West Virginia Senate on March 5, 2025, approved several bills affecting education, elections and student attendance and advanced a series of other measures to later committee or reading. Major votes included changes to county board member training and compensation, an expedited process to identify inactive voters on registration rolls, and a change to excused absences that includes 4‑H/FFA participation and up to five college visits.

Why it matters: The votes set statutory expectations for local board training and compensation, alter the window used to mark voters inactive for potential removal, and update school attendance policy to recognize extracurricular and college‑visit activities. Several measures will now move to the House or next reading, and one passed measure will take effect on passage when two‑thirds of elected senators voted in favor.

The key outcomes

- County board member training and compensation: The chamber passed an engrossed committee substitute that (among other provisions) requires makeup orientation within 30 days for board members who miss initial orientation, raises the annual required…