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West Virginia Senate concurs in multiple House amendments, adopts memorial resolutions and advances bills
Summary
On March 5, 2026 the West Virginia Senate handled a packed floor calendar: it concurred in several House amendments and passed multiple bills by recorded votes, adopted two honorary resolutions (Girl Scouts Day and Mingo County Day), and advanced several committee substitutes to further consideration.
The West Virginia Senate met March 5, 2026, and moved through a broad slate of routine legislative business, including concurrence in House amendments, recorded roll-call votes on several bills and adoption of two ceremonial resolutions.
Senator from Lewis, speaking for the majority, moved that the Senate concur in the House amendments to Senate Bill 84, which would limit law-enforcement placement of surveillance cameras on private property. Senator from Lewis said the House made three changes: "The first change clarifies cameras not to be installed on private lands that are gathering information or evidence of criminal activity, without a valid search warrant. The second change clarifies law enforcement officers may install the camera where they have lawful right to be. And the third change redefines law enforcement officer to match definition already in code." The Senate approved the concurrence by machine vote, recorded as 34 yays, 0 nays, 0 absent; the presiding officer declared the amendment adopted and the bill passed.
The Senate also concurred in a House amendment to Senate Bill 659, which clarifies that manufactured homes may be used as accessory dwelling units provided they meet applicable zoning, building codes and are constructed on permanent foundations. Senator from Lewis urged adoption and the motion passed on the floor by a recorded vote of 34 yays, 0 nays, 0 absent.
On House Bill 4433 (addressing human smuggling and trafficking), Senator from Lewis described a House amendment that exempts persons acting within the scope of employment and following state and federal law from criminal liability for human smuggling. That motion carried on a recorded vote of 32 yeas and 2 nays; the presiding officer declared the bill passed.
Beyond those recorded votes, the Senate received and referred numerous House messages and committee substitutes to the appropriate Senate committees. Committee chairs reported recommendations on a wide set of supplemental appropriations and policy bills affecting commerce, homeland security, human services and other areas; several bills were read for the first or second time and advanced to the next stage of consideration.
The chamber adopted two honorary resolutions without substantive policy effect. Senate Resolution 58 designates March 6, 2026, as Girl Scouts Day at the legislature; the senator from Jefferson noted that "2026 marks the 100 and fourteenth anniversary of the Girl Scouts of the United States of America" and urged adoption. The Senate adopted the resolution by voice vote.
Senate Resolution 59 designating March 6 as Mingo County Day drew a lengthier floor statement from the senior senator from the sixth, who praised the county's mining heritage and economic contributions, saying, "Mingo County has a special place in our state's history." The Senate adopted that resolution by recorded vote, 33 yays, 0 nays, 1 absent.
The session closed after committee meeting announcements and scheduling for the coming week; members adjourned until 11 a.m. Monday. Several bills advanced with committee amendments or were carried over on the calendar for further consideration, and the clerk will communicate the Senate actions to the House as required.
Next steps: bills that were passed or concurred in will be transmitted to the House (or to enrolled status) and several measures were referred to Senate committees (finance, judiciary, government organization) for additional work before a final Senate vote or reconciliation.
