WV SB648

Prohibits state courts and administrative hearing officers from deferring to a state agency's interpretation of statutes, regulations, or sub-regulatory documents, requiring de novo (independent) interpretation instead

Requires courts and hearing officers to resolve any remaining ambiguity in statutes or regulations in favor of interpretations that limit agency power and maximize individual liberty

Effectively codifies principles similar to the federal "Loper Bright" decision that overturned Chevron deference, applying them to West Virginia state agencies

Applies to all actions brought by or against state agencies after customary tools of statutory interpretation have been applied