WV SB823

Transfers investigation authority and civil penalty enforcement for industrial facility emergency events and well/pipeline operator emergency incidents from the Division of Emergency Management to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)

Maintains the 15-minute reporting requirement to the Mine and Industrial Accident Emergency Operations Center or local 9-1-1 for industrial facilities experiencing emergency events (explosions, uncontained fires, hazardous substance releases, serious injuries, or deaths)

Authorizes civil penalties up to $100,000 for industrial facilities failing to comply with emergency reporting requirements, with the DEP Secretary now responsible for imposing and collecting penalties

Establishes civil penalties between $2,500 and $50,000 for pipeline and well operators who fail to report incidents within 15 minutes, with waivers available for circumstances beyond operator control

Directs all collected civil penalties to be deposited into the Hazardous Waste Emergency Response Fund, with the law taking effect June 29, 2025 (90 days from passage on March 31, 2025)