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WV HB4985

Bill

Official Source

Status

Introduced

1/30/2026

Primary Sponsor

Jimmy Willis

Click for details

Origin

House of Delegates

2026 Regular Session

AI Summary

  • Preempts local governments from regulating the extraction of strategic and critical minerals and materials outside municipal or urban areas, reserving regulatory authority to state and federal governments
  • Defines strategic and critical resources to include over 60 minerals and elements (including lithium, uranium, rare earth elements, and cobalt) plus any materials designated on federal defense and energy critical materials lists
  • Prohibits foreign adversaries or entities on federal restricted commerce lists from acquiring, leasing, or holding ownership interests in land used for extracting strategic and critical resources in West Virginia
  • Preserves applicability of federal environmental, natural resource, and public health laws, as well as state statutes and generally applicable local requirements like business licenses and property taxes
  • Authorizes the department to propose rules for legislative approval to implement the act

Legislative Description

Relating to strategic and critical resources, state preemption of local regulation, and foreign ownership and restricted commerce entities

Energy

Last Action

To House Energy and Public Works

1/30/2026

Committee Referrals

Energy and Public Works1/30/2026

Full Bill Text

No bill text available