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SB 911WEST VIRGINIASession 2026State Billdead
Did Not Advance

West Virginia Division of Economic Development Establishes First-Time Drive to Work Pilot Program

Original title: Creating First-Time Drive to Work Pilot Program

Last action · February 11, 2026: To WorkforceSponsor: Ben Queen

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓
Introduced
Committee
Floor Vote
Passed
Law

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What This Bill Proposed

Official description

Creating First-Time Drive to Work Pilot Program

Why it matters

Low-to-middle-income young workers starting out in the workforce gain direct state-backed financial aid and liability limits for vehicle purchases beginning July 1, 2026.

Background
  • The West Virginia Legislature holds regular sessions annually to consider proposed statutory changes and state appropriations. context

Who It Would Have Affected

Groups the bill's text would have affected, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

First-time vehicle buyers aged 18 to 30

Eligible individuals may receive down-payment grants, temporary insurance assistance, and loan guarantees to purchase a vehicle for employment transportation.

Directly affected

Licensed motor vehicle dealers

Dealers may coordinate with the executive director to implement the pilot program for eligible participants buying vehicles under $20,000.

Directly affected

Financial institutions

Financial institutions may coordinate with the division and participate in issuing loans backed by state loan guarantees up to $5,000.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible to apply for the First-time Drive to Work Pilot Program?
Applicants must be West Virginia residents between 18 and 30 years old, first-time vehicle purchasers with no prior vehicle financing or titling, employed or holding a written offer of employment within the state of at least 30 hours per week, and have a household income not exceeding 120 percent of the state median.
What is the maximum financial assistance a participant can receive?
The maximum total amount a participant may receive is $6,950, which includes a one-time down-payment grant up to $1,500, up to $450 in temporary insurance assistance ($75 per month for up to six months), and a of up to $5,000.
What are the rules regarding selling a vehicle purchased through the program?
Vehicles purchased under the pilot program cannot be sold or transferred for 24 months after the participant is accepted into the program, unless hardship circumstances are approved by the division.

What else do you want to know?

News Coverage

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Where This Stands

This bill did not become law - Died at adjournment · in Senate committee.

Procedural history

4 actions
  1. Feb 11, 2026SenateCommittee
    To Workforce
  2. Feb 11, 2026SenateIntroduced
    Introduced in Senate
  3. Feb 11, 2026SenateCommittee
    To Workforce then Finance
  4. Feb 11, 2026SenateIntroduced
    Filed for introduction

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

View official text →

Lobbying Activity

No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.

Full breakdown

Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.

Sponsors

Ben QueenSenateRepublicanPrimary sponsor

Discoveries

1 pattern noticed across the record

Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.

policy shift95% confidence

Direct state financial intervention for workforce transportation

The bill establishes direct financial mechanisms including down-payment grants and loan guarantees administered through the Division of Economic Development.

Division of Economic Development

Connected Entities

Joint Committee on Government and Finance, Ben Queen, Division of Economic Development
OrganizationJoint Committee on Government and Finance“Receives annual reports from the executive director”Map →
PersonBen Queen“Introduced Senate Bill 911”Map →
OrganizationDivision of Economic Development“Administers the First-time Drive to Work Pilot Program”Map →

Sources

Open source document

www.wvlegislature.gov

Analysis Score

0–100
  • Significance20
    Lowered because this bill did not pass (its text scored 60)
  • Controversy25
    Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
  • Entertainment5
    Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
  • Buzz30
    Current news / social attention level

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