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HB 4805WEST VIRGINIASession 2026State Billdead

Did Not Advance

West Virginia allows first responders to request approved environmental cleanup companies for motor vehicle crashes involving hazardous materials

Original title: Relating to environmental clean-up for motor vehicle crashes

Last action · January 26, 2026: To House Energy and Public WorksSponsor: Jonathan Pinson

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

Law

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What This Bill Proposed

First responders at a motor vehicle crash or environmental hazard scene may notify the to request a West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection-approved environmental cleanup company when hazardous materials are released. The Department of Environmental Protection must then ensure timely and satisfactory containment, cleanup, and .

Why it matters

Establishes a formal protocol for dispatching state-approved environmental remediation services following highway crashes involving hazardous spills, placing responsibility on state environmental regulators to oversee the cleanup process.

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 responders

First responders gain the authority to request approved environmental cleanup companies through public safety answering points during crashes involving hazardous materials.

Directly affected

West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection

The department is mandated to ensure timely and satisfactory containment, cleanup, and reclamation when an approved cleanup company is requested.

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 can request an environmental cleanup company under this bill?

Any first responder who arrives at the scene of a motor vehicle crash or environmental hazard involving hazardous materials.

What is the role of the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection?

The department must ensure that containment, cleanup, and take place in a timely and satisfactory manner following a request by a first responder.

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 House committee.

Procedural history

4 actions

Jan 26, 2026HouseCommittee
To House Energy and Public Works
Jan 26, 2026HouseIntroduced
Introduced in House
Jan 26, 2026HouseCommittee
To Energy and Public Works
Jan 26, 2026HouseIntroduced
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.

Connected Entities

West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection

OrganizationWest Virginia Department of Environmental Protection“State agency responsible for ensuring containment, cleanup, and reclamation.”Map →

Sources

Open source document

www.wvlegislature.gov

Analysis Score

0–100

Significance20
Lowered because this bill did not pass (its text scored 45)
Controversy10
Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
Entertainment5
Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
Buzz15
Current news / social attention level

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