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Read. Follow. Verify.West Virginia Senate Bill 776 increases Public Service Commission oversight of public service districts
Last action · February 5, 2026: To Government OrganizationSponsor: Mark Maynard
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What This Bill Proposed
West Virginia Senate Bill 776 expands the regulatory authority of the Public Service Commission over s, requiring mandatory s, annual financial transparency reports, continuing education for board members, and scheduled inspections. Public service districts failing to comply face fines, corrective action requirements, and potential management restructuring.
Local s face mandatory operational and financial reporting requirements, biennial independent audits, and potential management restructuring or fines by state regulators for non-compliance.
- The Public Service Commission of West Virginia regulates public utilities, motor carriers, and gas pipeline safety within the state. 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.
Public Service Districts
Public service districts must comply with enhanced oversight provisions, mandatory biennial audits, continuing education mandates, and financial transparency reporting.
Public Service Commission
The commission gains expanded regulatory authority, inspection powers, and the duty to establish a resource center and enforcement guidelines.
Utility customers
Customers receive utility services overseen by enhanced transparency, operational guidelines, and financial reporting standards.
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
What new requirements do public service districts have to follow under SB 776?
What penalties can districts face for non-compliance?
Who is required to take continuing education under the bill?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
This bill did not become law - Died at adjournment · in Senate committee.
Procedural history
4 actions- Feb 5, 2026SenateCommitteeTo Government Organization
- Feb 5, 2026SenateIntroducedIntroduced in Senate
- Feb 5, 2026SenateCommitteeTo Government Organization then Finance
- Feb 5, 2026SenateIntroducedFiled 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
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Expansion of State Regulatory Oversight
The legislation shifts operational accountability of local public service districts toward mandatory state-level auditing, continuing education, and inspection standards.
Connected Entities
Sources
www.wvlegislature.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance20Lowered because this bill did not pass (its text scored 75)
- Controversy40Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment10Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz25Current news / social attention level
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