CHARLESTON, WV (LOOTPRESS) — Delegate Josh Holstein (R–Boone) today announced the introduction of a series of bills for the 2026 Regular Session of the West Virginia Legislature aimed at protecting rural communities, strengthening public safety laws, expanding transportation access, and addressing long-standing issues related to litter, illegal dumping, and property neglect across the state.
The list of priority bills includes a coordinated set of bills designed to increase accountability, protect families, and improve quality of life particularly in rural areas of West Virginia.
“These bills are about common sense and accountability; two things West Virginians want to see their government pursue.” Holstein said. “It focuses on issues that my constituents have shared with me countless times over the past year such as protecting property owners, keeping our communities clean, improving access to transportation, and making sure the law reflects the seriousness of actions that put lives at risk.”
Holstein, who serves on the Judiciary and Energy Committees, has seen how these issues negatively impact West Virginians. The list of bills includes:
The West Virginia Rural Property Safety and Clean Land Act, which strengthens enforcement tools to address unsafe, abandoned, and neglected properties in rural areas, helping protect neighboring landowners, improve public safety, and preserve property values.
The West Virginia Rural Littering and Illegal Dumping Prevention Act, which increases penalties for illegal dumping, enhances enforcement authority, and improves cleanup coordination particularly in remote rural areas that are frequently targeted for unlawful waste disposal.
The West Virginia Rural Mobility and Transportation Access Act, which modernizes state law to allow innovative, locally driven transportation solutions for rural residents particularly seniors, workers, and individuals without reliable access to personal vehicles without placing the state in the transportation business.
HB4714 – The West Virginia Inmate Litter Cleanup and Rehabilitation Act, which expands supervised inmate work programs focused on roadside and public-land cleanup, providing meaningful rehabilitation opportunities while reducing litter and cleanup costs for taxpayers.
HB4085 – To Increase Penalties for Selling or Facilitating the Sale of Alcohol to a Minor, which strengthens consequences for adults who solicit, provide, or facilitate access to alcohol for underage individuals, reinforcing protections for West Virginia’s youth.
HB4712 – Increasing the Criminal Penalties for DUI Causing Death, which doubles the penalties for DUI causing death underscoring that reckless decisions carry serious and lasting consequences. After a series of cases of DUI’s causing death involving Boone County residents, this bill is more prudent than ever. This bill seeks to bring justice to several families and all of our communities.
Holstein emphasized that all the bills are fiscally responsible and are little to no cost to the taxpayers. Additionally, Delegate Holstein has submitted many additional bills this session that focus on a variety of issues and will be announced in the coming days.
The legislation has been introduced for consideration during the 2026 Regular Session. Delegate Holstein said he looks forward to working with fellow lawmakers, law enforcement, local officials, and community stakeholders to advance the proposals.
