Action Alert: Strengthen Public Participation in WV
West Virginia’s House of Delegates is considering updates to its rules, and we expect them to be approved before the start of the session on February 11. While some changes — like ensuring each bill gets three full days of review in committee — help improve the process, other changes could limit public participation in decisions that affect all of us.
Right now, anyone can request a public hearing on any bill. The proposed rules remove that right and don’t guarantee clear notice or an opportunity for the public to speak before decisions are made.
Public participation is essential to protecting what we all care about — clean water, fresh air, public lands, and healthy communities. When we have a voice in the process, we can help shape policies that safeguard our environment and our future.
We’re calling for three simple improvements:
- Keep public hearings. Any citizen should be able to request a public hearing in committee with at least 48 hours’ notice.
- Provide advance notice. Committees and subcommittees should post their agendas at least 48 hours before considering a bill.
- Guarantee public input. Committees should set aside time for public comment during the three-day review.
These changes will help ensure that the House of Delegates remains the “People’s House,” where everyone has a voice in shaping the laws that impact our state.
Take action now to ask your Delegate to support public participation: https://wvrivers.salsalabs.org/houserules
For clean water and healthy lands,
West Virginia Rivers
