West Virginia 2026 Session Status: Enacted 1 R cosponsors

SB 997 — Allowing certain hospital staff members to begin withdrawing from retirement benefits in certain circumstances

Last action — Chapter 255, Acts, Regular Session, 2026

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed Senate
  4. ✓
    Passed House of Delegates
  5. ✓
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced February 19, 2026. Enacted.

Odds of enactment

High chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a high chance of becoming law.

Upgrade to see the exact probability and what's driving it.

A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.

Prognosis

Likely to advance 74% · moderate confidence

  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 2 sponsors

    1 primary, 1 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (1 R).

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 4 recorded votes so far.

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

In plain language

The bill allows some hospital staff to withdraw retirement benefits under specific conditions.

This bill permits certain hospital employees to access their retirement benefits early in defined situations. It aims to provide more flexibility for those in the healthcare sector.

What this means for you
  • Workers: If you work in a hospital, you may have the option to withdraw your retirement benefits under certain conditions.

Summary

Allowing certain hospital staff members to begin withdrawing from retirement benefits in certain circumstances

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

34 added · 15 removed

Plain-language change summary

The amended version of Bill SB 997 now includes a section that clarifies when certain Tier 1 employees can receive their retirement benefits before the age of 60, especially if they have unused sick leave. This change is significant because it allows these employees to use their accumulated sick leave to gain extra retirement service credit, which can potentially lead to earlier access to health insurance coverage in retirement. Overall, this amendment is intended to provide more flexibility and support for public employees planning for retirement.

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WEST VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 997 B YSENATORSS MITH(MR.
WEST VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION Enrolled Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 997 By Senators Smith (Mr.
RESIDEN),ANDQ UEEN [Reported February 23, 2026, from the Committee on Pensions] CS for SB 997 A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding a new section, designated §5-10-52a, relating to the Public Employees Retirement Act;
President), and Queen [Passed March 14, 2026;
in effect from passage] Enr CS for SB 997 AN ACT to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding a new section, designated §5-10-52a, relating to the Public Employees Retirement Act;
Provided, however, That for purposes of coverage in retirement CS for SB 997 by the Public Employees Insurance Agency, the individuals described in this section shall be considered to have retired directly from a participating public employer upon receiving their retirement benefit annuity.
Provided, however, That for purposes of coverage in retirement Enr CS for SB 997 by the Public Employees Insurance Agency, the individuals described in this section shall be considered to have retired directly from a participating public employer upon receiving their retirement benefit annuity.
Enr CS for SB 997 The Clerk of the Senate and the Clerk of the House of Delegates hereby certify that the foregoing bill is correctly enrolled.
...............................................................
Clerk of the Senate ...............................................................
Clerk of the House of Delegates Originated in the Senate.
In effect from passage.
...............................................................
President of the Senate ...............................................................
Speaker of the House of Delegates __________ The within is ................................................
this the...........................................
Day of ..........................................................................................................., 2026.
.............................................................
Governor 3
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Action History

  1. Filed for introduction

  2. To Pensions

  3. Introduced in Senate

  4. To Pensions

  5. Committee substitute reported

  6. On 1st reading

  7. Read 1st time

  8. On 2nd reading

  9. Read 2nd time

  10. On 3rd reading

  11. Read 3rd time

  12. Passed Senate (Roll No. 245)

  13. Effective from passage (Roll No. 246)

  14. Ordered to House

  15. House received Senate message

  16. Introduced in House

  17. To Finance

  18. To House Finance

  19. Do pass

  20. Immediate consideration

  21. Read 1st time

  22. On 2nd reading, Special Calendar

  23. Postponed on 2nd reading, Special Calendar, until 3/12/2026

  24. Read 2nd time

  25. On 3rd reading, Special Calendar

  26. On 3rd reading, Special Calendar

  27. Read 3rd time

  28. Passed House (Roll No. 616)

  29. Effective from passage (Roll No. 617)

  30. Communicated to Senate

  31. Completed legislative action

  32. House Message received

  33. To Governor 3/18/2026

  34. To Governor 3/18/2026 - Senate Journal

  35. Approved by Governor 4/1/2026

  36. Approved by Governor 4/1/2026 - Senate Journal

  37. Approved by Governor 4/1/2026 - House Journal

  38. Chapter 255, Acts, Regular Session, 2026

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

Export CSV (upgrade) →

1 sponsors · 1 co-sponsors · 150 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (1)

  • Queen

Not signed on (150)

150 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 150 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

PASSAGE

Passed 95 Yea · 0 Nay · 4 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 84004
Democrat 9000
Unaffiliated 2000
Total 95004
% of votes cast 96%0%0%4%
How each member voted (99)
Member Party Vote
Flanigan — Yea
Linville — Yea
Anitra Hamilton Democrat Yea
Evan Hansen Democrat Yea
Hollis Lewis Democrat Yea
John Williams Democrat Yea
Kayla Young Democrat Yea
Mike Pushkin Democrat Yea
Rick Garcia Democrat Yea
Sean Hornbuckle Democrat Yea
Shawn Fluharty Democrat Yea
Adam Burkhammer Republican Yea
Adam Vance Republican Yea
Andy Shamblin Republican Yea
Betsy Kelly Republican Yea
Bill Bell Republican Yea
Bill Ridenour Republican Yea
Bob Fehrenbacher Republican Yea
Bryan Smith Republican Not Voting
Bryan Ward Republican Yea
Carl "Bill" Roop Republican Yea
Carl Martin Republican Yea
Charles Sheedy Republican Yea
Chris Phillips Republican Yea
Christopher W. Toney Republican Yea
Chuck Horst Republican Yea
Clay Riley Republican Yea
D. Rolland Jennings Republican Yea
Dana Ferrell Republican Yea
Dave Foggin Republican Yea
David Cannon Republican Yea
David Green Republican Yea
David McCormick Republican Yea
Dean Jeffries Republican Yea
Doug Smith Republican Not Voting
Elias Coop-Gonzalez Republican Yea
Eric Brooks Republican Yea
Erica Moore Republican Yea
Evan Worrell Republican Yea
Gary G. Howell Republican Yea
Geno Chiarelli Republican Yea
George Miller Republican Yea
George Street Republican Yea
Gregory A. Watt Republican Yea
Guy Ward Republican Yea
Henry Dillon Republican Yea
Ian T. Masters Republican Yea
James Robert "JB" Akers II Republican Yea
Jarred Cannon Republican Yea
Jeff Campbell Republican Yea
Jeff Eldridge Republican Yea
Jeffrey Stephens Republican Yea
Jim Butler Republican Yea
Jimmy Willis Republican Yea
Joe Ellington Republican Yea
Joe Funkhouser Republican Yea
Joe Parsons Republican Yea
Joe Statler Republican Yea
John Jordan Republican Yea
John Paul Hott Republican Yea
Jonathan Kyle Republican Yea
Jonathan Pinson Republican Yea
Jordan Bridges Republican Yea
Jordan Maynor Republican Yea
Josh Holstein Republican Yea
Kathie Hess Crouse Republican Yea
Keith Marple Republican Yea
Laura Kimble Republican Yea
Lisa White Republican Yea
Lori Dittman Republican Yea
Margitta Mazzocchi Republican Yea
Mark Dean Republican Yea
Mark Zatezalo Republican Yea
Marshall W. Clay Republican Yea
Marty Gearheart Republican Yea
Matthew Rohrbach Republican Yea
Michael Amos Republican Yea
Michael Hite Republican Yea
Michael Hornby Republican Yea
Mickey Petitto Republican Not Voting
Pat McGeehan Republican Yea
Patrick Lucas Republican Yea
Phil Mallow Republican Yea
Ray Canterbury Republican Yea
Rick Hillenbrand Republican Yea
Roger Hanshaw Republican Yea
Roy Cooper Republican Yea
Ryan Browning Republican Yea
S. Chris Anders Republican Yea
Sarah Drennan Republican Not Voting
Scot C. Heckert Republican Yea
Stanley Adkins Republican Yea
Tresa Howell Republican Yea
Tristan Leavitt Republican Yea
Vacant1 Republican Yea
Vernon Criss Republican Yea
Walter Hall Republican Yea
Wayne Clark Republican Yea
William Anderson Republican Yea

Official roll call →

EFFECT FROM PASSAGE

Passed 95 Yea · 0 Nay · 4 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 84004
Democrat 9000
Unaffiliated 2000
Total 95004
% of votes cast 96%0%0%4%
How each member voted (99)
Member Party Vote
Flanigan — Yea
Linville — Yea
Anitra Hamilton Democrat Yea
Evan Hansen Democrat Yea
Hollis Lewis Democrat Yea
John Williams Democrat Yea
Kayla Young Democrat Yea
Mike Pushkin Democrat Yea
Rick Garcia Democrat Yea
Sean Hornbuckle Democrat Yea
Shawn Fluharty Democrat Yea
Adam Burkhammer Republican Yea
Adam Vance Republican Yea
Andy Shamblin Republican Yea
Betsy Kelly Republican Yea
Bill Bell Republican Yea
Bill Ridenour Republican Yea
Bob Fehrenbacher Republican Yea
Bryan Smith Republican Not Voting
Bryan Ward Republican Yea
Carl "Bill" Roop Republican Yea
Carl Martin Republican Yea
Charles Sheedy Republican Yea
Chris Phillips Republican Yea
Christopher W. Toney Republican Yea
Chuck Horst Republican Yea
Clay Riley Republican Yea
D. Rolland Jennings Republican Yea
Dana Ferrell Republican Yea
Dave Foggin Republican Yea
David Cannon Republican Yea
David Green Republican Yea
David McCormick Republican Yea
Dean Jeffries Republican Yea
Doug Smith Republican Not Voting
Elias Coop-Gonzalez Republican Yea
Eric Brooks Republican Yea
Erica Moore Republican Yea
Evan Worrell Republican Yea
Gary G. Howell Republican Yea
Geno Chiarelli Republican Yea
George Miller Republican Yea
George Street Republican Yea
Gregory A. Watt Republican Yea
Guy Ward Republican Yea
Henry Dillon Republican Yea
Ian T. Masters Republican Yea
James Robert "JB" Akers II Republican Yea
Jarred Cannon Republican Yea
Jeff Campbell Republican Yea
Jeff Eldridge Republican Yea
Jeffrey Stephens Republican Yea
Jim Butler Republican Yea
Jimmy Willis Republican Yea
Joe Ellington Republican Yea
Joe Funkhouser Republican Yea
Joe Parsons Republican Yea
Joe Statler Republican Yea
John Jordan Republican Yea
John Paul Hott Republican Yea
Jonathan Kyle Republican Yea
Jonathan Pinson Republican Yea
Jordan Bridges Republican Yea
Jordan Maynor Republican Yea
Josh Holstein Republican Yea
Kathie Hess Crouse Republican Yea
Keith Marple Republican Yea
Laura Kimble Republican Yea
Lisa White Republican Yea
Lori Dittman Republican Yea
Margitta Mazzocchi Republican Yea
Mark Dean Republican Yea
Mark Zatezalo Republican Yea
Marshall W. Clay Republican Yea
Marty Gearheart Republican Yea
Matthew Rohrbach Republican Yea
Michael Amos Republican Yea
Michael Hite Republican Yea
Michael Hornby Republican Yea
Mickey Petitto Republican Not Voting
Pat McGeehan Republican Yea
Patrick Lucas Republican Yea
Phil Mallow Republican Yea
Ray Canterbury Republican Yea
Rick Hillenbrand Republican Yea
Roger Hanshaw Republican Yea
Roy Cooper Republican Yea
Ryan Browning Republican Yea
S. Chris Anders Republican Yea
Sarah Drennan Republican Not Voting
Scot C. Heckert Republican Yea
Stanley Adkins Republican Yea
Tresa Howell Republican Yea
Tristan Leavitt Republican Yea
Vacant1 Republican Yea
Vernon Criss Republican Yea
Walter Hall Republican Yea
Wayne Clark Republican Yea
William Anderson Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Subjects

healthcare labor
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

What does SB 997 do?
Allowing certain hospital staff members to begin withdrawing from retirement benefits in certain circumstances
Who sponsors SB 997?
SB 997 is sponsored by Queen and Randy E. Smith (Republican).
What is the current status of SB 997?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced February 19, 2026. Enacted.
Where can I track SB 997?
Track SB 997 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

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