April 2025 Newsletter

2025 West Virginia Legislative Session Recap

The 2025 Regular Session of the West Virginia Legislature adjourned on April 12, capping off an intense 60 days of legislative action. Over 2,400 bills were introduced, with 249 passing both chambers and advancing to Governor Patrick Morrisey’s desk for signature.

Legislative Highlights

This year's session brought sweeping changes in several key areas:

• DEI Programs Banned: Senate Bill 474 prohibits diversity, equity, and inclusion programs across state agencies and educational institutions.
• Biological Definitions in Law: Senate Bill 456 now defines "male" and "female" based strictly on biological sex at birth, impacting facility access policies.
• Historic Budget Approval: Legislators passed a $5.3 billion General Revenue Budget, with significant supplemental allocations for economic development and infrastructure.
• New Microgrid Initiatives: House Bill 2014 will create opportunities for microgrid development, using both fossil and renewable resources to attract new industries.

While Governor Morrisey was able to move several key items from his agenda, including the DEI ban, he faced headwinds on others like expanding vaccine exemptions. Despite a Republican supermajority, intraparty tensions on budget and policy approaches were visible throughout the session.

How Did the Big I Do This Session?

This will go down as one of the hardest-fought sessions in our Association’s history, and we accomplished a lot by working together.

We are thrilled to report a major defensive win with the defeat of HB 2015, which would have extended the moratorium on BRIM indefinitely. This was a tough, contentious battle, and it was the persistence of our members—your calls, emails, and presence at the Capitol—along with the tireless advocacy of our lobbyist Daniel Hall that turned the tide. You showed up, and it mattered. As a reminder, SB 875 relating to the Board of Risk Management passed in the 2024 Legislative Session, which instituted a moratorium on new or additional property or liability coverage for certain entities. This moratorium expires on July 1, 2025.

We had a huge victory with the passage of HB 3513, which establishes standards of liability and insurance requirements in certain civil actions.  This legislation provides clear standards for when a licensee (such as a private club) can be held liable in civil cases involving alcohol-related injuries or damages. It protects businesses from being unfairly sued when they’ve followed the law and taken reasonable precautions (such as checking IDs and not serving visibly intoxicated patrons). It also provides accountability, providing that businesses remain liable in cases where alcohol is knowingly served to minors or clearly intoxicated individuals.

It’s a true game-changer for our industry—and a shining example of what focused, strategic advocacy can accomplish. A special thank you goes to Big I President Suzette Raines Ashley and Young Agents Chair Brady Campbell for their early work getting this legislation drafted and laying the groundwork for its success. And once again, none of this would have been possible without Daniel Hall’s extraordinary efforts at the Capitol.

Other Key Bills Monitored

In addition to our top legislative priorities, the association closely monitored legislation that could have impacted the insurance industry in West Virginia. While these bills did not pass this session, they reflect ongoing policy discussions that we will continue to engage with. A full list of legislation we monitored is available here.

Big I WV Hits Capitol Hill

Last week, our Big I Board members traveled to Washington, D.C. for the Big I Legislative Conference. We had a great time connecting with lawmakers—including Senator Jim Justice, Senator Shelley Moore Capito, Congresswoman Carol Miller, and Congressman Riley Moore—to share the key issues impacting independent agents in West Virginia. It was a productive and memorable trip filled with advocacy, collaboration, and plenty of fellowship along the way!

Transportation chief says national report points toward more work needed on West Virginia highways, bridges

The work to improve West Virginia roadways appears to be an ongoing battle that state leaders hope to try and tackle this year.

March revenue collections bode well for WV financial outlook

Revenue numbers are in from the month of March, and they show the state’s revenue collections came in at $439.5 million, nearly $39.4 million above the monthly estimate.

West Virginia is now $101 million dollars ahead of estimate nine months into the fiscal year.

State of the Association: ‘When We Collaborate, We Succeed’

During the General Session Breakfast at the Big “I" Legislative Conference, Todd Jackson, Big “I" chairman, cited solid financials, a debt-free balance sheet, a handful of new initiatives and a commitment to collaboration to declare that the state of the association is strong.

Georgia Cracks Down on Legal System Abuse with Comprehensive Reforms

On Monday, Georgia Govenor Brian Kemp signed into law a comprehensive package of legal reform measures designed to restore balance and fairness to the state's troubled civil justice system. The governor's signature was the final step in a historic and often combative multiyear effort. 

AN Radio: Powering Growth and Pushing for Change with Michelle O'Connor

On this episode of Agency Nation Radio, we meet Michelle O'Connor, president of O'Connor Insurance Associates in Charlotte, North Carolina.