SB648 is a bill in the West Virginia Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Strategic and Critical Resources Act.

What is the status of SB648?

Signed into law as of April 1, 2026. Latest action: Chapter 143, Acts, Regular Session, 2026 (June 25, 2026).

Morris, Robbie (R, 11), with 11 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for SB648?

On the West Virginia Legislature website: https://www.wvlegislature.gov/bill_status/Bills_history.cfm?input=648&year=2026&sessiontype=RS&btype=bill

West Virginia legislation · 2026 Regular Session

West Virginia SB648: Strategic and Critical Resources Act

Q: What does SB648 do?

In its own words: An act to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding a new article, designated §5B-13-1, §5B-13-2, §5B-13-3, §5B-13-4, §5B-13-5, and §5B-13-6, relating to promoting the development and availability of strategic and critical resources through uniform statewide regulation; creating the Strategic and Critical Resources Act; providing legislative findings and purpose; defining strategic and critical resources and other terms and phrases; providing for state preemption of certain local ordinances, laws, and regulations with defined exceptions including certain taxes, rates, charge.

Status: Signed into law, April 1, 2026

What the bill says

An act to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding a new article, designated §5B-13-1, §5B-13-2, §5B-13-3, §5B-13-4, §5B-13-5, and §5B-13-6, relating to promoting the development and availability of strategic and critical resources through uniform statewide regulation; creating the Strategic and Critical Resources Act; providing legislative findings and purpose; defining strategic and critical resources and other terms and phrases; providing for state preemption of certain local ordinances, laws, and regulations with defined exceptions including certain taxes, rates, charge.

From the enrolled text, March 14, 2026:

AN ACT to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding a new article, designated §5B-13-1, §5B-13-2, §5B-13-3, §5B-13-4, §5B-13-5, and §5B-13-6, relating to promoting the development and availability of strategic and critical resources through uniform statewide regulation; creating the Strategic and Critical Resources Act; providing legislative findings and purpose; defining strategic and critical resources and other terms and phrases; providing for state preemption of certain local ordinances, laws, and regulations with defined exceptions including certain taxes, rates, charges, and fees; clarifying the applicability of federal laws and regulations and state laws and rules, and requiring legislative rule making by the Office of Energy. ARTICLE 13. STRATEGIC AND CRITICAL RESOURCES. §5B-13-1. Short title. This article is and may be cited as the Strategic and Critical Resources Act. §5B-13-2. Legislative findings and purpose. (a) The Legislature finds that certain minerals and materials are essential to national security, the welfare of this state, energy reliability, critical infrastructure, and economic stability, and that their availability is vulnerable to supply disruptions. (b) The purpose of this article is (2) Reserve regulatory authority to the state and federal governments; and (3) Preempt local regulation, except as expressly provided. §5B-13-3. Definitions. As used in this "Strategic and critical resource" means any of the following items, to the extent intended to be or actually …

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West Virginia SB648: Strategic and Critical Resources Act

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