🧾 Public Policy: What’s Happening in West Virginia

The Mountain State is stepping into the digital era with legislative momentum grounded in blockchain, cryptocurrency, and artificial intelligence. Here's what’s currently moving through the State Capitol:

💰 Inflation Protection Act of 2025 (SB 465)

  • Introduced: February 14, 2025, by State Senator Chris Rose

  • Purpose: Authorizes the West Virginia Treasury to invest up to 10% of public funds in digital assets (with a threshold of US $750 billion market cap, currently only Bitcoin qualifies), stablecoins, or precious metals.

  • Custody & Operations: Investments may be held on-chain, via qualified custodians, or in exchange-traded products; the state may engage in staking or loaning assets if it does not increase financial risk.

This initiative positions West Virginia as part of a growing cohort of states embracing Bitcoin reserves as a hedge against inflation and potential central bank digital currencies (CBDCs).

🏗️ High-Impact Data Centers & Microgrids (HB 2014)

  • Passed: Spring 2025

  • Overview: Empowers designated “high-impact” data centers to bypass local zoning ordinances for microgrid deployment—supporting critical infrastructure development in rural counties.

While not directly crypto-related, this law lays critical groundwork for clean energy-powered data infrastructure, essential for supporting mining, DePIN deployments, and tech-enabled economic diversification.

🤖 AI Regulation & Task Forces

  • HB 3214 (2023): Launched the ROAD Pilot Program, leveraging AI to assess and optimize road maintenance statewide.

  • HB 5690 (2024): Created a state AI Task Force within the Office of Technology. The Task Force is tasked with defining AI, identifying public-sector use cases, drafting best practices, and recommending consumer and data protections.

  • HR 3 (2024): Established the AI Select Committee within the House of Delegates, charged with broader oversight of AI impacts in areas like government, labor, and education.

  • SB 198 (2025): Makes the creation, possession, or distribution of AI-generated child pornography a felony, closing a critical legal gap in West Virginia law. Attorney General J.B. McCuskey affirmed the state’s ability to regulate AI even amid potential federal restrictions.

🔍 Why It Matters for WVBA

     Legislative Area                          WVBA Relevance

     Digital Asset Investment                Evidence of public sector openness to blockchain and crypto-based financial innovation

     Data Center & Microgrid Law Enables rural tech infrastructure—critical for decentralizing energy and deploying DePIN

AI Planning & Regulation Lays the foundation for safe and equitable AI collaboration in West Virginia

AI Harm Mitigation (SB 198) Demonstrates WV’s proactive ethical stance on emerging AI risks

✅ WVBA’s Policy Alignment Strategy

  • Monitor bill progress and engage legislative allies

  • Educate the public and policymakers on Web3 tools and decentralized infrastructure

  • Advocate for smart legislation reflecting rural needs (e.g. energy sovereignty, digital inclusion)

  • Pilot technology projects aligned with existing frameworks—especially in counties with infrastructure momentum

🔭 Looking Ahead

Several bills are currently in committee—particularly the Inflation Protection Act awaiting review by West Virginia’s Senate Banking and Finance Committees. Action on AI policy is ongoing, with July 2025 as a key milestone for Task Force deliverables.

WVBA stands ready to help shape these conversations through research briefs, stakeholder engagement, and public education.

This page reflects legislative activity as of July 2025. WVBA will update this page as bills evolve or new laws are enacted.