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Governor Proposes Universal Licensing Bill

Feb 25, 2025 | Advocacy

Universal Licensing Initiative Announced

During his State of the State address, Governor Morrisey announced a universal licensing initiative aimed at ensuring that professionals such as contractors, electricians, and nurses licensed in another state can move to West Virginia and start working immediately.

The proposed bill states that “every board… in this chapter shall issue an occupational or professional license, registration, or certificate without examination in the discipline applied for.” The bill notably exempts the legal profession.

The WV Dental Association (WVDA) has reached out to the WV Board of Dentistry to formulate a response to the Governor’s proposal.

Dental Insurance Transparency Bill Introduced in the WV House of Delegates

House Bill 2690 Introduced

The WVDA’s bill to limit unfair and deceptive practices by dental insurance carriers was introduced as House Bill 2690 by the following Delegates:

  • Delegate Wayne Clark (R-Jefferson)
  • Delegate Bob Fehrenbacher (R-Wood)
  • Delegate Dean Jeffries (R-Kanawha)
  • Delegate Adam Burkhammer (R-Lewis)
  • Delegate Michael Hite (R-Berkeley)
  • Delegate Joe Ellington (R-Mercer)
  • Delegate Matt Rohrbach (R-Cabell)
  • Delegate Jarred Cannon (R-Putnam)

If you are from one of these counties, please take a moment to thank your Delegate for sponsoring our bill. You can send a thank you email to:

Senate Support and Next Steps

Thank you to everyone who reached out to the senators last week about the Senate version of the bill! We have support from:

  • Senator Jason Barrett (R-Berkeley/Jefferson)
  • Senator Anne Charnock (R-Kanawha)
  • Senator Vince Deeds (R-Greenbrier)
  • Senator Scott Fuller (R-Cabell/Wayne)
  • Senator Joey Garcia (Marion/Mon)
  • Senator Rollan Roberts (R-Raleigh/Fayette/Wyoming)
  • Senator Patricia Rucker (R-Jefferson)
  • Senator Laura Chapman (R-Hancock/Ohio/Brooke/Marshall)

These senators are members of the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee, where the bill has been assigned.

Next Step: A Committee Hearing

Our immediate goal is to convince Senator Mike Azinger (R-Wood), Chairman of the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee, to schedule a hearing on the bill. Senator Azinger was ill last week and unable to meet, but we hope to meet with him early next week.