SB402Introduced in the Senate
Workforce Readiness and Opportunity Act
Introduced by Randy Smith, District 14
What does this bill do?
Plain-English breakdown
Writing a plain-English summary of this bill… this can take a few seconds the first time.
Official description
The purpose of this bill is all related to the Workforce Readiness and Opportunity Initiatives Act including by establishing the West Virginia Micro-Credential Program, expanding the apprenticeship training tax credit, allowing for independent contractors to have portable benefits which hiring parties can contribute to without altering the nature of the relationship, providing for tax treatment of portable benefits, and eliminating barriers to professional licensures for military trained applicants.
Where it stands
Chapter 293, Acts, Regular Session, 2026
June 25, 2026
How did lawmakers vote?
House of Delegates votes
1 recorded vote · each counted separately
Senate votes
2 recorded votes · each counted separately
SenateStage: Senate concurred in House amendments and passed bill (Roll No. 656) · March 14, 2026
34
Yes
0
No
0
Absent or Not Voting
34 senators recorded in this Senate vote. Colors show vote categories only, not whether a vote was good or bad.
See how each senator voted
| Senator | District | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Trenton Barnhart | 9 | Yes |
| Ryan Weld | 1 | Yes |
| Laura Wakim Chapman | 1 | Yes |
| Charles Clements | 2 | Yes |
| Chris Rose | 2 | Yes |
| Mike Azinger | 3 | Yes |
| Eric Tarr | 4 | Yes |
| Amy Nichole Grady | 4 | Yes |
| Mike Woelfel | 5 | Yes |
| Scott Fuller | 5 | Yes |
Bill history
Filed for introduction
To Workforce then Finance
Introduced in Senate
To Workforce
Committee substitute reported, but first to Finance
To Finance
Com. sub. for com. sub. reported
On 1st reading
Read 1st time
On 2nd reading
Read 2nd time
On 3rd reading
Read 3rd time
Passed Senate (Roll No. 209)
Ordered to House
House received Senate message
Introduced in House
To Finance
To House Finance
With amendment, do pass
Immediate consideration
Read 1st time
On 2nd reading, Special Calendar
Read 2nd time
Amendment reported by the Clerk
Committee amendment adopted (Voice vote)
On 3rd reading, Special Calendar
Read 3rd time
Passed House (Roll No. 389)
Title amendment adopted (Voice vote)
Communicated to Senate
House Message received
Senate concurred in House amendments and passed bill (Roll No. 656)
Communicated to House
Completed legislative action
To Governor 3/18/2026
To Governor 3/18/2026 - Senate Journal
Approved by Governor 4/1/2026
Approved by Governor 4/1/2026 - Senate Journal
Approved by Governor 4/1/2026 - House Journal
Chapter 293, Acts, Regular Session, 2026
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