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WV SB70: Protecting state and local government systems and data from foreign entities

Dead/Failed West Virginia · 2026 session

Last verified Oct 10, 2026 · official bill text

SB70 · where it stands

This bill did not become law (dead/failed) · last action Feb 6, 2026.

What do these statuses mean?
Introduced
Filed in the legislature; may be waiting for a committee hearing.
Passed a chamber
Approved by one or both chambers; awaiting further action.
Enacted
Signed into law, or became law without a signature or over a veto.
Effective date
The date the law says it takes effect. Once it has passed, the page shows "Effective" and the date. A court order can still block a law; if we know of one, the summary says so.
Dead / vetoed
Vetoed, failed, or the session ended without action.

In one paragraph

West Virginia's SB 70 (2026 regular session) would have created the Data Protection Act (new W. Va. Code art. 5-34). State agency officials, employees and contractors would have had to block, on state-owned or state-leased internet-capable devices, social media platforms owned by entities in a foreign country of concern, and could not use applications, software or AI algorithms owned by entities located in such a country. Senate Government Organization reported it do pass on February 6, 2026 and sent it to Judiciary, where it died when the session ended March 14, 2026.

Plain-English summary, written with AI assistance. The official text controls.

What it means for business

None: the bill did not pass. It would have barred state agency personnel and contractors from using foreign-adversary-owned software and AI algorithms and social media.

Key provisions

  1. 'Foreign country of concern' means foreign adversaries designated in 15 C.F.R. 791.4; 'state agency' is any body created by the constitution or by law (5-34-1)
  2. On state-owned or state-leased internet-capable devices, officials, employees and contractors would have had to block downloading or using, and accessing the website of, social media platforms owned by an entity in a foreign country of concern (5-34-2(a))
  3. Officials, employees and contractors would have been barred from using applications, software and artificial intelligence algorithms owned by an entity located in a foreign country of concern, not limited to state devices (5-34-2(b))
  4. Law enforcement officers acting for law enforcement purposes are exempt; a written waiver from the Secretary of State covers what is needed to perform duties
  5. No penalties or effective date appear in the text
  6. Introduced January 14, 2026; Senate Government Organization reported it do pass, but first to Judiciary, February 6, 2026; died at the end of the 2026 session. A similar 2025 bill, SB 694, also died

Latest legislative action

Feb 6, 2026. To Judiciary; died when the West Virginia Legislature's 2026 regular session ended March 14, 2026

Sponsors

NameRoleDistrict
R Sponsor SD-016
R Sponsor SD-015

Topics and industries

Related topics

AI in Government

Affected industries

GovernmentTechnology

This page is general information, not legal advice. Summaries are AI-assisted and may contain errors; read the statute for the controlling text and talk to a lawyer about your situation. Full disclaimer · Report an error

Related AI laws in West Virginia

All West Virginia bills →
HB3187 Relating to the West Virginia Task Force on Artificial Intelligence HB5690 Creating a West Virginia Task Force on Artificial Intelligence HR3 Creating a Select Committee on Artificial Intelligence HCR4 Requesting the Joint Committee on Technology & Infrastructure to establish a Gen SB694 Protecting state and local government systems and data from foreign entities HB5490 To create an AI Task Force

Same topic in other states

Montana SB397 Generally revise laws related to privacy and facial recognition technology Utah HB444 Data Privacy Amendments New Jersey AJR164 Establishes "New Jersey Advanced Autonomous Vehicle Task Force." Arizona HB2482 sexual assault kits; victim notification Maryland SB1068 Department of Information Technology - Evaluation and Development of a 3-1-1 Por Virginia HB553 Department of Corrections; language access and translation services for inmates.