Relating to authorizing the Senior Services to promulgate a legislative rule relating to shared table initiative for senior citizens.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Doug Smith

HB 4321 authorizes the West Virginia Senior Services agency to create a formal rule governing a shared table initiative for seniors, outlining program parameters and oversight.

To House Judiciary

#legislature--rulemaking

Bill Summary: HB 4321 (West Virginia, 2026)

Purpose and Intent

This bill authorizes the Senior Services agency to promulgate a legislative rule related to a “shared table initiative” for senior citizens.

The aim appears to be establishing a formal regulatory framework to implement or govern a collaborative, shared-meal or shared-table program intended to benefit seniors through community dining or resource sharing.

Key Provisions and Changes

Authorization to promulgate a rule: The core provision grants the West Virginia Senior Services agency the authority to develop and adopt a legislative rule governing the shared table initiative.

Scope of rulemaking: While specifics are not detailed in the summary, the rule is expected to define the program’s parameters, eligibility, operations, oversight, and compliance requirements for participating facilities or partners.

Regulatory mechanism: The bill contemplates a formal rulemaking process, likely including notice-and-comment procedures typical for a legislative rule, to ensure public input and transparency in establishing the program.

Affected Parties and Impacts

Primary affected entity: West Virginia Senior Services (state agency). The agency would be responsible for drafting, implementing, and enforcing the rule.

Potential beneficiaries: Senior citizens who participate in or benefit from the shared table initiative (e.g., access to meals, social connection, nutrition support).

Service providers and partners: Senior centers, community organizations, meal providers, and local government offices that would implement or coordinate the shared table initiative under the rule.

General public: Indirectly affected through regulatory standards, program accessibility, and quality considerations embedded in the rule.

Procedural and Timeline Considerations

History of action:

2026-01-14: Introduced in House; referred to Government Organization, then Judiciary.
2026-01-30: “Do pass, but first to Judiciary” indicates a favorable committee vote with the bill moving to the House Judiciary committee for final consideration.
2026-01-30: Also noted as to be considered by Judiciary, reinforcing the committee’s pivotal role.

Next steps likely:

Public hearing and committee deliberations in the House Judiciary.
Potential amendments or refinements before floor vote.
If advanced, final passage by the House and potential reconciling actions with the Senate (if applicable) and governor’s signature.

Additional Context

Co-sponsor: Doug Smith (indicates bi-partisan or supportive involvement but does not by itself imply the bill’s content beyond sponsorship).

As the bill focuses on rulemaking authority rather than new spending or program creation, the immediate fiscal impact may be limited to administrative costs associated with rule development and implementation, unless the rule introduces funding or program expansions.

Overall Assessment

HB 4321 seeks to empower the West Virginia Senior Services agency to establish a formal rule governing a shared table initiative for seniors. The measure outlines procedural steps for rulemaking and defines the regulatory framework that would guide program operations, eligibility, and oversight. The bill’s passage would mark the creation or formalization of a state-regulated senior dining/community-sharing initiative, with impact on seniors, service providers, and partner organizations.