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HB5135 • 2026
Establish Food Waste Task Force
This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.
Using official source text because the generated explanation was unavailable or could not be confirmed against the official bill text.
Establish Food Waste Task Force
To House Health and Human Resources
Introduced in House
To Health and Human Resources then Government Organization
Filed for introduction
Establish Food Waste Task Force
HB 5135 Text skip navigation SENATE PRESIDENT SENATORS COMMITTEES VIDEO/AUDIO DISTRICT MAPS SENATE CLERK SENATE RULES HOUSE SPEAKER DELEGATES COMMITTEES VIDEO/AUDIO DISTRICT MAPS HOUSE CLERK HOUSE RULES HOUSE STAFF JOINT INTERIM COMMITTEES LEGISLATIVE ADMINISTRATOR LEGISLATIVE SERVICES DIVISION PUBLIC INFORMATION LEGISLATIVE AUTOMATED SYSTEMS DIVISION LEGISLATIVE AUDITOR'S OFFICE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION & RESEARCH DIVISION POST AUDIT DIVISION BUDGET DIVISION REGULATORY AND FISCAL AFFAIRS DIVISION CLAIMS COMMISSION CRIME VICTIMS RULE-MAKING REVIEW SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS JUDICIAL COMP. COMMISSION JOINT RULES STAFF INFO BILL STATUS BILL STATUS BILL TRACKING STATE LAW WEST VIRGINIA CODE ACTS OF THE LEGISLATURE CODE OF 1931 WV CONSTITUTION US CONSTITUTION REPORTS AGENCY REPORTS AGENCY GRANT AWARDS PERFORMANCE EVALUATIONS POST AUDITS EDUCATIONAL CITIZEN’S GUIDE INTERNSHIP PROGRAM PAGE PROGRAM PUBLICATIONS PHOTO GALLERY CAPITOL HISTORY HOW A BILL BECOMES LAW CONTACT SENATE ROSTER HOUSE ROSTER PUBLIC INFO. NEWS RELEASES HELPFUL LINKS Introduced Version House Bill 5135 History | Email Key: Green = existing Code. Red = new code to be enacted WEST VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE FISCAL NOTE 2026 REGULAR SESSION Introduced House Bill 5135 By Delegate Young [Introduced February 03, 2026; referred to the Committee on Health and Human Resources then Government Organization] A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding a new article, designated §16-67-1, relating to establishing the food waste task force. Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia: Article 67. Food waste task force. §16-67-1. Food Waste Task Force established. (a) There is established in the Department of Health the Food Waste Task Force, which shall be responsible for identifying and examining and making recommendations for legislative or executive action with regard to reducing food waste in this state, including, but not limited to the factors that lead to food waste in the state, and identifying strategies, policies, and legislative and executive actions that may be used to: (1) Prevent food waste; (2) Increase food donations; (3) Provide consumers with education on food storage; (4) Lower unreasonably high cosmetic standards for fruit and vegetables; (5) Cease or significantly reduce the rejection of even marginally imperfect-looking food; (6) Build statewide systems to distribute surplus edible food to charities; (7) Eliminate unnecessary state statutes or regulations that contribute to food waste; and (8) Modify "best by" food labels, consistent with uniform national standards, to inform consumers the latest possible date food can be safely consumed. (b) The work undertaken by the task force shall supplement and be consistent with existing efforts and commitments to reduce food waste, including food donation efforts, composting efforts, date labeling efforts, and effective inventory management practices, which have been, or are being, undertaken at the national level pursuant to a uniform, nationwide model. (c) The task force shall consist of 12 members to be appointed representatives from the Department of Health, the Department of Agriculture, the Legislature, and member of the public representing organizations combating hunger or food waste in the state. (d) The task force shall organize as soon as practicable following the appointment of its members and shall select a chairperson from among its membership. The chairperson shall appoint a secretary who need not be a member of the task force. (e) Members of the task force shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties as members of the task force, within the limits of funds appropriated or otherwise made available to the task force for its purposes. (f) The task force may call to its assistance and avail itself of the services of the employees of any state, county, or municipal department, board, bureau, commission, or agency as it may require and as may be available to it for its purposes. (g) The Department of Human Services shall provide staff support to the task force. (h) No later than one year after organization, the task force shall submit to the Governor, and to the Legislature a report of its findings and recommendations for legislative, executive, or other action as may be appropriate to reduce food waste in this state. The task force shall expire upon submission of its report. NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to establish the food waste task force. Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from a heading or the present law and underscoring indicates new language that would be added. Bill Status | Bill Tracking | Legacy WV Code | Bulletin Board | District Maps | Senate Roster | House Roster | Live | Blog | Jobs | Links | Home This Web site is maintained by the West Virginia Legislature's Office of Reference & Information. | Terms of Use | Webmaster | © 2026 West Virginia Legislature ** Print On Demand Name: Email: Phone: