Plain English Breakdown
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SB70 • 2026
Protecting state and local government systems and data from foreign entities
Protecting state and local government systems and data from foreign entities
Passed Legislature
This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.
Bill History
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2026-02-06
S
To Judiciary
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2026-02-06
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Reported do pass, but first to Judiciary
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2026-01-14
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To Government Organization
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2026-01-14
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Introduced in Senate
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2026-01-14
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To Government Organization then Judiciary
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2026-01-14
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Filed for introduction
Official Summary Text
Protecting state and local government systems and data from foreign entities
Current Bill Text
Read the full stored bill text
SB 70 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 Senate Bill 70 History | Email Key: Green = existing Code. Red = new code to be enacted WEST VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE 2026 REGULAR SESSION Introduced Senate Bill 70 By Senator Rucker [ Introduced January 14, 2026; referred to the Committee on Government Organization; and then to the Committee on the Judiciary ] A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding a new article, designated §5-34-1 and §5-34-2, relating to protecting state and local government systems and data, and their ability to protect citizens' data and access to government systems, from cyberattacks and surveillance by adverse foreign interests by prohibiting the use or procurement of any software, application, or artificial intelligence tool that is owned by any entity located in a designated foreign adversary nation. Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia: Article 34. Data Protection Act. §5-34-1. Definitions. (a) "State agency" means an association, authority, board, department, commission, independent agency, institution, system, office, society, or other body in state government created or authorized to be created by the Constitution of West Virginia or any law. (b) "Foreign country of concern" means foreign adversaries, as designated by 15 C.F.R. § 791.4. §5-34-2. Ban. (a) All officials, employees, or contractors of any state agency, other than a law enforcement officer, as defined in §15-2-25B(j), for law enforcement purposes, shall prohibit the following on any state-owned or state-leased device capable of accessing the internet: (1) The download and/or use of any social media application, channel, or platform that is owned by an entity in a foreign country of concern; and (2) Accessing the website of any social media application, channel, or platform that is owned by an entity in a foreign country of concern. (b) All officials, employees, or contractors of a state agency, other than a law enforcement officer for law enforcement purposes, are prohibited from using applications, software, and artificial intelligence algorithms that are owned by an entity located in a foreign country of concern. (c) The ban imposed by this section does not apply to officials, employees, or contractors of a state agency who have obtained a written waiver from the Secretary of State for purposes of and limited to the performance of their duties. NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to protect state and local government systems and data, and their ability to protect citizens' data and access to government systems, from cyberattacks and surveillance by adverse foreign interests by prohibiting the use or procurement of any software, application, or artificial intelligence tool that is owned by any entity located in a designated foreign adversary nation. 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: