Nonpartisan · Data from OpenStates / Plural Policy · West Virginia
Votes with Republicans
100%
on 51 party-line votes · Senate Republicans median 95%
Cast a vote
94%
Yea or Nay on 670 of 711 roll calls · Senate median 99%
Their bills that became law
14 of 48
as a primary sponsor, this session · Republicans median 4.5
Roll calls on record
711
2026 Regular Session
Votes and bills updated Oct 6, 2026 from LegiScan (CC BY 4.0), which republishes the legislature’s own records. Profile details from OpenStates / Plural Policy. Figures cover 2026 Regular Session.
How Brian Helton votes
A party-line vote is a roll call where most voting Democrats and most voting Republicans took opposite sides. Absences and not-voting are never counted. Same method as our Congress pages.
Where Brian Helton sits in the Senate
Each dot is one member of the Senate, placed by how often they voted on the Democratic side of party-line votes. Brian Helton is circled.
Always on the Republican sideAlways on the Democratic side
Times they broke with their party
0 of 51 party-line votes.
They voted with most Republicans on every party-line vote this session.
Closest votes they cast
Roll calls decided by the fewest votes, one per bill.
SB745 · Relating to requirements for school nutrition programs
Floor amendments rejected (Roll No. 249) · 2026-02-26 · Failed 17–17
SB928 · Relating to manufacture, sale, and distribution of low-proof spirit alcohol products
Passed Senate (Roll No. 192) · 2026-02-21 · Failed 15–13
HB4425 · To repeal the provision allowing for students to transfer from one school to another without losing eligibility.
Passed Senate (Roll No. 536) · 2026-03-13 · Passed 20–14
HB5537 · Repealing obsolete and outdated sections of the Education code.
Ruling of chair challenged (Roll No. 574) · 2026-03-13 · Failed 12–18
SB927 · Clarifying Commissioner of Agriculture's authority to regulate bees
Motion bill be laid over on calendar rejected (Roll No. 216) · 2026-02-24 · Failed 14–20
Democrats they vote with most
Share of contested roll calls (the losing side got at least 10%) where both voted and landed on the same side. Unanimous votes are left out, because on those everyone agrees.
Joey GarciaDemocrat · District 13 · 53 shared contested votes
43%
Mike WoelfelDemocrat · District 5 · 47 shared contested votes
40%
Their session, month by month
Dark bars are roll calls they were recorded on each month; the red part is the ones without a Yea or Nay (41 in all). Gaps are months the chamber wasn’t voting.
← West Virginia Delegation
YeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYea
Their bills, from filing to law
Bills Brian Helton was a primary sponsor of this session. Most bills from either party never leave committee; in Illinois many never get past the Assignments or Rules committee.
Introduced48
Out of committee24
Passed one chamber22
Passed both chambers15
Became law14
Never left committee24
For comparison, the median Republican member of the Senate has 4.5 bills that became law this session.
What their bills are about
Health 12Human Services 10Crime 4Counties 2Municipalities 2Motor Vehicles 2
Modifying requirements for involuntary hospitalization
The purpose of this bill is to streamline the involuntary treatment process by removing a list of persons that must be contacted prior to an involuntary hospitalization and to increase the timeframe in which to file the mental hygiene petition.
Became lawBecame law without Governor's signature – Senate Journal · 2026-04-02
Authorizing Unemployment Automation and Administration Fund to modernize and enhance WorkForce West Virginia
The purpose of this bill is to authorize Unemployment Automation and Administration Fees on certain employers to support administration and automation efforts, subject to a cap on collections, suspension of the fee and rate reduction when the Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund balance falls below $300…
Became lawApproved by Governor 4/1/2026 · 2026-04-01
Adjusting salaries for certain administrative law judges
The purpose of this bill is to provide a 15 percent salary adjustment to Administrative Law Judge 1 and Administrative Law Judge 2 positions in WorkForce West Virginia Board of Review.
Became lawApproved by Governor 4/1/2026 · 2026-04-01
Allowing volunteer fire departments to submit audit paperwork electronically
The purpose of this bill is to allow volunteer fire companies to submit audit paperwork electronically.
Became lawApproved by Governor 4/1/2026 · 2026-04-01
Relating to licensure and certification of alcohol and drug counselors
The purpose of this bill is to require the licensure or certification of alcohol and drug counselors.
Became lawApproved by Governor 4/1/2026 · 2026-04-01
Relating to Critical Incident Review Team
The purpose of this bill is to clarify that the Critical Incident Review Team is under the Office of the Inspector General. The bill has the Office of Inspector General lead the team and prepare the reporting.
VetoedVetoed by Governor 4/1/2026 · 2026-04-01
Expanding pilot program to implement involuntary commitment process
The purpose of this bill is to expand the counties that can participate in the pilot project.
Became lawApproved by Governor 4/1/2026 · 2026-04-01
Relating to value-based payment requirements
The purpose of this bill is to require value-based contracting for substance use disorder, to require value-based outcomes for grants, and requires a state plan amendment to the extent necessary.
Became lawApproved by Governor 4/1/2026 · 2026-04-01
Requiring auto accident toxicology test be performed
The purpose of this bill is to require toxicology tests after a fatal vehicle crash.
Became lawApproved by Governor 3/27/2026 · 2026-03-27
Relating to statute of limitations for asbestos and silica litigation
The purpose of this bill is to amend the procedures for the handling of asbestos and silica litigation and to enhance the ability of the judicial system to manage such litigation.
Became lawApproved by Governor 3/25/2026 · 2026-03-25
Relating to annexation by minor boundary adjustment
The purpose of this bill relates to annexation by minor boundary adjustment.
Passed one chamberCommunicated to Senate · 2026-03-14
Relating to abortion pill reversal
The purpose of this bill is to add the abortion pill reversal as covered expense.
Passed one chamberTo House Finance · 2026-03-11
Modifying oversight provisions for Legislative Oversight Commission on Health and Human Resources Accountability
The purpose of this bill is to require state departments to prepare annual performance plans, report these plans to the Legislative Oversight Commission on Health and Human Resources Accountability, and the Commission to report to the Legislature. The bill also defines agencies and departments.
Became lawApproved by Governor 3/9/2026 – House Journal · 2026-03-11
West Virginia First Energy Act
The purpose of this bill is to restore electric-rate stability through the continued utilization of in-state coal generation; preserve employment and investment in West Virginia's coal and natural-gas industries; and coordinate with the Electric Grid Stabilization and Security Fund to sustain dependable baseload and mid-load…
Passed one chamberMarkup Discussion · 2026-03-10
Relating to requirements for school nutrition programs
The purpose of this bill is to set forth a list of additives to be excluded from a school nutrition program and to set forth requirements for sugar, a fiber to carbohydrate ratio, and to require a posting of menu ingredients.
Passed one chamberMarkup Discussion · 2026-03-06
Descriptions are the legislature’s own synopsis. Bill data from LegiScan, CC BY 4.0.
Loading committees…
SB587 · 2026-03-14
Adjusting salary schedule for elected county officials (Senate amended House amendment and passed bill (Roll No. 605))
SB587 · 2026-03-14
Adjusting salary schedule for elected county officials (Effective July 1, 2026 (Roll No. 606))
HB5317 · 2026-03-14
Supplemental Appropriation to the Department of Commerce – Division of Natural Resources from the Unappropriated Surplus Balance. (Constitutional Rule Suspended (Roll No. 616))
HB5317 · 2026-03-14
Supplemental Appropriation to the Department of Commerce – Division of Natural Resources from the Unappropriated Surplus Balance. (Passed Senate (Roll No. 617))
HB5317 · 2026-03-14
Supplemental Appropriation to the Department of Commerce – Division of Natural Resources from the Unappropriated Surplus Balance. (Effective from passage (Roll No. 618))
HB5277 · 2026-03-14
Supplemental Appropriation to the Department of Health Facilities-Welch Community Hospital, William R. Sharpe Jr. Hospital, and Mildred Mitchell-Bateman Hospital from the Unappropriated Surplus Balance (Constitutional Rule Suspended (Roll No. 607))
HB5277 · 2026-03-14
Supplemental Appropriation to the Department of Health Facilities-Welch Community Hospital, William R. Sharpe Jr. Hospital, and Mildred Mitchell-Bateman Hospital from the Unappropriated Surplus Balance (Passed Senate (Roll No. 608))
HB5277 · 2026-03-14
Supplemental Appropriation to the Department of Health Facilities-Welch Community Hospital, William R. Sharpe Jr. Hospital, and Mildred Mitchell-Bateman Hospital from the Unappropriated Surplus Balance (Effective from passage (Roll No. 609))
SB705 · 2026-03-14
Creating offense of theft by conversion (Senate concurred in House amendments and passed bill (Roll No. 627))
SB772 · 2026-03-14
Declaring certain claims against WV to be moral obligations (Senate concurred in House amendments and passed bill (Roll No. 628))
SB772 · 2026-03-14
Declaring certain claims against WV to be moral obligations (Effective from passage (Roll No. 629))
SB622 · 2026-03-14
Extending mine safety technology tax credit (Senate concurred in House amendments and passed bill (Roll No. 626))
SB243 · 2026-03-14
Establishing disaster repair and recovery effort tax credit for taxpayers subject to severance and business privilege tax in certain circumstances (Senate concurred in House amendments and passed bill (Roll No. 622))
HB5307 · 2026-03-14
Supplemental Appropriation to the Department of Tourism- Division of Culture and History from the Unappropriated Surplus Balance. (Constitutional Rule Suspended (Roll No. 613))
HB5307 · 2026-03-14
Supplemental Appropriation to the Department of Tourism- Division of Culture and History from the Unappropriated Surplus Balance. (Passed Senate (Roll No. 614))
HB5307 · 2026-03-14
Supplemental Appropriation to the Department of Tourism- Division of Culture and History from the Unappropriated Surplus Balance. (Effective from passage (Roll No. 615))
SB952 · 2026-03-14
Transferring Court Security Fund (Senate concurred in House amendments and passed bill (Roll No. 644))
SB977 · 2026-03-14
Creating benefit for duty-related partial disability (Senate concurred in House amendments and passed bill (Roll No. 637))
SB828 · 2026-03-14
Supplemental Appropriation to Department of Human Services, fund 5090 (Senate concurred in House amendments and passed bill (Roll No. 632))
SB828 · 2026-03-14
Supplemental Appropriation to Department of Human Services, fund 5090 (Effective from passage (Roll No. 633))
HB5288 · 2026-03-14
Supplemental Appropriation to the Department of Agriculture-West Virginia Spay Neuter Assistance Fund from Special Revenue (Constitutional Rule Suspended (Roll No. 610))
HB5288 · 2026-03-14
Supplemental Appropriation to the Department of Agriculture-West Virginia Spay Neuter Assistance Fund from Special Revenue (Passed Senate (Roll No. 611))
HB5288 · 2026-03-14
Supplemental Appropriation to the Department of Agriculture-West Virginia Spay Neuter Assistance Fund from Special Revenue (Effective from passage (Roll No. 612))
HB5694 · 2026-03-14
Supplemental appropriation to Department of Education, fund 0313. (Constitutional Rule Suspended (Roll No. 619))
HB5694 · 2026-03-14
Supplemental appropriation to Department of Education, fund 0313. (Passed Senate (Roll No. 620))
HB5694 · 2026-03-14
Supplemental appropriation to Department of Education, fund 0313. (Effective from passage (Roll No. 621))
SB63 · 2026-03-14
Creating Sustaining Opportunities for Academics in Rural Schools Act (Senate concurred in House amendments and passed bill (Roll No. 662))
SB63 · 2026-03-14
Creating Sustaining Opportunities for Academics in Rural Schools Act (Effective from passage (Roll No. 663))
SB392 · 2026-03-14
Relating to personal income tax reduction (Senate concurred in House amendments and passed bill (Roll No. 652))
SB392 · 2026-03-14
Relating to personal income tax reduction (Senate reconsidered action and passed bill (Roll No. 668))
SB897 · 2026-03-14
Relating to licensure and certification of alcohol and drug counselors (Senate concurred in House amendments and passed bill (Roll No. 674))
SB558 · 2026-03-14
Relating to school bus safety violations by vehicle operators (Senate amended House amendment and passed bill (Roll No. 625))
SB617 · 2026-03-14
Banking and Financial Services Provider Protections for Eligible Adults from Financial Exploitation (Senate concurred in House amendments and passed bill (Roll No. 642))
SB1008 · 2026-03-14
Relating to statute of limitations for asbestos and silica litigation (Senate concurred in House amendments and passed bill (Roll No. 645))
SB1008 · 2026-03-14
Relating to statute of limitations for asbestos and silica litigation (Effective from passage (Roll No. 646))
SB890 · 2026-03-14
Changing certain school calendar requirements from days or months to hours (Senate amended House amendment and passed bill (Roll No. 635))
SB890 · 2026-03-14
Changing certain school calendar requirements from days or months to hours (Effective July 1, 2027 (Roll No. 636))
SB231 · 2026-03-14
Relating to value-based payment requirements (Senate concurred in House amendments and passed bill (Roll No. 655))
SB54 · 2026-03-14
Establishing criminal penalties for abuse or neglect of incapacitated adults (Senate concurred in House amendments and passed bill (Roll No. 653))
SB194 · 2026-03-14
Updating definition of "disabled veteran taxpayer" (Senate concurred in House amendments and passed bill (Roll No. 669))
SB553 · 2026-03-14
Providing for transfer of license to contractor’s qualifying immediate family member (Senate concurred in House amendments and passed bill (Roll No. 657))
SR68 · 2026-03-14
Recognizing dedicated public service of Honorable Charles Houston Clements (Adopted (Roll No. 678))
SR67 · 2026-03-14
Recognizing dedicated public service of Honorable Michael Andrew Woelfel (Adopted (Roll No. 677))
SB506 · 2026-03-14
Permitting certain use of county-owned wireless tower (Senate concurred in House amendments and passed bill (Roll No. 624))
SB182 · 2026-03-14
Relating to annexation by minor boundary adjustment (Senate amended House amendment and passed bill (Roll No. 682))
SB982 · 2026-03-14
Creating Neighborhood Access Road Program (Senate concurred in House amendments and passed bill (Roll No. 675))
SB4 · 2026-03-14
Relating to crimes against public justice (Senate receded and passed (Roll No. 691))
SB1053 · 2026-03-14
Authorizing Unemployment Automation and Administration Fund to modernize and enhance WorkForce West Virginia (Senate concurred in House amendments and passed bill (Roll No. 666))
SB1053 · 2026-03-14
Authorizing Unemployment Automation and Administration Fund to modernize and enhance WorkForce West Virginia (Effective July 1, 2026 (Roll No. 667))
SB197 · 2026-03-14
Relating to crime of sexual abuse by parent, guardian, custodian, or person in position of trust to child (Senate concurred in House amendments and passed bill (Roll No. 679))
SB29 · 2026-03-14
Providing pay increases to members of judiciary (Senate concurred in House amendments and passed bill (Roll No. 639))
SB29 · 2026-03-14
Providing pay increases to members of judiciary (Effective July 1, 2026 (Roll No. 640))
HB4245 · 2026-03-14
Authorizing Certain Agencies of the Department of Revenue to Promulgate Legislative Rules (Passed Senate (Roll No. 695))
HB4245 · 2026-03-14
Authorizing Certain Agencies of the Department of Revenue to Promulgate Legislative Rules (Effective from passage (Roll No. 696))
SB686 · 2026-03-14
Coal Co-tenancy Modernization and Miners Protection Act (Senate concurred in House amendments and passed bill (Roll No. 659))
SB906 · 2026-03-14
Permitting lawful prescription of crystalline polymorph psilocybin under FDA recommendations (Senate concurred in House amendments and passed bill (Roll No. 660))
SJR9 · 2026-03-14
Citizenship Requirement to Vote in West Virginia Elections Amendment (Adopted by Senate (Roll No. 638))
SB742 · 2026-03-14
Modifying requirements for involuntary hospitalization (Senate concurred in House amendments and passed bill (Roll No. 643))
SB826 · 2026-03-14
Supplementary appropriation to Division of Natural Resources, fund 3211 (Senate concurred in House amendments and passed bill (Roll No. 630))
SB826 · 2026-03-14
Supplementary appropriation to Division of Natural Resources, fund 3211 (Effective from passage (Roll No. 631))
Complete voting record from LegiScan (showing the 60 most recent of 711 total roll-call votes this session).
Capitol Office
📍State Capitol Room 439M, Complex, Building 1 1900 Kanawha Blvd. East, Charleston, WV 25305
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