Bill Hamilton, listed by Ballotpedia as William Hamilton, is a Republican state senator from West Virginia who has represented District 11 since December 2018 and is seeking re-election on November 3, 2026.[1][2]An insurance agent, he previously served in the West Virginia House of Delegates from 2002 to 2018.[1]
Hamilton was born in Buckhannon, West Virginia, and attended Buckhannon-Upshur High School and Potomac State College.[1]His listed profession is insurance agent.[1]
He represented House of Delegates District 45 from 2002 to 2018, then took office in the State Senate on December 1, 2018, succeeding Robert Karnes.[1]In the 2025-2026 session he chairs the Natural Resources Committee and also serves on the Agriculture, Economic Development, Finance, Government Organization, Pensions and Workforce committees.[1]In the May 12, 2026 Republican primary, Hamilton defeated Jack Reger and Robert Karnes with 43.9 percent of the vote, and he faces Democrat Kevin Leon Carpenter in the general election.[1]
Their recorded votes on bills that divided the chamber (unanimous votes left out), grouped by topic. A bill can sit under more than one topic. "With" and "against" compare each vote with how most Republicans voted. How topics are assigned
On the version voted Mar 14, 2026: Exempts new hires and promoted employees in the Departments of Health Facilities, Human Services and Health from the classified civil service system and state grievance procedures starting July 1, 2026. Secretaries may restore coverage where federal law requires; bars nepotism and favoritism in decisions.
Mar 13, 2026 · Passed 24–9 · against most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
As passed by the Senate, bars 23 more food additives, including some preservatives and artificial sweeteners, from school meals starting August 2027, phases down added sugars to 5% of daily calories by 2029, requires online menu ingredient lists, and allows waivers if compliant products are unavailable or costlier.
Feb 26, 2026 · Failed 17–17 · against most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
On the version voted Apr 12, 2025: Requires the State Board of Education to submit new rules through the Legislature's education oversight commission to the Legislature, which may approve, amend or reject them; rules take effect as written if not acted on within 15 months. Sets deadlines after which board emergency rules expire.
Apr 10, 2025 · Passed 19–15 · against most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
On the version voted Apr 12, 2025: Expands West Virginia University's Board of Governors to 15 governor-appointed members, including WVU Tech and Potomac State graduates, specifies that elected faculty, student and staff board members serve as nonvoting advisers, and requires an agriculture or forestry member on the WVU and West Virginia State University boards.
Apr 9, 2025 · Passed 19–15 · against most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
As passed by the House, requires county commissions to inspect vote-counting machines before each election to confirm they cannot connect to the internet, report findings to the Secretary of State, and bars use of noncompliant machines; adds Secretary of State audits.
Apr 8, 2025 · Passed 17–16 · against most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
As passed by the Senate, bars 23 more food additives, including some preservatives and artificial sweeteners, from school meals starting August 2027, phases down added sugars to 5% of daily calories by 2029, requires online menu ingredient lists, and allows waivers if compliant products are unavailable or costlier.
Feb 26, 2026 · Failed 17–17 · against most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Repeals state laws on preventing and reporting inflammation of the eyes of newborns, including the required preventive eye medication at birth and related duties and penalties.
Apr 10, 2025 · Passed 18–15 · against most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
On the version voted Apr 12, 2025: Lets pharmacists prescribe certain non-controlled drugs after a positive rapid test for flu, COVID-19 or RSV, or to refill an expired epinephrine injector prescription, with physician notification and a 30-day supply limit within six months.
Mar 14, 2025 · Failed 14–17 · against most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
As amended in committee, creates a Forest Carbon Registry run by the Division of Forestry and requires developers, or landowners selling directly, to record forest carbon offset agreements with mapping data within 60 days, with fines of $2,500 and $5,000, then permanent business license suspension.
On the version voted Apr 10, 2025: Allows a person operating a motorcycle, motor-driven cycle or moped to ride standing astride the vehicle with both feet on the footpegs or pedals, facing forward, instead of only sitting on the seat.
Apr 8, 2025 · Passed 27–6 · against most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Expands the Division of Highways' design-build program, changes its dollar limits, and authorizes Construction Manager/General Contractor contracting, capped at $200 million per project. Requires rulemaking and reports to the Legislature on alternative project delivery.
Voted against most of their party on 40 of 109 party-divided votes on file.
Most often on: Education & families (9), Health & care (9), Climate & energy (6)
Exempting certain employees from the classified civil service system
What it does: On the version voted Mar 14, 2026: Exempts new hires and promoted employees in the Departments of Health Facilities, Human Services and Health from the classified civil service system and state grievance procedures st…
Voted no · most Republicans voted yes · Democrats 0–2, Republicans 24–7
Relating to requiring the Department of Human Services to establish a pilot program to contract for supplemental caseworker aide services for the Bureau for Social Services
Voted no · most Republicans voted yes · Democrats 0–2, Republicans 23–8
What it does: On the version voted Mar 14, 2026: Ends the separate personnel systems for Transportation, the State Tax Division and Social Services, terminates the State Personnel Board and moves its duties to the Division of Perso…
Voted no · most Republicans voted yes · Democrats 0–2, Republicans 28–4
Substantive votes concern legislation or nominations; procedural votes concern how the chamber considers them. A Yes vote applies to the motion shown, which may not be final passage.
SB 890 · WV SENATE
Changing certain school calendar requirements from days or months to hours
YesVOTED
Motion: Senate amended House amendment and passed bill
Replaces the 180-instructional-day school requirement with a 900-instructional-hour minimum, requires three Educator Focus Days for teachers to improve instruction, limits use of teacher preparation days, and lets nonpublic schools count up to 25 hours of alternative instruction on closure days. Starts July 1, 2027.
Changing certain school calendar requirements from days or months to hours
YesVOTED
Motion: Effective July 1, 2027
Replaces the 180-instructional-day school requirement with a 900-instructional-hour minimum, requires three Educator Focus Days for teachers to improve instruction, limits use of teacher preparation days, and lets nonpublic schools count up to 25 hours of alternative instruction on closure days. Starts July 1, 2027.
Creating Sustaining Opportunities for Academics in Rural Schools Act
YesVOTED
Motion: Senate concurred in House amendments and passed bill
On the version voted Mar 13, 2026: Changes public charter school law: gives charter schools first refusal on public schools a county board is closing, allows rural in-person charters and a second campus, and lets colleges apply for on-campus charter microschools.
Relating to annexation by minor boundary adjustment
YesVOTED
Motion: Senate amended House amendment and passed bill
As introduced, removes the limit allowing a city only one annexation by minor boundary adjustment every two years, keeping the existing caps on how much a single adjustment can expand the city.
Requiring MDs and DOs to complete continuing education
YesVOTED
Motion: Senate receded and passed
On the version voted Feb 3, 2026: Requires physicians renewing their medical or osteopathic licenses to complete continuing medical education in nutrition, and authorizes rulemaking.
Relating to annexation by minor boundary adjustment
YesVOTED
Motion: Senate reconsidered action and passed bill
As introduced, removes the limit allowing a city only one annexation by minor boundary adjustment every two years, keeping the existing caps on how much a single adjustment can expand the city.
On the version voted Mar 12, 2026: Makes it a misdemeanor, after a verbal warning, to approach or stay within 30 feet of a first responder on lawful duty in a way that impedes or threatens them. Penalty is a $50 to $500 fine, up to one year in jail, or both.
