[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6298687,"mediaKeyId","2502078-93bba928374ffdef9d8bee962ca45d68","parentId",2502078,"title","Senate passes House Bill 23‑54 banning specified synthetic food dyes and two preservatives; sponsor cites public‑health concerns","audioSeconds",440,"startMs",2160000,"endMs",2600000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2502078-93bba928374ffdef9d8bee962ca45d68&start=2160&end=2600","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2502078-93bba928374ffdef9d8bee962ca45d68/thumbnail_2160000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6298687/West-Virginia/Senate-passes-House-Bill-2354-banning-specified-synthetic-food-dyes-and-two-preservatives-sponsor-cites-publichealth-concerns","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6298687-50d52b8a5c0ebdbb31fc955f00abdfbb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771079494&Signature=NoH8imxGKd-eQspIwLk5FLcCpvb48yBQ~fcfMTASjBLSpRmLwqomM-E1mgFOkY~AQZeLlqnksvH3k-GMAFt1KuAcg0v1VCiaUbia81OurrVWZFoa9YLF2BVEc7mPrj~FfXDuP0V9bmBcAs7JG0n6tEaLGmbgczN1n0YDfHWryJe5Duvm~CcA76tSm4SMQtHnmRx25C4SFDBE8kr8dLx92sNp6cuf7si1IZujhpLPRmcYAd0ykw0ty5R2j3VxTe4G3flyw~DhKvshGDPYMLdoFXJyhiMMpsfbP-gDcTA7gIaBdSQQkP8HIQvk6u2y03tZXxIPya5491Yd13a3uVJXeA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","West Virginia Legislature","date","2025-03-05T00:00:00Z","article","The West Virginia Senate on March 5, 2025, passed House Bill 23‑54, which bans specified synthetic food dyes (Blue No. 1, Blue No. 2, Green No. 3, Red No. 3, Red No. 40, Yellow No. 5, Yellow No. 6) and the preservatives butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and propylparaben from foods sold in the state. The chamber voted 31 yeas, 2 nays, 1 absent on third reading and later took the two‑thirds vote necessary to make the measure effective from passage.

Why it matters: Sponsors argued the dyes and preservatives are linked to neurobehavioral effects in children and, in some studies, to carcinogenic compounds. The bill also imposes earlier restrictions on dyes in school nutrition programs and a later statewide consumer ban, creating a phased implementation timeline that affects producers, schools and retailers.

What the bill does

The bill text described on the floor bans the listed artificial color additives and the two preservatives on grounds that they may be poisonous or injurious to health. Floor remarks stated the consumer‑market portions of the bill will take effect Jan. 1, 2028, while the restrictions that apply to school nutrition programs — with limited exceptions for fundraisers sold off school grounds or sales after school hours — would take effect Aug. 1, 2025. On the floor a sponsor moved an amendment that substituted 2028 for an earlier implementation year; that amendment was adopted before final passage.

Floor debate and evidence cited

Supporters who addressed the chamber cited testimony reported in committee from clinical trials they said show neurobehavioral effects — symptoms described on the floor included hyperactivity, restlessness and sleep disruption among children. A senator referenced the National Center for Biotechnology Information and criticized the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for not reevaluating the chemicals for decades. Members noted that numerous companies and retailers (the sponsor cited Aldi and Costco as examples) sell products without the listed synthetic dyes in some markets, and that manufacturers often use natural colorants such as beet juice, turmeric or spirulina in other countries.

Opponents and concerns

Floor debate recorded two recorded nay votes and one senator absent at the time of the final tally; the transcript shows opponents warned about supply and availability and argued the measure could be disruptive for retailers and producers. The bill text includes narrow exceptions for school fundraisers sold off campus or after the school day.

Vote and next steps

On final passage the clerk announced 31 yeas, 2 nays and 1 absent. Following passage, the Senate recorded the two‑thirds vote required to declare the bill effective from passage. The Senate clerk communicated the action to the House of Delegates. The bill will proceed according to the statutory process; the transcript records the effective dates as discussed on the floor (school nutrition restrictions: Aug. 1, 2025; consumer market ban: Jan. 1, 2028).

Attribution and sources

Floor remarks cited clinical trials and reports by U.S. agencies and research bodies; the transcript specifically referenced the National Center for Biotechnology Information and the FDA. The transcript also quoted senators who compared U.S. product formulations to those sold in the U.K., the EU and Canada. No external documents were attached to the floor transcript itself.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate in Session Mar 5, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The West Virginia Senate on March 5, 2025, passed House Bill 23‑54, which bans several synthetic food dyes and two preservatives from foods sold in the state.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature WV, West Virginia","taxId",77714,"location","West Virginia","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":46,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6298692,"Senate approves several bills on education, voter rolls and school absences; other measures advanced",889,1711000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2502078-93bba928374ffdef9d8bee962ca45d68&start=1711&end=2600","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2502078-93bba928374ffdef9d8bee962ca45d68/thumbnail_1711000.jpg","/articles/6298692/West-Virginia/Senate-approves-several-bills-on-education-voter-rolls-and-school-absences-other-measures-advanced","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6298692-cacac2f83be4a8bfba6c02b937ad78d3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771079494&Signature=Xp8GXWVrhtOVWXF8XaJRArLYxhDHgjbpmghNY5nMpNpp~tvUhEolgSWTYujfQByQIGSfJ7mY-p7Le8QYvpL~7THFpqfRuSg~xuSkdYyvKOO0S7U9ymnQAbmfIXgJgKqnAQFwplnHJRyMaH7SrWj7MByExQ--bbVSeZXkJ5~OjNMf8KnwMch7lrfy~A7k2-weVP-TFb90GLBPXXl2HFIjahyLn8c6fkAKRNi18KflNIoy6AAWf5oa~XJow-tthTiyMmUa1NfxC6BFVpQThDFuaPtnQgAp8uXaYHfAPmKqHQYow1Xw-FulJMQqY96FFeSerGDzDMtQBmXr~duVIqWGFQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The West Virginia Senate on March 5, 2025, approved several bills affecting education, elections and student attendance and advanced a series of other measures to later committee or reading. Major votes included changes to county board member training and compensation, an expedited process to identify inactive voters on registration rolls, and a change to excused absences that includes 4‑H/FFA participation and up to five college visits.

Why it matters: The votes set statutory expectations for local board training and compensation, alter the window used to mark voters inactive for potential removal, and update school attendance policy to recognize extracurricular and college‑visit activities. Several measures will now move to the House or next reading, and one passed measure will take effect on passage when two‑thirds of elected senators voted in favor.

The key outcomes

- County board member training and compensation: The chamber passed an engrossed committee substitute that (among other provisions) requires makeup orientation within 30 days for board members who miss initial orientation, raises the annual required training from seven to 12 hours, allows the state board to require additional training, and sets county board member compensation at $260 per meeting unless the board votes to approve a lower rate. The Senate recorded an initial passage vote of 32 yeas and 2 nays; a subsequent motion to set the bill\u0000\u0000effective on July 1, 2025, passed by a roll call of 34 yeas, 0 nays. (Outcome: approved.)

- Voter‑roll maintenance: Engrossed committee substitute for Senate Bill 487 (removing ineligible voters from active voter rolls) passed the Senate by a vote of 33 ayes and 1 nay. The bill removes an obsolete reference to the combined voter registration and licensing fund and shortens one benchmark used to flag voters as potentially purgeable from four years of no voting activity to two years. During floor questions, a senator clarified that placement on the inactive list and ultimate purging still require a longer process that can take multiple election cycles; the senator explained that a voter would generally have to be inactive and take no reactivation steps over roughly six years before final removal. (Outcome: approved.)

- School attendance and 4‑H/FFA participation: Engrossed committee substitute for Senate Bill 581 (relating to school attendance and student participation in 4‑H activities) passed unanimously, 34‑0. The Senate adopted an amendment to include up to five college visits as an allowable excused absence in the bill\u0000\u0000language. Sponsors said the change aims to reduce barriers for students attending 4‑H/FFA events or visiting colleges. (Outcome: approved.)

Other final actions and motions

- House Bill 23‑54 (ban on specified food dyes and two preservatives in foods sold in the state): The Senate passed the bill 31 yeas, 2 nays, 1 absent and later declared the bill effective from passage after the required supermajority vote. The measure bans a list of synthetic dyes and two preservatives in most foods sold in West Virginia, with staggered effective dates noted on the floor (consumer ban effective 01/01/2028; specified school nutrition program restrictions effective 08/01/2025). Senators debated health and industry implications on the floor prior to the vote. (Outcome: approved; effective dates as stated on the floor.)

- Multiple committee reports and first readings: The Senate recorded numerous committee reports and referred bills to their second committees, and it advanced several measures on first reading (including bills on certified business expansion, correctional officers' law‑enforcement recognition, and other items) without floor debate.

Floor discussion highlights

Senators used floor time to ask detailed procedural questions before votes. During consideration of the voter‑roll bill, a senator who identified themself in floor remarks as the floor questioner asked whether the secretary of state still sends notice postcards to voters placed on the inactive list; the sponsoring senator confirmed that notice procedures remain in place and explained the multi‑step process that precedes final removal from the rolls.

What comes next

Passed measures will be communicated to the House of Delegates where required, or move forward according to each bill\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000s statutory path. Several bills retained their places for additional readings or were referred to the finance committee under double reference rules. The Senate recessed until its next scheduled session.","The West Virginia Senate on March 5, 2025, passed multiple measures including changes to county board training and compensation, a faster process to identify inactive voters, and an expansion of excused absences for students participating in 4‑H, FFA or college visits. The chamber also advanced other bills to additional readings.","actionData","errors"]

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Senate passes House Bill 23‑54 banning specified synthetic food dyes and two preservatives; sponsor cites public‑health concerns

Senate approves several bills on education, voter rolls and school absences; other measures advanced