A new West Virginia law requires written contracts for all commercial solid waste hauling deals—and most operators don't know about it yet.
Most West Virginia solid waste motor carriers and their commercial customers have operated on handshake deals or informal arrangements for years. That era is ending.
Effective June 12, 2026, Senate Bill 1059 requires every solid waste motor carrier operating in West Virginia to have a written contract with every commercial customer. No exceptions. No verbal agreements. The contract must comply with rules and general orders set by the West Virginia Public Service Commission.
If you haul solid waste for commercial customers—whether that's restaurants, retail shops, offices, or manufacturers—you need to understand this requirement now, not in June 2026.
The law is codified in West Virginia Code §24A-5-2c. It applies to any arrangement between a solid waste motor carrier and a commercial customer. The written contract must address service terms, duration, rates, and other conditions as required by PSC rules. Informal deals or oral agreements no longer satisfy legal requirements and may become unenforceable.
For carriers, this means:
Immediate action needed: You'll need to draft or revise contract templates to meet PSC standards before the June 2026 deadline. Waiting until the last minute creates compliance risk and operational disruption.
Customer conversations: Existing customers operating on informal terms will need to transition to written agreements. Starting these conversations now—rather than scrambling in spring 2026—gives everyone time to negotiate terms and avoid service interruptions.
Contract terms matter: The PSC will specify what must be included in these contracts. Duration, pricing, service scope, and termination conditions all become formal, documented obligations rather than understood practices.
Enforcement changes: A written contract creates a clear legal record. Disputes over service terms, pricing, or obligations become easier to resolve through the contract language itself. Conversely, the absence of a compliant written contract weakens your position if a customer disputes charges or terms.
This applies to solid waste motor carriers serving commercial customers in West Virginia. If you primarily serve residential customers or operate outside the state, this may not apply—but carriers with mixed commercial and residential routes need to ensure commercial accounts are covered.
SB1059 passed on March 14, 2026, and becomes effective 90 days later on June 12, 2026. That's your deadline to have compliant written contracts in place for all commercial customer relationships.
The six-month window between now and June gives you time to review PSC rules as they're finalized, develop contract language, and work with existing customers to formalize agreements. Waiting longer increases the risk of non-compliance and customer friction.
More detailed guidance specific to your operation is available through industry resources and legal counsel familiar with West Virginia transportation regulations.
Source: West Virginia Senate Bill 1059, §24A-5-2c, enrolled text.