A new West Virginia law eliminates handshake deals between solid waste carriers and their commercial customers—and the deadline to comply is June 12, 2026.
Most West Virginia trucking and transportation operators who haul solid waste don't realize that a provision buried in SB1059 has fundamentally changed how they can do business with commercial customers. As of June 12, 2026, oral agreements and informal arrangements are no longer legally valid.
Under the new language added to West Virginia Code §24A-5-2c, any agreement between a solid waste motor carrier and a commercial customer must now be documented in a written contract. That contract must comply with rules and general orders issued by the Public Service Commission of West Virginia.
This applies specifically to commercial customers—businesses that contract with waste carriers for disposal or transportation services. If your operation currently relies on verbal agreements, email confirmations, or informal understandings with commercial clients, those arrangements will no longer meet legal requirements after the effective date.
If you operate a solid waste motor carrier in West Virginia and serve commercial customers—whether they're small retailers, restaurants, manufacturers, or other businesses—this applies to you. The requirement covers any commercial customer relationship, regardless of how long you've been working together or how straightforward the arrangement seems.
Residential waste collection and municipal contracts may have different requirements; operators should review the specific language of §24A-5-2c and any applicable PSC rules to determine exact scope.
Before June 12, 2026, you should:
Review existing arrangements. Identify all commercial customer relationships currently operating under oral or informal agreements.
Formalize them in writing. Draft written contracts that comply with PSC rules and general orders. The PSC will issue specific requirements for contract content and format; those rules should be monitored as the effective date approaches.
Get signatures. Ensure both parties sign and retain copies of all agreements before the deadline.
Plan for new business. Any new commercial customer relationships entered after the law's passage should already be documented in writing.
This isn't a minor paperwork change. Operating under an oral agreement after June 12, 2026, could expose your business to legal disputes, regulatory action, or loss of recourse if a customer disputes terms or refuses to pay. The written contract requirement creates a clear, enforceable record of rates, service scope, responsibilities, and dispute resolution—protecting both you and your customer.
The 90-day window from the bill's passage on March 14, 2026, to the effective date of June 12, 2026, gives operators time to prepare, but only if they act now to identify gaps and begin the formalization process.
SB1059 was enacted March 14, 2026. The written contract requirement is codified in West Virginia Code §24A-5-2c and takes effect June 12, 2026. For detailed guidance on PSC contract rules, contact the Public Service Commission of West Virginia or consult your industry association.