Biography

Robert D. Beach is an American public servant and a Democratic member of the West Virginia State Senate representing District 13 since January 2011. Beach served consecutively in the West Virginia Legislature’s House of Delegates from January 2001 until January 2011, and non-consecutively from his May 1998 appointment to fill the vacancy caused by the passing of his father, the late Delegate Robert C. Beach, until December 3, 1998 in the West Virginia House of Delegates within the 44 Delegate District. Read more on Bob’s Wikipedia.

Farm to State House

  • Farm raised- 800 acre cattle farm
  • 4-H/FFA-Officer,
  • Meat cutter-Manager;
  • Perishable Meat Commodity Buyer,
  • Multi-store Supervisor of perishable retail grocery ($4 million annual budget),
  • Political Science-Fairmont State University, Spruce School of Real Estate,
  • Chairman of House Committee on Agriculture,
  • Legislative Committee on Agriculture (19 years House and Senate),
  • Southern Legislative Conference- Agricultural Committee member,
  • WVU Davis College of Agriculture Visitation Committee.

Public Service

Bob has served his neighbors in Monongalia and Marion counties in public service since 1998 when asked to complete the term in the House of Delegates at the untimely passing of his father.  What has happened since then?

In May of 2018, Senator Beach requested a review of the our Department of Highways budget to address the present need to repair existing roads.  This analysis of the present budget will provide the necessary data to update the state formula that dictates the money allotted for the budget.

Tax Increment Financing District(TIF):

During the March 2012 Session of the WV Legislature, Senator Bob Beach led a team of legislators and local leaders to create and pass legislation establishing a unique Economic Development District for North Central WV. Upon passage 1000 acres of previously barren land was set aside for the purpose of establishing a multi-purpose economic development project. Two months later ground was broken to create retail establishments, healthcare facility, business park, and the Monongalia County ball park, which is now home to both WVU baseball and Pirate minor league team the Black Bears.

Industrial Hemp:

Prior to the passage of the Federal Farm Bob crafted, presented, and passed a WV Senate Resolution which requested the members of the Southern Legislative Conference (SLC) to meet and provide a solution to interstate commerce of industrial hemp. In July of 2018, at the SLC of States in St. Louis, Bob defended the Senate Resolution before the Committee of Agriculture and Rural Development, followed by a unanimous vote by those representing legislative members the resolution language was adopted.

Timeline

  • 1998
    Father passed away
    Served in the WV House of Delegates
  • 1998-2008
    Monongalia County Planning Commission
  • 2000 – 2008
    Elected to the WV House of Delegates
  • 2003-2004
    Chair of Agriculture
    Served on LOCEA
    Legislative Oversight Committee on Education
    Defending WVNET to remain in Morgantown
  • 2004- 2015
    WVU Davis School of Agriculture Visitation Team
  • 2010 – present
    Elected to the WV State Senate
  • 2010-2014
    Chair of Transportation
  • SLC Andrew Young Leadership Recognition
    Friends of Animals Award
    Friend of Nurses Award
    Legislator of the Year 2014 National Nurses
    Member of the Blue Ribbon Commission
    Water Quality Legislation
    2015 Our Children Our Future
    WV Holocaust Education Commission for 15 years

PEIA Task Force

In the last legislative session the voice of public employees was heard on the PEIA issues.

The Governor put together a task force to collect information through out the state as a fact finding mission for potential paths to resolutions.
Senator Bob Beach saw a discrepancy of representation with the original task force choices. He then sought a resolution letter requesting for additional women to be placed on the task force for greater balance of representation.

WVU Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Design

Senator Beach has been an active supporter of West Virginia University. All three of Bob’s daughters are proud graduates. Two are teachers and the other is a nurse! Needless to say that Bob is a proud father of his WVU Alumni.