West Virginia Special Olympics Program.

HB 5575 appropriates $3.5 million from the General Revenue Fund for the West Virginia Special Olympics Program during fiscal year 2027. The funds will support county-level programming ($2 million, allocated equally to all 55 counties at ~$36,363 per county for local events and services) and state headquarters operations ($1.5 million for facilities, equipment, and statewide events). The Department of Education will administer the funds, requiring annual reports on expenditures, athlete participation, and program outcomes to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance. This bill directly affects Special Olympics athletes and local community programs across all West Virginia counties.