HB 5686 West Virginia House of Delegates · 2026 Regular Session

Relating to the timing of payments of annually required deposit into an eligible recipient’s Hope Scholarship account

HB 5686 changes the timing for annual deposits into West Virginia's Hope Scholarship accounts. Starting July 1, 2026, the total annual deposit must be paid in four equal installments: by August 15, October 15, January 15, and April 15 each year. This replaces the previous single annual payment requirement under §18-31-6(d). The bill directly affects Hope Scholarship recipients who receive these annual deposits. The change aims to provide more consistent funding throughout the year.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
Mar 2026
House of Delegates Passage
Mar 2026
Senate Passage
Mar 2026
Signed into Law
Jun 2026
Introduced Feb 27, 2026 Signed Jun 29, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

hb5686 sfa barrett _1 3-9 adopted.htm Enrolled Version · 3 edits · Mar 30, 2026
MINOR
The bill was finalized into its Enrolled Version, removing draft amendment notes and adding standard legislative signatures and certification language. The core policy remains unchanged: starting July 1, 2026, the West Virginia Hope Scholarship Program will split annual deposits into four quarterly payments due by August 15, October 15, January 15, and April 15.
Scope change
No change to the bill's scope or applicability; the text reflects the final enacted version rather than a draft amendment.
TECHNICAL

Removed draft amendment notation indicating a proposed strike of the word 'any' from a previous version.

Added standard enrolled bill elements, including the full act title, certification signatures for the Clerks of the House and Senate, and the Governor's signature line.

TIMELINE

The effective date is confirmed as 90 days from passage (June 12, 2026), with the new payment schedule beginning July 1, 2026.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 10, 2026 · House of Delegates Mar 4, 2026

How they voted

330
Passed
Total votes 33
Mar 10, 2026
D Democratic2
2 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican31
31 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
40
Key actions
9
Committee
3
Amendments
3
Mar 30, 2026
Signed into law
Approved by Governor 3/27/2026
lower
Mar 14, 2026
Signed into law
Approved by Governor 3/27/2026 - Senate Journal
upper
Mar 14, 2026
Signed into law
Approved by Governor 3/27/2026 - House Journal
lower
Mar 14, 2026
Lower · Passed
House concurred in Senate amendment and passed bill (Roll No. 700)
lower
Mar 10, 2026
Upper · Passed
Passed Senate (Roll No. 418)
upper
Mar 9, 2026
Upper · Passed
Floor amendment adopted (Voice vote)
upper
Mar 6, 2026
Upper · Passed
Reported do pass, with amendment and title amendment
upper
Mar 5, 2026
Committee
To Finance
upper
Mar 5, 2026
Introduced
Introduced in Senate
upper
Mar 4, 2026
Lower · Passed
Passed House (Roll No. 340)
lower
Mar 3, 2026
Introduced
Amendment ruled not germane
lower
Mar 3, 2026
Amended
Amendment rejected (Roll No. 276)
lower
Mar 3, 2026
Introduced
Amendment reported by the Clerk
lower
Feb 27, 2026
Lower · Passed
Do pass
lower
Feb 27, 2026
Introduced
Introduced in House
lower
1 primary · 6 co-sponsors

Sponsors