SB 825 West Virginia Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Supplementary appropriation to Department of Administration, fund 0226

This bill adds $17.6 million in funding to West Virginia's Public Defender Services (fund 0226) for fiscal year 2026. It allocates $2.6 million for "Public Defender Corporations" and $15 million for "Appointed Counsel Fees" using existing unappropriated surplus funds from the State Fund. The funding directly supports public defenders who represent indigent defendants in criminal cases, ensuring legal services for individuals who cannot afford private attorneys. The bill makes no new policy changes but redirects existing surplus state funds to this specific program.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
Mar 2026
Senate Passage
Feb 2026
House of Delegates Passage
Mar 2026
Signed into Law
Jun 2026
Introduced Feb 9, 2026 Signed Jun 25, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced Version Enrolled Version · 2 edits · Mar 19, 2026
MINOR
The bill was converted from a draft introduction to an enrolled final version, adding official certification signatures and a specific effective date of March 12, 2026. The substantive content regarding funding allocations for Public Defender Services remains identical to the draft, authorizing $2.6 million for corporations and $15 million for appointed counsel fees for fiscal year 2026.
Scope change
The bill's scope and applicability are unchanged; it continues to apply to the Department of Administration, Public Defender Services, fund 0226, organization 0221 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026.
TIMELINE

Added an official effective date of March 12, 2026, and certification signatures from legislative clerks and the Governor, finalizing the bill's legal status.

TECHNICAL

Replaced draft text with the formal enrolled version, including the full title of the act and standard legislative formatting.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 16, 2026 · House of Delegates Mar 12, 2026

How they voted

330
Passed
Total votes 33
Feb 16, 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
35
Key actions
7
Committee
5
Mar 19, 2026
Signed into law
Approved by Governor 3/19/2026
upper
Mar 14, 2026
Signed into law
Approved by Governor 3/19/2026 - House Journal
lower
Mar 14, 2026
Signed into law
Approved by Governor 3/19/2026 - Senate Journal
upper
Mar 12, 2026
Lower · Passed
Passed House (Roll No. 457)
lower
Mar 9, 2026
Lower · Passed
Do pass
lower
Feb 17, 2026
Committee
To House Finance
lower
Feb 17, 2026
Committee
To Finance
lower
Feb 17, 2026
Introduced
Introduced in House
lower
Feb 16, 2026
Upper · Passed
Passed Senate (Roll No. 99)
upper
Feb 11, 2026
Upper · Passed
Reported do pass
upper
Feb 9, 2026
Introduced
Introduced in Senate
upper
Feb 9, 2026
Committee
To Finance
upper
1 primary · 1 co-sponsor

Sponsors