HB 5682 redirects $72 million in unused funds from previous fiscal years to support biomedical research at West Virginia medical schools. It expires $37 million from the 2023 Governor’s Civil Contingent Fund and $35 million from the 2017 fund, adding these to the General Revenue surplus for the 2026 fiscal year. The funds are specifically allocated to: $30 million for Marshall University School of Medicine, $5 million for West Virginia University Dental School, $32 million for West Virginia University School of Medicine, and $5 million for the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine. This supplemental appropriation expands biomedical research capacity without creating new taxes or spending.
HB 5307 adds $10 million in funding from West Virginia's unappropriated surplus balance to the Division of Culture and History within the Department of Tourism for fiscal year 2026. This supplemental appropriation directly affects the division's ability to fund cultural programs, historical preservation, and related activities. The funds will be used for operational expenses during the 2026 fiscal year, as specified in the state budget's surplus allocation.
HB 5288 provides additional funding to West Virginia's existing Spay Neuter Assistance Fund, which helps low-income pet owners cover spaying and neutering costs for their animals. The bill supplements an unappropriated balance from the 2026 fiscal year budget to increase the fund's allocation without changing program eligibility or requirements. This is a procedural funding adjustment, not a new policy, and directly supports the state's veterinary assistance program for pet sterilization. The fund operates under West Virginia Code Chapter 19, continuing existing services for qualifying residents.
HB 5317 allocates $20 million from West Virginia's unappropriated surplus funds to the Department of Commerce's Division of Natural Resources for fiscal year 2026. This supplemental funding specifically supports capital outlay, repairs, and equipment within the Division's existing budget (Fund 0265). It does not create new programs or change policy, but rather uses leftover state funds to address operational needs for natural resource management. The bill directly affects the Division of Natural Resources' ability to maintain infrastructure and equipment during the 2026 fiscal year.
HB 5214 requires parents who have been legally found to have abused or neglected their child to pass a lab-confirmed drug test before their child can return home from foster care. The test covers alcohol and specific drugs (including opioids, cocaine, and marijuana), and a positive result without a valid prescription or medical marijuana card blocks reunification. If a parent fails the initial test, the court must hold a hearing within 10 days. This policy directly affects parents seeking to reunify with children after substantiated abuse or neglect cases in West Virginia.
HB 5612 removes the requirement for the state to establish market value for properties on the West Virginia State Capitol Complex. It amends a law requiring state agencies to identify unused or underused properties and report them to the Real Estate Division for review. The bill does not change the process for valuing other state-owned properties, only specifically exempts Capitol Complex properties from the market valuation requirement. This directly affects state agencies managing Capitol Complex properties and the Real Estate Division’s annual property review process.
HB 5353 requires virtual currency kiosks (machines for buying/selling digital currencies like Bitcoin) to obtain a money transmission license, bringing them under the same regulatory framework as traditional money transfer services. The bill sets daily transaction limits for all customers and mandates clear disclosures about terms, risks, and fees before transactions occur. It also clarifies that kiosks operate as delegates of licensed money transmitters and resolves conflicts between state and federal money transmission laws. This law directly affects kiosk operators and their customers in West Virginia.
HB 5685 authorizes up to $150 million in bonds to fund improvements at the West Virginia Science and Culture Center and other state historical sites acquired for preserving West Virginia history. The bill creates a dedicated "Cultural Center Improvements Revenue Debt Service Fund" to be financed annually by $12 million from the State Excess Lottery Revenue Fund (starting fiscal year 2026), with bonds maturing within 20 years. The Economic Development Authority must issue these bonds to cover capital improvements, and the fund will prioritize debt service payments. This directly affects the Science and Culture Center, other historical sites, and taxpayers through lottery revenue allocations.
HB 4191 increases the tax credit available to West Virginia employers who provide on-site child care for their employees. The bill expands the credit to cover costs of building, improving, or operating qualifying child care facilities, including furniture and equipment. Employers can claim this credit for five years after the facility is first used, provided the facility primarily serves employees' children and meets ownership requirements. This directly affects West Virginia employers operating on-site child care programs, reducing their state tax burden for these expenses.
HB 4452 removes specific land ownership limits for religious organizations in West Virginia. It eliminates current restrictions that cap church-owned land at 10 acres within cities/towns and 60 acres outside those areas. The bill amends state law to allow religious groups to own any amount of land without these acreage limits. This change directly affects churches, congregations, and religious organizations operating within the state. The policy shift removes a longstanding legal restriction on property ownership by religious entities.
HB 4106 would allow West Virginia residents aged 18 to 20 to carry concealed handguns without a license in specific lawful situations, such as on their own property, while traveling to or from a hunting site, or transporting a firearm to a repair shop. The bill repeals the current requirement for a license and the criminal penalty for carrying without one for this age group, while clarifying that minors under 18 who carry unlawfully may be treated as delinquents. It does not change the existing license requirement for residents aged 21 and older. This bill directly affects 18- to 20-year-olds by removing barriers to concealed carry in the specified scenarios.
HB 4395 requires school boards to continue investigations into allegations that school personnel harmed student safety or welfare, even if the employee resigns or transfers to another school. It mandates that investigations must be completed regardless of the employee's employment status, and county superintendents must report all such cases - including reasons for suspension - to the state superintendent within seven business days. The state superintendent will maintain a confidential database of all investigated personnel, including the basis for investigations or disciplinary actions. This bill directly affects school personnel, school boards, and county superintendents by ensuring ongoing accountability for potential child safety violations.
