Finance

SB 63 amends West Virginia's charter school application rules by adding detailed requirements for new or converted public charter schools. It mandates applicants to submit specific elements including a mission statement with academic focus, student achievement goals, governance structure plans, enrollment strategies, five-year budgets, and plans for serving students with disabilities or language needs. The bill does not specifically target rural schools (despite its title), as these requirements apply broadly to all charter school applications statewide. This procedural change affects school applicants seeking approval to establish or convert public charter schools, focusing on transparency and accountability in the application process.

SB 502 establishes permanent endowments to protect women’s collegiate Olympic sports programs at West Virginia’s public NCAA Division I universities. It requires that only endowment earnings - not principal - fund scholarships, coaching, equipment, and facilities for these programs. The bill creates tax credits (50% of donations) for private contributions and matching funds for institutions that document verified operational savings (e.g., energy efficiency, shared services), while prohibiting cuts to academic programs or Title IX compliance. All endowments must undergo annual audits, and institutions must report on cost savings, donations, and Title IX adherence to the state education commission.

SB 982 creates a state program to fund improvements to public roads connecting residential neighborhoods and subdivisions to existing state roads. It establishes a special fund for projects serving at least 20 residential units (single or multifamily), with a $750,000 annual cap per project. The program excludes private roads, driveways, routine maintenance, and commercial areas, and requires annual reporting to the Legislature. The program expires after 10 years unless renewed by the Legislature.

West Virginia's SB 985 regulates kratom products by requiring businesses that grow, process, or sell them to obtain permits and verify online customers are at least 21 years old using approved age-check systems. The bill defines "kratom" as the natural leaf of the mitragyna speciosa plant (excluding food products or synthetically altered forms) and prohibits selling contaminated products or unapproved items. Selling without a permit is a misdemeanor (up to $1,000 fine or 1 year in jail) for first offenses and a felony (up to $5,000 or 5 years in prison) for repeat violations. The Department of Agriculture must enforce these rules, use a software tracking system, and notify the Tax Department of certain violations.