Budget & Taxes (Tax Incentives)

in committee · West Virginia · Senate Feb 12, 2026

SB 761: Relating to in-state production of value-added forest products

This bill creates tax credits for West Virginia manufacturers that transform locally harvested wood into finished "value-added" products like plywood, wood pellets, or engineered lumber. It provides tiered credits ($1.25-$3 per ton) based on the volume of West Virginia-sourced wood processed, with higher rates for new facilities or expansions ($2.50-$6 per ton) for five years. To qualify, manufacturers must meet a "minimum transformation standard" (e.g., altering wood’s structure), avoid basic handling like debarking, and self-report production data. Credits are capped at $1.25 million annually per facility and apply to corporate or personal income tax. The law aims to incentivize local processing of forest resources while preventing credits for raw log handling.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates tax credits ($1.25-$6/ton) for manufacturers processing local wood, reducing business tax liability to incentivize economic development and local production.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Incentives

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 26, 2026

HB 5474: Gateway to the Gorge Outdoor Recreation Industry Act

HB 5474 creates a tax credit for businesses in West Virginia's outdoor recreation industry located between Charleston and the New River Gorge. The bill directly affects qualifying outdoor recreation businesses operating in this specific corridor, including those offering activities like hiking, biking, and fishing. It establishes a tax credit to reduce business taxes for eligible operations, aiming to encourage economic growth and job creation in the region. The legislation cites the area's natural resources, transportation access, and appeal to remote workers as key reasons for this incentive.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates tax credit for qualifying outdoor recreation businesses, reducing their tax burden to stimulate regional economic growth and job creation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Tax Credits Tax Incentives

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 17, 2026

HB 5668: Establishing the Central West Virginia Economic Development and Rural Revitalization Act

HB 5668 establishes the Central West Virginia Economic Development and Rural Revitalization Program to address economic challenges in eight specific counties: Webster, Clay, Braxton, Roane, Calhoun, Wirt, Lewis, and Gilmer. The bill creates a state program within the Department of Commerce that provides grants, loans, and technical assistance for projects like business development, infrastructure improvements, broadband expansion, and tourism initiatives. It also introduces a 25% tax credit for businesses making qualified investments in the region that create or retain full-time jobs. Projects must be located in the designated counties and prioritize job creation, private funding leverage, and support for economically distressed communities.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIntroduces 25% tax credit for qualifying projects, providing tax relief to stimulate rural economic development and fund program initiatives.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly includes 'broadband expansion' as eligible project for state grants/loans, directly advancing internet access infrastructure in rural areas.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill funds 'infrastructure improvements' as part of economic development program, directly supporting transportation infrastructure projects in specified counties.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Tax Incentives Broadband Access Tags Economic Development Rural Communities

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 4, 2026

HB 5177: Sales tax rebate for qualifying materials used in the construction of modest homes of 1 600 square feet or less

HB 5177 creates a state sales tax rebate for builders constructing modest homes under 1,600 square feet in West Virginia. The bill provides a rebate equal to the state's 6% sales tax paid on qualifying building materials purchased from in-state suppliers, subject to strict fixed quantity limits (e.g., 174 sheets of sheathing, 475 pieces of lumber). Builders must use only specified materials, retain documentation for 60 months, and receive approval after the home is sold and inspected. The rebate excludes municipal taxes unless a municipality voluntarily participates, and materials like basement finishes or out-of-state purchases are ineligible.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides sales tax rebate for builders of modest homes, offering tax relief to support affordable housing construction under 1,600 sq ft.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProvides tax rebate to builders of modest homes under 1,600 sq ft, reducing construction costs to increase affordable housing supply.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Tax Incentives

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in committee · West Virginia · Senate Feb 24, 2026

SB 939: Creating WV Reshoring Manufacturing Act

SB 939 creates a tax credit for West Virginia businesses that replace imported goods with locally manufactured products. Eligible businesses - those purchasing goods for resale or use in WV - can claim a nonrefundable credit equal to 10% of the verified value of imported goods they stop buying and replace with goods from qualified WV manufacturers. The credit requires verification by an independent CPA through an "reshoring activity verification report" to confirm the value of goods replaced and ongoing purchases. This program aims to reduce reliance on foreign imports (noted as $4.8 billion in 2024) by incentivizing local manufacturing, workforce growth, and economic activity within the state.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates 10% tax credit for businesses replacing imports with local goods, reducing tax liability for eligible entities under taxation policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Tax Credits Tax Incentives

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signed · West Virginia · Senate Jun 25, 2026

SB 749: Relating to county economic opportunity development districts

SB 749 authorizes four West Virginia counties - Ohio, Harrison, Monongalia, and Jefferson - to levy a special sales tax on businesses within designated economic development districts. The bill specifically approves taxes for the Fort Henry District (500 acres in Ohio County), Charles Pointe District (437 acres in Harrison County), University Town Centre District (1,450 acres in Monongalia County), and a Jefferson County district (unspecified acreage). Each district’s tax authority expires in 2053 or 2054, unless terminated earlier under existing law. The bill ensures these taxes won’t reduce state general revenue by requiring individual legislative approval for each district’s tax authorization. This directly affects businesses operating within these defined areas, with tax revenue funding local economic development initiatives.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAuthorizes new county-level sales tax for economic development districts, increasing tax authority to fund local economic initiatives and fiscal management.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Sales Tax Tax Incentives Tags Economic Development

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 16, 2026

HB 5606: Establishing the “Stay in State” tax credit

HB 5606 establishes a tax credit for West Virginia residents who remain in-state after graduating from a West Virginia college or university. The credit allows individuals or their employers to reduce their personal income tax liability by up to 50-75% of eligible student loan payments made while working in West Virginia (based on degree level and transfer status). It covers loans included in the graduate's original financial aid package, requires payments to be made during residency, and permits unused credits to carry forward for up to 10 years. This policy directly affects recent WV graduates and their employers, aiming to incentivize retention in the state through tax relief on student debt.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax credit reducing income tax liability for graduates staying in-state, aligning with tax relief support for education retention.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationTax credit reduces student loan burden for in-state graduates, supporting higher education retention and access through financial incentives.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits Tax Incentives Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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in committee · West Virginia · Senate Feb 10, 2026

SB 706: Modifying severance tax on newly drilled oil and natural gas wells

SB 706 modifies West Virginia's severance tax for oil and natural gas producers by temporarily reducing the tax rate for newly drilled wells. It lowers the tax rate to 3% (from 5%) for 24 months starting from the first sale of natural gas or oil from wells drilled after June 30, 2026. This applies specifically to newly completed wells, while existing wells and other production types maintain their standard rates (2.5% or 5% depending on production volume and drilling method). The bill directly affects oil and gas producers who drill new wells after the effective date, offering a short-term tax incentive to encourage new development. The change is part of the state's severance tax structure under §11-13A-3a of the West Virginia Code.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesTemporarily reduces severance tax revenue for oil producers, decreasing state budget income from a key tax source.90% confidence ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyReduces severance tax for new oil/gas wells, lowering costs for fossil fuel producers and favoring fossil fuels over renewables.95% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentReduces severance tax for new oil/gas wells, incentivizing increased extraction without environmental safeguards, prioritizing industry over environmental protection.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Tax Incentives Oil & Gas

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 10, 2026

HB 5389: Veterans Housing Redevelopment Tax Credit Act

HB 5389 creates a 30% transferable tax credit for nonprofit organizations that convert existing hotels, motels, or commercial buildings into housing for homeless veterans. The credit covers 30% of qualified redevelopment costs (like renovation and infrastructure) but excludes land acquisition, and can be applied against corporate income, personal income, or business franchise taxes. Nonprofits can sell or transfer the unused credit to other taxpayers to generate funding, with credits carrying forward up to 10 years. This aims to incentivize supportive housing without creating new state spending or entitlements, targeting veterans facing homelessness through adaptive reuse of underutilized properties.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates 30% transferable tax credit to fund veteran housing, promoting fiscal responsibility via tax incentives for public service without direct state spending.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates tax credit for nonprofits to convert buildings into housing for homeless veterans, directly advancing affordable housing development for a vulnerable population through funding incentives.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransCreates 30% tax credit for nonprofits converting buildings into housing for homeless veterans, directly funding housing benefits and advancing veteran services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Tax Credits Tax Incentives Affordable Housing Housing Finance Property Taxes Veteran Education Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 11, 2026

HB 5432: Relating to establishing disaster repair and recovery effort tax credit for taxpayers subject to the severance and business privilege tax in certain circumstances

HB 5432 creates a tax credit for West Virginia taxpayers subject to the severance and business privilege tax who spend money on disaster repair and recovery efforts, such as debris removal, public infrastructure repairs, and emergency services after events like hurricanes or floods. The credit covers qualified costs for labor, materials, and services directly tied to disaster recovery, excluding purchases above fair market value. Taxpayers must apply for the credit through a specific process, with unused credits allowed to be carried forward or transferred to successors. This policy aims to incentivize private sector participation in disaster recovery by reducing tax liabilities for eligible expenses.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates tax credit reducing liability for businesses under severance tax for disaster recovery costs, providing targeted tax relief.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Tax Incentives Tags Emergency Management

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