HB 5628 requires West Virginia's Department of Human Services to develop policies that prevent the sudden loss of child care assistance when families experience modest income increases. It directly affects low-income families who would otherwise lose subsidies abruptly as their earnings rise slightly, creating instability in child care arrangements. Key provisions include implementing graduated phase-outs (so assistance decreases gradually), expanding sliding fee scales based on income, raising income thresholds for continued eligibility, and establishing transitional support periods. The department must adopt these policies by January 1, 2027, and submit annual reports on implementation to the legislature.
This bill (SB 847) redirects $70,099 from an unappropriated surplus balance in West Virginia’s General Revenue Fund to the Department of Human Services’ Foster Care program (fund 0489). The funds will be transferred to the "Bring Them Home Fund" for use during fiscal year 2026. It does not create new spending but reallocates existing unspent funds to support foster care services. The bill affects foster care programs administered by the Department of Human Services, ensuring funds are available for operational needs during the 2026 fiscal year.
SB 841 adds $30,498 to the State Board of Education's fund 3951 for the Hope Scholarship Program, using an unappropriated surplus from lottery net profits. This supplemental appropriation allocates existing lottery revenue - specifically from the surplus balance not included in the initial budget - to fund the Hope Scholarship Program during fiscal year 2026. The bill does not change the program's eligibility or structure but provides additional funding for student scholarships. The funds are designated for expenditure before June 30, 2026, as part of the state's budget process.
HB 5402 creates a refundable tax credit for West Virginia businesses operating qualified distribution centers. It allows these businesses to claim a dollar-for-dollar credit against state taxes for toll payments exceeding $150,000 made via the West Virginia EZ Pass system on ground transportation of finished, packaged retail goods. The credit requires using RFID Tag Readers or comparable systems approved by the West Virginia Parkways Authority to track eligible tolls. The credit applies to toll payments made in 2026 and future tax years, with the program effective July 1, 2026.
SB 826 is a supplementary appropriation bill that increases funding for the State Parks and Recreation Endowment Fund (fund 3211) within the Division of Natural Resources for fiscal year 2026. It raises current expenses from $13,000 to $25,000 and other assets from $69,000 to $6,500,000. This directly provides additional resources for managing West Virginia's state parks, including operations and facility maintenance during the 2026 fiscal year.
HB 5468 would allocate $5,000 per deputy sheriff position in each West Virginia county from the state's general revenue fund, to be used exclusively for raising deputy sheriff salaries. Counties receiving these funds must spend them solely on pay increases for deputies, with no flexibility for other expenses like equipment or administrative costs. This bill directly affects all West Virginia counties that employ deputy sheriffs by creating a dedicated state funding stream specifically for their salary increases.
HB 5310 allocates $78,482,003 from West Virginia's unappropriated surplus balance in the General Revenue fund to the Hope Scholarship Program for fiscal year 2026. This supplemental appropriation directly funds the Hope Scholarship Program, which provides state-funded scholarships to students attending private schools. The bill uses leftover state funds identified in the Governor's budget document, adding a new line item to the Department of Education's budget without requiring new taxes. The funds are designated for use during the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026, as specified in the bill's appropriation table.
SJR 21 proposes a constitutional amendment (designated "Amendment 1") that would require West Virginia's state government to limit annual spending increases to no more than the combined growth of the state's population plus inflation. This would directly affect state budget decisions by imposing a strict cap on how much spending can rise each year. The amendment would be submitted to voters in the 2026 general election for approval. If adopted, it would become part of the West Virginia Constitution, altering how state expenditures are managed. The resolution includes procedural steps to number and name the proposed amendment as the "Taxpayers' Bill of Rights Amendment."
HB 5586 establishes a new minimum salary schedule for classroom teachers in West Virginia, effective for the 2024-2025 school year and continuing thereafter. The bill sets specific minimum salary amounts based on teachers' years of experience (0-26+ years) and educational qualifications (Bachelor's, Master's, or Doctorate degrees). This policy change directly affects all public school classroom teachers in West Virginia by creating a standardized pay structure with different rates for various experience levels and education levels. The bill amends §18A-4-2 of the Code of West Virginia to implement this new salary framework.
This bill creates the Small Business Investment Grant Fund to provide financial support to eligible investors who make qualifying investments in West Virginia small businesses. The fund, administered by the West Virginia Small Business Financing Authority, will offer grants up to $25,000 per investment (with a maximum of $100,000 per investor) for investments made between July 2027 and January 2029. To qualify, businesses must meet specific criteria including annual gross revenues under $1 million, operation primarily within West Virginia, and no more than 50 in-state employees. Investors must hold the investment for at least two years to maintain the grant, and businesses that relocate or close within two years must repay the grant amount to the fund.
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