Budget & Taxes

in committee · West Virginia · Senate Feb 9, 2026

SB 847: Supplemental Appropriation to Department of Human Services, fund 0489

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects $70k surplus funds to foster care program, funding essential public service without new spending.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Revenue

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signed · West Virginia · Senate Jun 25, 2026

SB 841: Supplemental Appropriation to State Board of Education, fund 3951

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates existing lottery surplus to fund Hope Scholarship Program, increasing public education funding without new taxes or program changes.92% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAdds $30,498 to Hope Scholarship Program via lottery surplus, increasing funding for student scholarships without altering eligibility, directly supporting educational access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Government Spending State Budget Student Financial Aid

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

HB 5402: Relating to creating a Distribution Center Refundable Toll Payments Tax Credit Act.

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates refundable tax credit for businesses, reducing tax burden via toll payment relief - aligns with tax relief support indicator.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Tax Credits Tax Incentives

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signed · West Virginia · Senate Jun 25, 2026

SB 826: Supplementary appropriation to Division of Natural Resources, fund 3211

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases funding for state parks operations/maintenance via supplementary appropriation, directly advancing public service funding within budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill increases funding for State Parks and Recreation Endowment Fund to enhance park operations and maintenance, directly supporting environmental conservation and natural resource management.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Parks & Recreation

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 12, 2026

HB 5468: Allotting counties $5,000 per deputy position to only be used for deputy pay raises

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates state funds exclusively for deputy sheriff pay raises, increasing public safety spending within budget constraints.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds deputy sheriff pay raises exclusively, directly supporting law enforcement resource allocation within criminal justice system.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Law Enforcement

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 6, 2026

HB 5310: Supplemental Appropriation to the Department of Education - Hope Scholarship Program from the Unappropriated Surplus Balance.

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesUses unappropriated surplus to fund scholarships without new taxes, aligning with fiscal responsibility and program funding per budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates $78M from surplus to Hope Scholarship Program, expanding K-12 educational access via private school funding.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Revenue State Budget Student Financial Aid

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

HB 5586: Relating to granting an across-the-board raise for all classroom teachers.

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates state budget allocation for teacher salary increases, directly funding public education through increased state spending.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes mandatory minimum salary increases for teachers based on experience/education, directly supporting educator compensation and retention in K-12 education.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates minimum salary increases for teachers based on experience/education, directly raising wages for classroom educators under employment standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 3, 2026

HB 5134: Small Business Investment Grant Fund

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates new state fund for small business investments via grants, representing direct government spending to support economic development and business growth.90% confidence

Tags Small Business

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in committee · West Virginia · Senate Feb 11, 2026

SJR 20: Fire and Emergency Services Excess Levy Majority Approval Amendment

This bill proposes a constitutional amendment to lower the voter approval threshold for local tax increases dedicated exclusively to fire protection or emergency medical services. Currently, most local tax hikes require 60% voter approval, but this amendment would allow such increases to pass with a simple majority (50% plus one vote) instead. The change would apply only to fire and EMS funding, with strict limits: increases could not exceed 50% over current rates, would last no longer than three years, and would require separate voter approval each time. This aims to streamline funding for critical emergency services while maintaining higher approval standards for other local tax increases.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesLowers voter threshold for fire/EMS tax increases, enabling easier funding of essential public services through local taxes with strict limits.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill enables lower voter approval for local tax hikes dedicated to EMS (emergency medical services), directly funding a healthcare service under public health programs.85% confidence

Tags Public Safety

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 13, 2026

HB 5503: Relating to providing a $5,000 salary increase to certain inspectors.

HB 5503 would provide a $5,000 annual salary increase to state mine inspectors, including electrical, underground, and surface mine inspectors, as defined in the existing law. The bill directly affects these specific inspectors by increasing their base pay on the effective date of the law. Key provisions require the salary adjustment to apply to all inspector categories covered under the current mine safety chapter. The bill focuses solely on the concrete policy change of raising salaries, with no additional provisions or program requirements.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill increases state spending on mine inspectors' salaries, directly allocating budget funds for salary adjustments under fiscal management.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill increases base pay by $5,000 for mine inspectors, directly advancing wages for a specific labor group under Labor & Employment.90% confidence

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