Budget & Taxes

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

HB 5609: Relating to Good Samaritan Food Donation Act

HB 5609 creates a tax credit for retail food distributors who donate surplus food to nonprofit organizations. It allows a credit equal to 10% of the original retail value of donated food (up to $5,000 annually), applicable against business or personal income taxes. Distributors must maintain receipts proving the donation value, and the Tax Commissioner must develop rules and notify businesses about the credit. The bill directly affects food retailers and distributors by incentivizing food donations to combat waste, while nonprofits receiving the food are not directly impacted by this provision. This complements existing liability protections under West Virginia's Good Samaritan Food Donation Act.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates 10% tax credit for food donations, providing business tax relief and incentivizing charitable giving under fiscal policy.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits

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in committee · West Virginia · Senate Feb 23, 2026

SB 1063: Creating Economic Development Investment Fund

SB 1063 creates a new Economic Development Investment Fund in West Virginia's State Treasury to finance job-creating projects, support industry recruitment, fund infrastructure for large industrial users, and leverage private investment. The fund, administered by the Division of Economic Development, can provide loans, grants, or equity but cannot cover government operating costs or salary increases, with no single project receiving more than 25% of the fund balance. Entities receiving funds must sign performance agreements requiring job creation, private investment thresholds, and tax base expansion. The fund must maintain a minimum balance equal to one year of projected commitments and report annually to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates new state treasury fund to finance job-creating projects and infrastructure, directly allocating budget resources for economic development and leveraging private investment.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Incentives Tags Economic Development

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in committee · West Virginia · Senate Feb 5, 2026

SB 754: Creating Foster Care Facilities Improvement Fund

SB 754 creates a special fund called the "Foster Care Facilities Improvement Fund" to support West Virginia nonprofit organizations operating foster care facilities. The fund, financed through state appropriations, donations, and investment income, prioritizes grants for renovating, constructing, or maintaining residential childcare facilities - especially those providing psychiatric, neurodevelopmental, and trauma services. An Advisory Committee (appointed by the Department of Human Services) recommends quarterly disbursements based on identified needs, with priority given to local nonprofits improving facility access and quality. The bill ensures unspent balances roll over annually and reinvests savings from reduced out-of-state placements to expand high-quality care within the state.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates state-funded special fund (via appropriations) to finance foster care facility improvements, directly allocating budget resources to support essential public services.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly funds foster care facilities providing psychiatric and trauma services, directly supporting mental health care as part of healthcare policy.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Tags Children

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signed · West Virginia · Senate Jun 24, 2026

SB 788: Supplemental appropriation to Department of Commerce, fund 0572

SB 788 adds $2 million in additional funding from unappropriated surplus funds in the General Revenue Fund to WorkForce West Virginia (fund 0572, fiscal year 2026). This supplemental appropriation directly supports WorkForce West Virginia's current operational expenses, using existing unused state funds identified in the Governor's 2026 budget. The bill does not create new programs or alter eligibility but allocates money already available in the state treasury. It is a procedural funding adjustment, not a policy change.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $2M from unappropriated surplus funds to fund existing WorkForce West Virginia operations, using unused state treasury money without new taxes or program changes. Aligns with fiscal responsibility and funding public services.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds WorkForce WV operational expenses, supporting employment services using existing surplus funds without policy changes.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Revenue State Budget

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

HB 5565: Relating to creating the State Election Poll Clerk Reimbursement Fund Account for county poll clerks to receive a stipend of $100 per day for each day they work during early voting and/or election day for general elections.

HB 5565 creates a new State Election Poll Clerk Reimbursement Fund Account in the state treasury to pay county poll clerks a $100 daily stipend for work during early voting or election day for general elections. This directly affects county poll clerks who serve in precincts during general elections, providing them with compensation for their service. County clerks must submit individual invoices for eligible clerks within 30 days after a general election, and the Secretary of State will pay these stipends from the new fund. The bill does not change election procedures or apply to primaries or municipal elections.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates new state fund for poll clerk stipends, increasing public service funding allocation within state budget.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides daily stipend ($100) to poll clerks for election work, directly funding compensation for labor performed, aligning with labor & employment support indicators.95% confidence

Tags Elections

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signed · West Virginia · Senate Jun 25, 2026

SB 1043: Supplemental appropriation to Department of Agriculture, fund 1401

SB 1043 is a supplemental appropriation bill that adds $3 million to the West Virginia Department of Agriculture's Agriculture Fees Fund (Fund 1401) for fiscal year 2026. The funds will cover operational expenses ($2.8 million), personal services and employee benefits ($200,000), and up to $1 million for software and program-related costs as specified in SB985. This bill directly affects the Department of Agriculture by providing authorized spending authority for existing unappropriated funds. It does not create new policies but allocates previously available money to support department operations and technology needs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $3M supplemental funding to Agriculture Department for operational expenses and essential services, directly increasing budget allocation for state program funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations

in committee · West Virginia · Senate Feb 21, 2026

SB 1058: Creating Economic Freedom Zones Act

SB 1058 would establish Economic Freedom Zones in West Virginia's most distressed census tracts (defined by high unemployment and poverty rates), offering a 50% reduction in corporate and pass-through business income tax rates for all businesses and individuals operating within these zones. The bill mandates regulatory simplification by requiring two existing state rules to be repealed for every new rule in a zone and setting a 30-day deadline for permit approvals (with automatic approval if not met). To maintain fiscal responsibility, it includes a safeguard that would adjust tax rates if revenue loss exceeds 0.5% of state collections, while prohibiting targeted subsidies or preferential treatment for specific businesses. The program would expire in 2035 unless renewed by the legislature.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill reduces corporate/business income taxes by 50% in designated zones, creating tax breaks primarily for businesses (wealthy entities), weakening tax revenue and fiscal management.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Income Tax Tax Incentives Tags Economic Development

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 5, 2026

HB 5239: To increase the minimum starting salary for a teacher to $50,000

HB 5239 raises West Virginia's minimum base salary for public school teachers to $50,000 annually, directly affecting all teachers in the state's public school system. The bill amends the state's salary schedule to establish $50,000 as the new minimum starting point for all teachers, regardless of experience level or degree. This change replaces the current lowest salary tier (which was $36,597 for entry-level teachers with zero experience) with a uniform $50,000 floor across all teaching positions. The policy applies to all school districts and takes effect for the 2026-2027 school year.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases state spending on public education by raising teacher salaries from $36,597 to $50,000 annually, directly funding a public service.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationRaises minimum teacher salary from $36,597 to $50,000, directly supporting educator compensation and retention in K-12 public schools.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRaises minimum teacher salary from $36,597 to $50,000, directly increasing wages for public school teachers under Labor & Employment standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Teachers Minimum Wage

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

HB 5635: To create the Coalfield Housing Revitalization Tax Credit Act.

HB 5635 creates a 50% state tax credit for property owners who rehabilitate vacant or dilapidated residential properties in designated "coalfield" counties. The credit applies to eligible rehabilitation costs and requires properties to be used as workforce housing for educators, healthcare workers, first responders, and public employees. Projects supported by county commissions, housing authorities, or municipal redevelopment agencies receive priority. "Coalfield" counties are defined as those with historical or current economic ties to coal mining, including past or present coal-related industry activity. The bill is currently under review by the House Finance Committee.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates 50% tax credit for rehabilitating workforce housing, providing tax relief for property owners and supporting affordable housing initiatives.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates 50% tax credit for rehabilitating vacant properties into workforce housing for essential workers, directly funding affordable housing development in designated counties.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentDesignates workforce housing for educators, healthcare workers, and public employees, directly supporting their housing needs as part of employment stability and retention.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Tax Incentives Affordable Housing Housing Finance Property Taxes

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passed · West Virginia · Senate Mar 13, 2026

SB 873: Supplemental appropriation to Department of Commerce, fund 0256

This bill (SB 873) adds $388,463 to an existing budget line for the Department of Commerce's Division of Economic Development (fund 0256) to cover personal services and employee benefits during fiscal year 2026. It directly affects the Department of Commerce's Economic Development Division by providing supplemental funding for staff costs. The bill increases an existing appropriation using an unappropriated balance identified in the Governor's budget document. As a procedural funding measure, it does not change program requirements or create new policies.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAdds $388k to Commerce Department's budget for staff costs, increasing funding allocation for economic development operations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget

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