Relating to county economic opportunity development districts

SB 536 authorizes five specific West Virginia counties to levy a special sales tax within designated economic development districts to fund local projects. The bill permits Ohio County (Fort Henry District, 500 acres until 2054), Harrison County (Charles Pointe, 437 acres), Monongalia County (University Town Centre, 1,450 acres until 2053), Jefferson County (Hill Top House Hotel, 11 acres with special rules), and Mercer County (The Ridges, 420 acres with public hearing requirements) to collect this tax on sales of goods and services within their district boundaries. Counties must obtain legislative approval before imposing the tax, and each district has a defined sunset date (2053-2054) when it would automatically end unless terminated earlier. This tax is intended to fund local economic development without reducing state General Revenue Fund collections.