HB 4126: To modify the funding distribution to the state park endowment fund and the State Parks Operational Fund - West Virginia

hb4126 s fin am _1 3-3 adopted.htm → Enrolled Committee Substitute · 3 edits · Mar 14, 2026

MINOR

The bill was finalized as an enrolled committee substitute, incorporating a specific amendment to the distribution of royalties from state-owned gas, oil, and mineral rights. The key policy change establishes a new funding threshold: once the State Parks and Recreation Endowment Fund balance reaches $100 million, 100% of future royalties from the Ohio River region will be used for park operations and improvements, whereas previously only 50% was mandated until that balance was reached.

Scope change

The scope of the royalty distribution rule was modified to include a specific dollar threshold ($100 million) that triggers a full allocation of funds, changing the conditional funding mechanism for state parks.

FISCAL

Added a provision stating that once the fund balance equals or exceeds $100 million, 100% of royalties from Ohio River mineral rights must be used for park operations, maintenance, and improvement.

Clarified that if the fund balance is below $100 million, the distribution of royalties remains capped at 50% until the threshold is met.

TIMELINE

Established that the new 50% distribution requirement and the $100 million threshold trigger take effect on July 1, 2026.

Engrossed Committee Substitute → hb4126 s fin am _1 3-3 adopted.htm · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill text was updated to reflect a specific amendment by the Finance Committee. The most significant change is the insertion of a clause stating that the bill's provisions apply 'Notwithstanding the provisions of §5A-11-3(a)', which overrides any conflicting rules in the existing State Parks and Recreation Endowment Fund article. Additionally, the document metadata was updated to show the bill as 'Adopted' by the committee and to include the specific amendment details, while some navigation and footer links were removed.

Scope change

The bill's applicability was explicitly expanded to override existing provisions in §5A-11-3(a) of the West Virginia Code, ensuring the new distribution rules for royalties take precedence over previous fund management rules.

REQUIREMENT

Added a specific legal override clause requiring the new distribution rules to supersede existing provisions in §5A-11-3(a).

TECHNICAL

Updated document metadata to reflect the bill as 'Adopted' and included the specific text of the Finance Committee's amendment.

Removed standard website navigation links, footer text, and contact forms from the bill view.

Committee Substitute → Engrossed Committee Substitute · 1 edit · Feb 26, 2026

MINOR

The bill text was updated to reflect its progression from a 'Committee Substitute' to an 'Engrossed Version' in the legislative process. This change indicates that the bill has been amended and approved by the House, moving it closer to final passage. No substantive policy changes, funding amounts, or legal requirements were altered in this specific update.

TECHNICAL

Updated the document title and version history to show the bill is now the 'Engrossed Version' rather than the 'Committee Substitute', reflecting its current stage in the legislative workflow.

Introduced Version → Committee Substitute · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was revised to remove specific references to the 'Ohio River and its tributaries,' broadening the scope to cover all state-owned gas, oil, and mineral royalties. Additionally, the text was reorganized to clarify that the fund's investment income is now distributed based on the board's direction rather than automatic triggers, while a new provision mandates that 50% of future royalties (starting July 1, 2026) be used for park operations unless the fund balance reaches $100 million.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded by removing the geographic limitation that previously restricted royalty distributions to lands beneath the Ohio River and its tributaries.

SCOPE

Removed the specific geographic restriction limiting the bill's application to royalties from beneath the Ohio River and its tributaries.

FISCAL

Changed the rule for investment income from automatic distribution based on fund balance to distribution at the sole discretion of the board of trustees.

Reorganized the text to separate the rules for investment income from the rules for royalty distributions, clarifying the conditions under which funds are released.

TIMELINE

Added a new requirement effective July 1, 2026, mandating that 50% of royalties be used for park operations unless the fund balance equals or exceeds $100 million.

To modify the funding distribution to the state park endowment fund and the State Parks Operational Fund

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