SB 644 West Virginia Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Requiring Economic Development Authority participate in federal tax credit scholarship program

This bill requires West Virginia's State Treasurer to participate in a federal tax credit scholarship program. Specifically, the Treasurer must annually identify and publish a list of qualified nonprofit scholarship organizations operating in the state by December 1st, accept applications year-round for inclusion on this list, and certify the list for federal submission. It defines eligible schools (meeting existing WV requirements) and students (eligible for public school enrollment), allowing scholarship funds to cover standard K-12 education expenses under federal rules. The bill directly affects the State Treasurer's office, scholarship organizations seeking to participate, and students receiving scholarships under the program.

Issues: ✓ Education

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Mar 2026

House of Delegates Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 28, 2026 Last action Mar 3, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

Engrossed Committee Substitute → sb644 sfat rucker _1 2-26 adopted.htm · 2 edits

MINOR

The bill's title was amended to change the responsible agency from the Economic Development Authority to the Secretary of Commerce. The substantive policy requirements, including the mandate to participate in the federal tax credit scholarship program and identify qualified organizations, remain unchanged. A new adoption status indicating the bill was adopted on February 26, 2026, was added.

Scope change

The scope of the bill's applicability changed by shifting the primary administrative responsibility from the Economic Development Authority to the Secretary of Commerce.

REQUIREMENT

The agency required to administer the federal tax credit scholarship program was changed from the Economic Development Authority to the Secretary of Commerce.

TIMELINE

A record indicating the bill was adopted on February 26, 2026, was added to the document.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 2, 2026

How they voted

29–0

Passed · 4 other

Total votes 33

Mar 2, 2026

D Democratic2

1 Yea 1

50% Yea

R Republican31

28 Yea 3

90% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 3, 2026

Committee

To House Education

lower

Mar 3, 2026

Committee

To Education

lower

Mar 3, 2026

Introduced

Introduced in House

lower

Mar 2, 2026

Upper · Passed

Title amendment adopted

upper

Mar 2, 2026

Upper · Passed

Passed Senate (Roll No. 273)

upper

Feb 27, 2026

Upper · Passed

Floor amendment adopted (Voice vote)

upper

Feb 25, 2026

Upper · Passed

Committee substitute reported

upper

Jan 28, 2026

Introduced

Introduced in Senate

upper

1 primary · 2 co-sponsors