SB 738 West Virginia Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Clarifying eligibility for TRICARE program

SB 738 creates a West Virginia National Guard TRICARE premium reimbursement program for eligible members. It allows the state military department to reimburse National Guard members who pay premiums for TRICARE Reserve Select or TRICARE Dental coverage, subject to state-established application rules. The program stops reimbursing any portion later covered by federal government payments. This requires separate state funding approval and does not create new spending authority.

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Feb 4, 2026 Last action Feb 20, 2026

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What changed between versions

Introduced Version → Committee Substitute · 6 edits

MODERATE

The bill was revised from an Introduced Version to a Committee Substitute, which significantly clarified the program's name and administrative home. The changes formally establish the 'West Virginia National Guard TRICARE Premium Reimbursement Program' within the Adjutant General's department rather than a generic military department. Additionally, the eligibility criteria were expanded to require compliance with specific reimbursement requirements, and the funding language was updated to explicitly state that the program is not an appropriation but is subject to future legislative funding.

Scope change

The bill's scope was narrowed and clarified by specifying that the program operates within the Adjutant General's department instead of the broader military department.

DEFINITION

The section title was updated to 'National Guard Servicemember's Medical Readiness Act' with corrected capitalization.

SCOPE

The program was renamed to 'West Virginia National Guard TRICARE Premium Reimbursement Program' and explicitly established within the Adjutant General's department.

ELIGIBILITY

Eligibility now includes a third requirement: the individual must be in compliance with reimbursement requirements established by the Adjutant General.

REQUIREMENT

The Adjutant General is now required to adopt policies that specifically include reimbursement requirements and application procedures.

FISCAL

The funding clause was reworded to clarify that the act is not an appropriation and that funding is subject to appropriation by the Legislature.

TIMELINE

The effective date language was slightly rephrased from 'This act takes effect' to 'The provisions of this section shall be effective'.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Feb 20, 2026

Committee

To Finance

upper

Feb 20, 2026

Committee

Committee substitute reported, but first to Finance

upper

Feb 4, 2026

Introduced

Introduced in Senate

upper

1 primary · 1 co-sponsor