HB 219 directs the West Virginia General Assembly to allocate an additional $1,050,000 from the state's unspent surplus funds to the Public Defender Services for the fiscal year 2025. This funding is intended to support the department's operations and legal representation services for individuals who cannot afford attorneys. The bill does not alter the department's existing duties or eligibility criteria but simply provides extra financial resources to cover its budget needs.
This bill amends the West Virginia Code to clarify how the School Building Authority distributes state and federal funds for school construction and major improvements. It establishes specific allocation rules, reserving up to 10 percent of available funds for statewide projects and up to 5 percent for multiuse vocational-technical education facilities. The legislation also requires that projects funded under these categories be submitted directly to the authority for evaluation and must align with approved comprehensive educational facility plans. Additionally, the bill sets aside a 2 percent emergency fund and ensures that the authority considers all other funding sources before approving new projects.
This bill places a one-year pause on new fire protection fees that municipalities can charge to residents and businesses located outside their city limits. Effective from June 30, 2024, until June 30, 2025, local governments are prohibited from implementing any new charges for fire services for these non-residents, though they may still adjust existing fees. The law specifically targets the ability of towns to impose additional costs on people living in unincorporated areas or on the outskirts of cities, while allowing municipalities to continue collecting fees that were already in place before the start of the moratorium.
This bill creates a new state tax credit for West Virginia residents who claim the federal child and dependent care credit. It allows eligible taxpayers to receive a nonrefundable credit equal to 50 percent of their federal credit amount against their state personal income tax. The provision applies retroactively to tax years starting on or after January 1, 2024, and is intended to provide additional financial relief to families with childcare expenses.
HB 215 authorizes the West Virginia State Treasurer to release an additional $2.8 million from the state's general revenue surplus to the Department of Environmental Protection for fiscal year 2025. This supplemental funding is designated specifically for the Division of Environmental Protection to cover current operational expenses. The bill was passed by the legislature and signed into law by the Governor to address budget needs identified in the executive budget process.
This bill directs $9.3 million from the state's unspent surplus funds to the Office of Technology for use in fiscal year 2025. The legislation authorizes $7 million of this amount specifically for moving government resources and systems to off-site data centers and updating outdated technology to modern standards. The remaining funds are added to the office's existing budget allocation. This action allows the state to utilize available treasury money to support planned infrastructure upgrades without requiring new revenue.
HB 230 allocates an additional one million dollars from the state's general revenue surplus to the West Virginia Department of Education for fiscal year 2025. This funding is specifically designated for the "Safe Schools" program to support its operations during the year ending June 30, 2025. The bill amends existing budget records to include this new line item, ensuring the money is available for the designated spending unit.
This bill allocates an additional $1,150,000 from the state's general revenue surplus to the West Virginia Conservation Agency for fiscal year 2025. The funds are specifically designated for soil conservation projects, allowing the agency to support initiatives aimed at protecting and improving soil health across the state. By adding this new appropriation item, the legislation ensures that the agency has the necessary financial resources to carry out its conservation duties during the current fiscal year.
HB 245 directs the West Virginia State Treasury to release an additional $5 million from unspent general revenue funds to the Department of Health's Office of Emergency Medical Services for the 2025 fiscal year. This money is designated specifically to support the statewide EMS program, ensuring that emergency medical services have the necessary financial resources to operate. The bill serves as a supplementary appropriation, adding to the existing budget allocated for these services without changing the overall structure of state spending. Once enacted, the funds become available for the designated spending unit to use for its approved expenses during the fiscal year ending in June 2025.
This bill allocates an additional $2 million from the state's general revenue surplus to the West Virginia Department of Health's Office of the Inspector General for fiscal year 2025. The funds are designated specifically for current operational expenses within that agency to support its oversight and investigative activities. By adding this new line item to the existing budget, the legislation ensures the office has the necessary financial resources to continue its work without requiring further legislative action.
HB 208 establishes a new Radiation Control Act to make West Virginia an agreement state with the federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission, ensuring state regulations align with federal standards. The bill designates the West Virginia Department of Health as the primary agency responsible for licensing radioactive materials, managing radiation safety programs, and overseeing the decommissioning of facilities. It creates two specific funds to support these operations and grants the department authority to enforce rules through civil penalties and criminal charges for violations. Additionally, the legislation repeals previous state laws regarding radioactive waste storage and defines key terms related to radiation sources and safety procedures.
This bill directs the West Virginia State Treasurer to use unspent surplus funds from the state's general revenue to provide additional money to the Adjutant General and State Militia for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025. The legislation allocates specific amounts for three purposes: repairing and purchasing equipment, supporting military authority operations, and funding a program to help recruits find employment. These funds are drawn directly from the existing surplus balance in the state treasury rather than creating new revenue or borrowing money. The measure is a routine financial adjustment that ensures the state militia has the necessary resources to operate for the upcoming fiscal year.
