Budget & Taxes

signed · West Virginia · Senate Jun 24, 2026

SB 791: Supplemental appropriation to Department of Homeland Security, fund 0443

SB 791 increases the existing fiscal year 2026 appropriation for the West Virginia Division of Emergency Management (fund 0443) by $13,000, raising the total to $243,000. This supplemental funding directly affects the Division of Emergency Management's operational budget for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026. The bill uses an unappropriated balance remaining in the State Fund, General Revenue, as identified in the Governor's budget document. It does not create new policies or programs but adjusts an existing funding allocation for emergency management operations. The change is limited to the Division of Emergency Management's current expenses account.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases operational budget for Emergency Management via supplemental appropriation, supporting essential program funding within state budget framework85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

signed · West Virginia · Senate Jun 24, 2026

SB 785: Supplemental appropriation to Department of Health, fund 5163

SB 785 adds $800,000 in supplemental funding to the West Virginia Department of Health's Laboratory Services Fund (Fund 5163) for fiscal year 2026. It allocates $250,000 for staff salaries and benefits, $250,000 for equipment, and $300,000 for operational costs. This bill directly affects the Department of Health's laboratory operations by providing additional budget authority from unspent funds. As a procedural funding measure, it does not create new policies or programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $800k supplemental funding to Health Department lab operations, increasing budget authority for essential services.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

vetoed · West Virginia · House of Delegates Apr 2, 2026

HB 5074: Relating to changing the allocation of proceeds in the Medical Cannabis Program Fund.

HB 5074 changes how revenue from West Virginia's medical cannabis program is allocated. For fiscal year 2026, it directs $3 million to the Supreme Court for a child protection pilot, $10 million each to West Virginia University and Marshall University for ibogaine research, and $5 million to homelessness services, with remaining funds reverting to general revenue. Starting July 1, 2026, annual allocations will be: 15% to the Medical Cannabis Bureau for administration, 15% to the Department of Agriculture for cannabis testing, and 45% split among the Fight Substance Abuse Fund (20%), university research (10% each to Marshall and WVU), a Child Protection Commission (10%), and law enforcement training programs (40%). These changes apply to ongoing revenue from medical cannabis taxes, not new taxes or fees.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates cannabis program revenue to child protection, university research, and homelessness services, advancing funding for public programs and fiscal management.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates $10M to universities for ibogaine research (addiction treatment), directly funding mental health services within healthcare.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill allocates $5 million to homelessness services, directly addressing housing needs through funding for housing-related support programs.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

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passed both · West Virginia · House of Delegates Mar 13, 2026

HB 5687: Relating to reducing the tax rate imposed on the gross value of metallurgical coal produced in this state

This bill reduces the severance tax rate on metallurgical coal produced in West Virginia, affecting coal mining companies that extract this type of coal. The new rates will take effect in stages starting July 1, 2026, lowering the tax from 5% to 4.5% for the first year, then to 4% the following year, and finally to 3.5% beginning July 1, 2028. Metallurgical coal is defined as coal used for making steel and other metals, distinct from thermal coal used for electricity generation. The tax reduction applies to the gross value of coal produced and includes additional local taxes that are normally part of the total severance tax.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill reduces severance tax rates on metallurgical coal, decreasing state revenue from this industry and limiting government fiscal capacity.95% confidence ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill reduces severance tax on metallurgical coal, a fossil fuel, which favors fossil fuel extraction over renewable energy development.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

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failed · West Virginia · House of Delegates Mar 4, 2026

HB 5652: Relating to the hotel occupancy tax

HB 5652 would amend West Virginia's hotel occupancy tax law to expand the definition of "hotel" to include campground sites. This change would allow county commissions to designate specific campgrounds as "hotels" for tax collection, requiring that any tax collected from these sites be specifically earmarked for public safety services within the county. The bill also clarifies key terms like "hotel operator" and "hotel room" to define the tax's scope more precisely. This amendment would directly affect campground operators (who might become liable for the tax if designated) and county governments (which would collect and allocate the funds). The proposal aims to extend the tax base to cover campgrounds while ensuring revenue supports public safety.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands hotel tax base to fund public safety services via earmarked revenue, directly allocating tax collections to essential county services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

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passed · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 24, 2026

HB 4500: Permitting the Berkeley County Commission to levy a special district excise tax for the benefit of the Berkeley County Economic Opportunity Development District under certain conditions.

HB 4500 authorizes Berkeley County Commission to levy a special excise tax on sales of tangible personal property and services within the Berkeley County Economic Opportunity Development District. This tax would fund economic development initiatives in the designated district, directly affecting businesses operating within its boundaries and residents who purchase taxable goods or services there. The bill specifies that the district will remain active until 2054, unless terminated earlier under existing law, and aligns with similar provisions for other counties’ economic districts. The tax is limited to sales within the district’s defined boundaries and must be approved through required legislative processes.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAuthorizes new excise tax to fund economic development initiatives, directly increasing tax revenue for targeted fiscal purposes within a designated district.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

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passed · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 20, 2026

HB 4574: Relating to providing for condition-based emergency funding for a financially distressed county.

HB 4574 creates a "Temporary Shortfall Supplement Fund" to provide emergency loans (not grants) to West Virginia counties with reserve funds below 5% of available funding. It directly affects county school boards and their financial officers, allowing loans for personnel and essential operating expenses during fiscal shortfalls. Key provisions require counties to repay funds per a set timeline, implement strict financial reporting via WVEIS, adopt the State Auditor’s fiscal system within 45 days, and face penalties for "maladministration" (e.g., failing to maintain reserves or submitting inaccurate financial data), including potential job bans for responsible employees in public education finance roles for two years.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesPromotes fiscal responsibility via accountable emergency loans for counties with low reserves, requiring repayment and strict financial reporting to prevent misuse.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides emergency loans to counties to cover school personnel and operations during fiscal shortfalls, preventing defunding of K-12 education programs.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

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