Budget & Taxes

signed · West Virginia · Senate Jun 25, 2026

SB 29: Providing pay increases to members of judiciary

This bill increases salaries for West Virginia judges and certain judicial staff starting July 1, 2026. It raises the annual salary for Supreme Court justices to $154,600 (from $149,600), circuit court judges to $143,600 (from $138,600), and family court judges to $113,950 (from $103,950). It also adjusts pay for family court secretary-clerks and case coordinators, with secretary-clerks receiving $44,876 annually and case coordinators capped at $56,876. The bill suspends employer contributions to the judicial retirement system until specific conditions are met.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases state spending on judicial salaries, a direct budget allocation for public services (courts) as part of fiscal management.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · West Virginia · Senate Jun 25, 2026

SB 502: Women’s Collegiate Sports Protection Act

SB 502 establishes permanent endowments to protect women’s collegiate Olympic sports programs at West Virginia’s public NCAA Division I universities. It requires that only endowment earnings - not principal - fund scholarships, coaching, equipment, and facilities for these programs. The bill creates tax credits (50% of donations) for private contributions and matching funds for institutions that document verified operational savings (e.g., energy efficiency, shared services), while prohibiting cuts to academic programs or Title IX compliance. All endowments must undergo annual audits, and institutions must report on cost savings, donations, and Title IX adherence to the state education commission.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates 50% tax credits for donations to fund women's sports programs, directly providing tax relief to incentivize private contributions toward program funding.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates permanent endowments and tax credits to fund/protect women's collegiate sports programs at public universities, directly strengthening higher education athletic funding.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · West Virginia · Senate Jun 25, 2026

SB 104: Providing certain state mine inspectors with raise

This bill provides a $5,000 salary increase to state mine inspectors, including electrical, underground, and surface mine inspectors, effective upon enactment. It directly affects these specific inspectors by adding a fixed monetary amount to their base salaries without altering their duties or qualifications. The provision applies uniformly to all inspectors covered under the relevant chapter of the state code.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill increases state spending on mine inspectors' salaries, directly funding state personnel costs within government spending framework.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill directly increases wages for state mine inspectors, advancing employment compensation within Labor & Employment framework.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · West Virginia · Senate Jun 25, 2026

SB 592: WV Short Line Railroad Modernization Act

SB 592 creates a tax credit program for West Virginia short line railroads and related infrastructure. It provides a 50% tax credit on qualified maintenance costs (capped at $5,000 per mile of track) and new infrastructure investments (capped at $2 million per project, with a $5 million annual limit). Eligible taxpayers include Class II/III railroads operating in West Virginia and owners/lessees of rail sidings or industrial spurs. Credits can be carried forward for up to five years or transferred to other taxpayers via written agreement. The bill directly supports rail infrastructure modernization by reducing costs for qualifying rail operators.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates tax credits for railroads, reducing tax liability for eligible entities through targeted fiscal incentives.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationCreates tax credits for rail infrastructure maintenance and new projects, directly funding transportation modernization within the topic's scope.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · West Virginia · Senate Jun 25, 2026

SB 194: Updating definition of "disabled veteran taxpayer"

SB 194 updates the definition of "disabled veteran taxpayer" in West Virginia's property tax law to clarify eligibility for the disabled veteran real property tax credit. The bill specifies that a qualifying veteran must have a 90% or greater service-connected disability rating from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) or meet VA eligibility for individual unemployability due to service-related injuries since September 11, 2001. This change directly affects veterans seeking the property tax credit, ensuring only those with the required VA determinations qualify. The bill does not alter the tax credit amount or eligibility for other benefits, focusing solely on refining the definition for administrative clarity.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesClarifies eligibility for disabled veteran property tax credit, providing tax relief to qualifying veterans under state tax law.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill clarifies eligibility for disabled veteran property tax credit by expanding qualifying criteria to include 90%+ VA disability rating or VA unemployability, directly strengthening veterans' tax benefits.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · West Virginia · Senate Jun 25, 2026

SB 402: Workforce Readiness and Opportunity Act

SB 402 expands West Virginia's apprenticeship tax credit to $2 per hour (capped at $2,000 annually per apprentice) for wages paid to registered apprentices in construction trades, directly benefiting employers and apprentices. It creates a new West Virginia Micro-Credential Program under the Higher Education Policy Commission to support workforce training. The bill also modifies tax rules to allow deductions for contributions to and receipts from voluntary portable benefits plans, and removes proficiency exam requirements for military-trained applicants seeking professional licenses. These changes aim to increase workforce participation and simplify licensing for veterans.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands apprenticeship tax credit ($2/hr, $2k cap) and allows tax deductions for portable benefits, providing business tax relief under Budget & Taxes.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates Micro-Credential Program under Higher Education Policy Commission for workforce training, advancing educational access and opportunity in higher education.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands apprenticeship tax credits ($2/hr capped), creates workforce training program, and allows deductions for portable benefits plans - directly advancing worker opportunity and benefits.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · West Virginia · Senate Jun 25, 2026

SB 650: Designating psychiatric hospital that treats exclusively civil and forensic patients

SB 650 amends West Virginia law to define a psychiatric hospital treating exclusively civil and forensic patients (with over 95% of its inpatient census being court-ordered forensic or civil involuntary commitments from state custody) as a "state-designated facility" for tax purposes. This change excludes such hospitals from the category of "eligible acute care hospitals" subject to a 0.75% tax on gross receipts, exempting them from this tax. The bill directly affects psychiatric hospitals in West Virginia meeting this specific patient mix requirement by altering their tax classification under the Medicaid funding structure.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts psychiatric hospitals from 0.75% tax on gross receipts, providing tax relief for designated facilities.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExempts forensic psychiatric facilities from tax, supporting infrastructure for court-ordered patients in criminal justice system.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExempts psychiatric hospitals from 0.75% tax, reducing operational costs to support mental health services for civil/forensic patients.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · West Virginia · Senate Jun 25, 2026

SB 167: Relating to meetings for local levying bodies

This bill clarifies procedures for local government bodies in West Virginia to conduct late meetings and file late reports when necessary. It also revises how reduced property tax levy rates are calculated when property appraisals result in a projected tax increase of one percent or more. The law requires these bodies to automatically reduce their levy rates proportionately to offset assessment increases, unless they hold a public hearing and demonstrate that the increase is necessary. Under the new rules, local governments can raise rates above the reduced level only if total tax revenues do not exceed the previous year's amount by more than ten percent, with specific notice requirements for public hearings. The bill directly affects county commissions and municipalities by standardizing how they handle property tax adjustments and public notification processes.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill promotes fiscal responsibility by requiring automatic tax levy reductions when property assessments increase, preventing unnecessary tax hikes on residents.75% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · West Virginia · Senate Jun 25, 2026

SB 400: Updating personal income tax definitions and provision of law relating to gaming and gambling losses

This bill updates West Virginia's personal income tax definitions to align with recent federal tax changes. It specifically preserves the ability for taxpayers to deduct gaming and gambling losses on their state returns for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2026, ensuring this deduction remains available even if federal rules change. The bill adjusts how "federal adjusted gross income" is defined for state tax purposes and sets retroactive effective dates for 2025 tax years. It directly affects West Virginia taxpayers who itemize deductions and claim gambling losses.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesPreserves tax deduction for gaming losses, maintaining existing tax relief for taxpayers and aligning with federal changes without reducing benefits.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · West Virginia · Senate Jun 24, 2026

SB 788: Supplemental appropriation to Department of Commerce, fund 0572

SB 788 adds $2 million in additional funding from unappropriated surplus funds in the General Revenue Fund to WorkForce West Virginia (fund 0572, fiscal year 2026). This supplemental appropriation directly supports WorkForce West Virginia's current operational expenses, using existing unused state funds identified in the Governor's 2026 budget. The bill does not create new programs or alter eligibility but allocates money already available in the state treasury. It is a procedural funding adjustment, not a policy change.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $2M from unappropriated surplus funds to fund existing WorkForce West Virginia operations, using unused state treasury money without new taxes or program changes. Aligns with fiscal responsibility and funding public services.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds WorkForce WV operational expenses, supporting employment services using existing surplus funds without policy changes.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes