Budget & Taxes

in committee · West Virginia · Senate Feb 5, 2026

SJR 18: Elimination of Real Estate Taxes on the Permanent Residence for Certain Individuals Amendment

This Senate Joint Resolution (SJR 18) proposes a constitutional amendment to eliminate property taxes on the primary residence of West Virginia residents aged 65 or older who are state citizens. The amendment would exempt real property (including mobile homes) used as a primary residence from ad valorem taxation, but only one home per household (owner and spouse) could qualify for the exemption. Existing property appraisal and reappraisal procedures would continue under current law for all properties, including those covered by the exemption. The amendment requires legislative approval and voter ratification in the 2026 general election to take effect.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts seniors' primary residences from property taxes, providing tax relief for fixed-income households per bill's constitutional amendment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Mar 11, 2026

HB 5281: Supplemental Appropriation to the Department of Commerce-Division of Forestry from the Unappropriated Balance

HB 5281 adds $600,000 to the existing budget for the West Virginia Division of Forestry (under Department of Commerce, Fund 0250) for fiscal year 2026. It uses unspent funds from the previous fiscal year’s General Revenue account to cover current operational expenses, not new programs. This supplemental appropriation directly affects the Division of Forestry’s ability to manage forest resources during 2026 without altering existing laws or creating new requirements. The bill does not change eligibility for services or impose new obligations on citizens.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $600,000 from unspent funds to fund Division of Forestry operations, an essential program, without new taxes or altering existing laws.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds forestry operations for forest resource management, maintaining existing conservation efforts without new programs.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Revenue Forestry

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in committee · West Virginia · Senate Feb 5, 2026

SB 767: Creating needs-based assessment for EMS

SB 767 establishes a new system for distributing West Virginia's emergency medical services (EMS) funding based on actual community needs rather than equal shares. The bill requires the state health department to conduct a biennial assessment evaluating factors like call volume, response times, financial stability, rural service gaps, and equipment shortages across all EMS agencies. Funding priorities will then target areas with high call volumes, slow response times, personnel shortages, or coverage deficits in rural and underserved communities. The law includes safeguards to prevent arbitrary funding cuts and mandates annual reports to the legislature detailing assessment results and funding allocations. This replaces the current equal-funding approach with a data-driven method to ensure resources reach the most critical areas.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill restructures EMS funding allocation to target high-need areas, promoting efficient budget use for essential services. Supports fiscal management of state appropriations without tax changes.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates needs-based EMS funding system targeting high-need areas like response times and rural gaps, directly improving healthcare access and resource allocation.92% confidence

Tags Public Safety

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 9, 2026

HB 5360: Providing a cost-of-living provision for certain persons retired under the Public Employees Retirement System and the Teachers Retirement System

HB 5360 would provide cost-of-living adjustments to certain retired public employees and teachers in West Virginia. Starting July 1, 2026, retirees aged 60+ who have received retirement payments for at least five years under the Public Employees Retirement System or Teachers Retirement System would automatically receive monthly adjustments equal to the annual increase in the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' consumer price index. This change directly affects eligible retirees by linking their annuity payments to inflation. The bill does not create new benefits but modifies existing retirement payments to help offset rising living costs. The proposal is currently under review by the House Finance Committee.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates automatic annual state spending increases for retiree benefits tied to CPI, directly expanding budget allocation for retirement programs.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Pensions

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in committee · West Virginia · Senate Feb 23, 2026

SB 1075: Funding Tobacco Use Cessation Initiative

SB 1075 creates a dedicated "Tobacco Cessation Initiative Program Special Revenue Account" in West Virginia's state treasury, managed by the Bureau for Public Health. It directs $5 million annually - starting July 2026 - from interest earned on the Revenue Shortfall Reserve Fund to fund tobacco use cessation programs. The bill specifies these funds must be used exclusively for cessation services, such as counseling and nicotine replacement therapies, administered by the Bureau for Public Health. This initiative directly affects West Virginians seeking tobacco cessation support through state-funded programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $5M annually from interest earnings to fund tobacco cessation programs, directly supporting public health funding through dedicated budget allocation.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates $5M annually to public health tobacco cessation programs, directly funding counseling and nicotine therapies through the Bureau for Public Health.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Public Health

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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

Sub-Topics Revenue Substance Abuse Homelessness

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in committee · West Virginia · Senate Feb 2, 2026

SB 710: Eliminating double taxation on foreign income at state level

SB 710 allows West Virginia residents who pay income tax to foreign countries on foreign earnings to claim a credit against their West Virginia state income tax. This prevents double taxation by reducing the state tax owed on that foreign income, applying only when federal tax rules would otherwise cause duplicate taxation. The credit covers income taxed by foreign governments and is available for taxable years through July 1, 2070, after which it expires. The bill directly affects West Virginia residents with foreign-sourced income who paid taxes to other countries.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesPrevents double taxation on foreign income via state tax credit, reducing resident tax burden and aligning with federal rules, strengthening tax fairness.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 17, 2026

HJR 41: Amending section 22 of article VI thereof, relating to amending the annual 60-day regular session provisions to provide every other year for a 30-day session for the sole purpose of passing a state budget, and every other year a 60-day general law session in which any legislation may be considered

HJR 41 proposes a constitutional amendment to change West Virginia's legislative session schedule. It would alternate between a 60-day general session (every other year) where any bill can be considered, and a 30-day session (the following year) limited solely to passing the state budget. During 30-day sessions, lawmakers could only address budget-related matters unless the Governor issues a proclamation or a two-thirds vote of both chambers allows other business. The amendment aims to shorten legislative sessions every other year, with the stated purpose of "saving taxpayers money" by reducing session length. This is a procedural constitutional change affecting how the state legislature organizes its work and budget process.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesStreamlines budget process via dedicated 30-day sessions, promoting fiscal efficiency without altering tax/funding levels.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 5, 2026

HB 5272: Appropriations from the state Revenue Shortfall Fund and the Income Tax Reserve Fund be utilized to initiate investments in flood prevention initiatives to reduce the impact of severe flooding

HB 5272 allocates $250 million from West Virginia's Revenue Shortfall Fund ($100 million) and Income Tax Reserve Fund ($150 million) to establish a Flood Resiliency Trust Fund for proactive flood prevention. The fund will directly support communities vulnerable to flooding by financing infrastructure and initiatives to reduce future flood impacts. Key provisions require annual expenditure reports from the State Resiliency Officer, approval by the State Resiliency Office Board, and a 6% dedication of federal disaster recovery funds toward flood resiliency planning. This one-time funding jumpstarts the State Resiliency and Flood Protection Act without requiring ongoing annual appropriations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $250M from existing state funds (Revenue Shortfall & Income Tax Reserve) to fund flood prevention infrastructure, a public service initiative using fiscal resources responsibly.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Government Spending Income Tax Revenue

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 17, 2026

HCR 20: Designating the City of Gary water and wastewater systems for emergency intervention under the State Utility Accountability and Improvement Program.

HCR 20 designates Gary's water and wastewater systems for emergency state intervention under West Virginia's utility program, directly affecting Gary residents who face aging infrastructure, water quality issues, and financial instability. The resolution requires a state team to conduct an emergency assessment within seven days, classifies the systems as Tier 4 (highest emergency tier), and prioritizes them for up to $3 million in emergency repairs from the Distressed Utilities Account. It mandates monthly progress reports to the legislature and sets a 6-month preliminary evaluation, serving as a pilot for the state's utility intervention program. The resolution does not delay ongoing Public Service Commission ownership proceedings for the systems.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $3M from Distressed Utilities Account for emergency infrastructure repairs, directly funding public utility services per state fiscal program.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAddresses water quality issues via emergency repairs to prevent contamination, directly protecting environmental resources and public health.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

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