HB 5455 directs all mandatory fees from special license plates in West Virginia to the State Road Fund for road maintenance. It adds a voluntary donation option at registration or renewal, allowing drivers to contribute to programs related to their plate's theme (e.g., military, education, or environmental causes). Donations must be clearly marked as optional, separate from fees, and distributed only to the designated program. The bill requires the DMV to disclose these details to applicants and report annual fee and donation totals to the legislature. This affects all drivers purchasing special license plates and ensures road funding remains primary while offering optional support for themed causes.
HB 5269 creates two tax credits for West Virginia residents aged 18-40 who are college graduates. It provides a credit equal to accumulated student loan interest (or up to $1,000 annually for graduates without debt) and a refundable child care credit tied to federal dependent care deductions. To qualify, taxpayers must reside in West Virginia for at least three years and have student loan debt (or be debt-free). The credits apply to tax years beginning January 1, 2026, reducing state income tax liability for eligible individuals.
SB 713 would provide a 10 percent pay raise for all public school staff in West Virginia, including teachers and other school employees. The bill amends state law to update the minimum salary schedule for educators, setting new base pay levels based on experience and education for the 2024-2025 school year and beyond. This change requires state funding to cover the increased costs for public school districts. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Education and Finance committees.
HB 5329 would allow West Virginia counties to use up to 25% of impact fees (fees charged to developers for new construction) for operational costs, such as maintaining roads and public services, instead of only for specific infrastructure projects. The bill creates an "operational sinking fund" that can cover all county operations except schools, and existing impact fees already collected can be redirected to this fund. It takes effect immediately upon passage. This change directly affects counties managing development fees and developers paying those fees.
HB 5460, the Construction Cost Relief Act, provides a sales tax rebate for construction materials used in new single-family homes built for residential ownership in West Virginia. The rebate covers up to 30% of the home's sale price (or construction loan amount if the builder occupies the home), calculated using a county-specific housing index relative to the state average. Homeowners and builders must claim the refund within one year of construction completion using state forms, and the refund cannot be transferred to another party. This law applies only to new construction starting on or after July 1, 2026.
HB 5651 creates a statewide program to support West Virginia microbusinesses (defined as businesses with 9 or fewer employees). It establishes a permanent state fund to provide grants for training, equipment, and microloans through partner organizations, while requiring state agencies to pay certified microbusiness vendors within 15 days for goods or services. The bill also mandates simplified compliance guides for small businesses when new rules affect them and encourages awarding small state contracts to certified microbusinesses. This program prioritizes rural areas, veteran-owned businesses, and entrepreneurs lacking traditional financing access.
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HB 5293 is a procedural bill that adjusts existing federal funding allocations for West Virginia's Community Mental Health Services. It shifts $200,000 from the "Federal Coronavirus Pandemic" funding category to the "Personal Services and Employee Benefits" category within the same fiscal year (2026). This reallocation does not add new funding but modifies how existing federal block grant money will be used for staffing and operations. The bill directly affects the Department of Human Services' Community Mental Health Services program, ensuring funds are directed toward personnel costs. It is a routine budget adjustment, not a policy change, and requires no new legislative action beyond the funding realignment.
HB 5438 modifies West Virginia's school funding formula to direct additional resources toward instructional improvements and technology. It allocates 10% of the local share increase for instructional programs (with $150,000 minimum per county) and 20% for instructional technology (with $30,000 minimum per county), both calculated based on attendance and enrollment data. County school boards may use up to 50% of instructional funds for hiring educators or technology specialists, subject to state superintendent approval, but cannot increase central office staff beyond four positions. The bill also requires funding for the Third Grade Success Act and allows county boards to use allocated funds for Safe Schools Fund projects. This directly affects all West Virginia county school districts and their budgeting for classroom programs and technology resources.
SB 876 allocates supplemental funds from West Virginia's unappropriated surplus to three state hospitals: $1 million for Welch Community Hospital, $3.4 million for William R. Sharpe Jr. Hospital, and $4.3 million for Mildred Mitchell-Bateman Hospital. The funds are designated specifically for capital improvements, repairs, and equipment at these facilities during the 2026 fiscal year. This appropriation directly affects the operational capacity of these three hospitals by providing resources for infrastructure maintenance. As a procedural supplemental bill, it reallocates existing surplus funds without creating new policy or affecting broader populations.
This bill creates tax credits for West Virginia manufacturers that transform locally harvested wood into finished "value-added" products like plywood, wood pellets, or engineered lumber. It provides tiered credits ($1.25-$3 per ton) based on the volume of West Virginia-sourced wood processed, with higher rates for new facilities or expansions ($2.50-$6 per ton) for five years. To qualify, manufacturers must meet a "minimum transformation standard" (e.g., altering wood’s structure), avoid basic handling like debarking, and self-report production data. Credits are capped at $1.25 million annually per facility and apply to corporate or personal income tax. The law aims to incentivize local processing of forest resources while preventing credits for raw log handling.
