Budget & Taxes

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 23, 2026

HB 4780: Private or government, to pay an additional fee during eminent domain proceedings

HB 4780 requires private or government entities taking property through eminent domain to pay an additional 15% fee on the court-ordered value paid to landowners. This fee, paid to the county where the property is located, is in addition to all other costs and does not reduce the amount paid to landowners. The funds must be used exclusively by counties for acquiring or improving public forests, parks, recreation facilities, and related enhancements. The bill clarifies that this fee is a new requirement not affecting existing landowner compensation.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes 15% fee on eminent domain takings, directing funds to public parks/forests, funding essential recreational infrastructure per bill's purpose.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing

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signed · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jun 29, 2026

HB 4765: Teacher, School Personnel, and State Police Pay Raise

HB 4765 increases annual base salaries for West Virginia State Police officers, public school teachers, school service personnel, and forensic laboratory staff, effective July 1, 2026. The bill establishes specific salary schedules for police ranks (e.g., troopers, sergeants, captains), school personnel, and forensic roles (e.g., evidence custodians, forensic scientists), with detailed pay tables showing incremental increases. It directly affects over 10,000 state employees across law enforcement, education, and forensic services. The legislation provides fixed annual salary adjustments based on position and length of service, with no additional provisions beyond these compensation changes.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates increased state budget for public employee salaries (10,000+ positions), establishing specific pay tables and funding increments effective 2026.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationDirectly increases base salaries for public school teachers and school personnel, advancing educator compensation and retention in K-12 education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 29, 2026

HB 4969: To increase the pay for retired state employees by 5% over three years beginning in 2025

HB 4969 increases retirement benefits for eligible retired state employees and teachers by a total of 5% over three years, starting July 1, 2026. It applies to retirees aged 70+ with at least 25 years of service as of July 1, 2023, including those receiving minimum benefits under existing law. The increase is phased: 2.5% on July 1, 2026, 1.5% on July 1, 2027, and 1% on July 1, 2028. The bill amends provisions for both the Public Employees Retirement System and the State Teachers Retirement System. It does not affect current retirees' benefits retroactively but adjusts payments for those already retired as of the effective date.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases state spending on retirement benefits by 5% over three years, directly funding a government program for retirees.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Pensions

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in committee · West Virginia · Senate Jan 21, 2026

SB 552: Authorizing county boards of education to designate schools as rural anchor schools

SB 552 authorizes West Virginia county school boards to designate qualifying rural schools as "rural anchor schools," directly affecting low-enrollment schools in predominantly rural communities. To qualify, schools must meet specific criteria, including being the primary neighborhood school, having enrollment below state averages, and facing transportation or safety barriers if closed. The bill provides these schools with state funding based on a minimum 150-student enrollment for fixed costs (like utilities and staffing), regardless of actual enrollment, while requiring funds to be used only for operational costs, core staffing, or academic programs. County boards must report annually on enrollment, staffing, and fund usage to the state board.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates state funding for rural schools' fixed costs, directly supporting public education spending within budget management.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides state funding to rural schools meeting enrollment criteria to prevent closures, directly supporting K-12 access and funding for underserved communities.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Funding Tags Rural Communities

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 29, 2026

HB 4973: Relating to raising the state minimum salary for teachers to $50,000 beginning in school year 2026-2027

HB 4973 raises West Virginia's state minimum teacher salary to $50,000 beginning with the 2026-2027 school year, affecting all public school teachers across the state. The bill updates the salary schedule to guarantee a minimum base salary of $50,000 for every teacher regardless of experience or degree level, while also adding a $2,000 annual increase for all teachers. Additionally, teachers providing math instruction or special education services receive an extra $1,200 minimum salary increase. This amendment to West Virginia Code §18A-4-2 directly changes the state's minimum pay structure for educators starting in 2026-2027.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates state budget reallocation for teacher salary increases, directly funding public education through higher appropriations and annual salary adjustments.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates minimum teacher salary increase to $50,000 with annual raises, directly supporting educator compensation in K-12 education per topic description.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRaises minimum teacher salary to $50,000 with annual increases, directly increasing wages for educators under Labor & Employment policies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Special Education Teachers

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 19, 2026

HB 4693: To declassify Community and Technical Education (“CTE”) teaching positions to allow for counties to provide additional funding for certain positions.

HB 4693 declassifies Community and Technical Education (CTE) teaching positions at community colleges and trades-based high school instructors teaching CTE courses, allowing counties to target additional funding to specific roles in critical need. Currently, all CTE positions are grouped together, requiring county funding to be distributed across all positions; this bill removes that classification barrier. The bill maintains existing state funding for these positions while enabling counties to add supplemental funds to high-demand roles like skilled trades or healthcare education. This change aims to help fill staffing shortages in key CTE fields by letting counties offer targeted financial incentives without reducing state support.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEnables counties to target additional funding toward critical CTE roles, promoting efficient fiscal management within education budgeting while maintaining state funding.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill enables targeted county funding for critical CTE roles by removing classification barriers, maintaining state funds while improving resource allocation for education positions.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education K-12 Education Teachers

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signed · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jun 29, 2026

HB 4087: To create a West Virginia-Ireland Education Alliance.

HB 4087 establishes the West Virginia-Ireland Education Alliance Partnership to strengthen academic, cultural, and workforce connections between West Virginia and Ireland. It creates a formal partnership requiring five four-year universities and five two-year colleges in West Virginia to collaborate with Irish institutions. The bill provides for five $50,000 grants to fund joint programs between these institutions. This partnership is governed by a commission with specific membership rules, including legislative and community representatives. The bill directly affects West Virginia higher education institutions and their Irish counterparts through structured collaboration and grant opportunities.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides $250,000 in state grants for education partnerships, increasing government spending on higher education programs.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides $50,000 grants for joint higher education programs between WV and Ireland, strengthening academic collaboration and funding international partnerships.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 26, 2026

HB 4827: Provide an increase in salary to WV Birth to Three contracted therapists and employees

HB 4827 increases payments by 25% for therapists and other professionals contracted through West Virginia's Birth-to-Three program who are *not* state employees. This change applies to services provided starting July 1, 2026, and is funded through the existing West Virginia Birth-to-Three Fund. The bill specifically targets contracted providers, not state agency employees, and modifies §16-5K-6 of the code to implement this payment adjustment. The fund sources include legislative appropriations, transfers from health divisions, private donations, and client fees. This is a direct payment increase for contracted service providers under the program.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases payments to contracted therapists via existing fund, strengthening essential program funding without new taxes or budget cuts.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareIncreases 25% payments for healthcare therapists in WV Birth-to-Three program, strengthening provider compensation within public health services.95% confidence

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 28, 2026

HB 4875: To provide a 25% pay increase for state school service personnel (all salary scales)

HB 4875 would increase the minimum monthly pay for all West Virginia state school service personnel by 25% across every salary grade. This applies to employees working more than 3.5 hours daily (full-time equivalent) and half that rate for those working 3.5 hours or less, affecting roles like custodians, cafeteria workers, aides, and specialized staff listed in the pay scale. The bill amends §18A-4-8a of West Virginia law to implement this across all experience levels and job classifications, effective July 1, 2024. The change directly affects all state school service employees covered under the current minimum pay scale structure.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates 25% pay increase for state school staff, directly increasing government spending on public education services per budget appropriation.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationIncreases pay for K-12 school staff (custodians, aides, etc.) by 25%, directly advancing workforce funding and retention in education.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentIncreases minimum wages for school service personnel by 25%, directly advancing compensation standards for workers in covered roles.95% confidence

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 20, 2026

HB 4584: Market pay for Teachers

HB 4584 establishes a market-based pay enhancement for West Virginia teachers in counties where the regional median home price exceeds the state average. It calculates an annual lump-sum payment for teachers in those counties by comparing regional home prices (including contiguous border counties/states) to West Virginia's statewide median home price, then applying a multiplier to the county's average teacher salary. The State Board of Education determines this adjustment every five years starting in 2027, certifies the amount to the State Auditor, and payments are distributed annually as taxable income. This directly affects certified teachers in specific counties with higher regional cost-of-living compared to West Virginia's average, aiming to make salaries competitive with neighboring areas.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates state funds for teacher pay increases in high-cost counties, boosting education budget spending.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill provides market-based pay enhancement for teachers in high-cost counties, increasing teacher compensation via salary adjustments tied to regional home prices.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability Teachers

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