Budget & Taxes

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 14, 2026

HB 4134: To quantify fair workman compensation rates and more equitable method of tracking/billing for various classifications within volunteer fire departments and emergency rescue personnel

HB 4134 establishes a state-funded subsidy program to help volunteer fire departments and emergency rescue personnel cover increases in their workers' compensation insurance premiums. The State Auditor will administer the program, distributing funds based on a formula that calculates the difference between current premiums and a base year (2010-2011), with subsidies capped at 100% of the premium increase. To qualify, departments must register with the Auditor’s Office at least 30 days before premium due dates, maintain good standing with the State Fire Marshal, and agree to have subsidies paid directly to their insurance carrier. The program applies to premiums for services like fire fighting, emergency medical response, and ambulance services, using state appropriations designated for this purpose.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesState-funded subsidy program allocates budget resources to cover fire departments' insurance premium increases, directly funding essential services per Budget & Taxes topic.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability

Track

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 15, 2026

HB 4018: Enhancing Flood Resiliency Disbursements

HB 4018 amends West Virginia's Flood Resiliency Trust Fund rules to require that at least 50% of disbursements benefit low-income areas/households and 50% fund nature-based flood solutions (like wetland restoration or floodplain acquisition). It mandates that political subdivisions receiving funds must adopt specific flood mitigation measures, such as updated road standards, flood hazard bylaws, or FEMA-approved local emergency plans. The bill directly affects local governments, state agencies, and residents in flood-prone areas - particularly low-income households and communities with frequent flooding. All disbursements must align with the state’s Flood Resiliency Plan and require explicit approval from the State Resiliency Officer.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill directs 50% of Flood Resiliency Trust Fund disbursements to low-income areas and nature-based solutions, funding essential flood mitigation programs within fiscal management.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds nature-based solutions (wetland restoration) for flood resiliency, directly advancing environmental conservation and protection.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationMandates updated road standards as part of flood mitigation, directly advancing transportation infrastructure resilience and safety standards.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Roads & Highways

Track

introduced · West Virginia · Senate Jan 16, 2026

SB 444: Enhancing flexibility, responsiveness, and economic development potential of Industrial Access Road Fund

SB 444 amends West Virginia law to improve how the Industrial Access Road Fund is managed and used. It allows counties to retain unobligated funds for three years (instead of reverting immediately) and enables counties within regional economic development organizations to pool funds for shared industrial road projects across county lines. The bill also waives surety bond requirements for federally funded projects and clarifies that funds can cover signage, safety upgrades, and matching federal infrastructure projects. This directly affects counties, municipalities, and industrial developers seeking to build or improve roads connecting to manufacturing, distribution, or economic development sites.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesPromotes fiscal responsibility by allowing fund retention and pooling, improving budget efficiency for road projects without tax changes.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill improves Industrial Access Road Fund management, allows fund pooling for shared road projects, and covers safety upgrades/signage - directly advancing transportation infrastructure funding and maintenance.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Airports Roads & Highways Transportation Funding

Track

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

Track

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

Track

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

Track

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

Track

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