HB 5672 imposes an annual excise tax on opioid manufacturers and distributors selling Schedule II drugs to West Virginia pharmacies. The tax equals one cent per 100 pills multiplied by the previous year's state opioid overdose death count (as reported by the Department of Health). Pharmacies collect this tax from manufacturers/distributors (not patients) and remit it to the Ryan Brown Addiction Prevention and Recovery Fund. This revenue directly funds state addiction prevention and recovery programs. The tax rate adjusts yearly based on updated overdose statistics.
HB 5297 adds $4,906,630 in funding from the state's unappropriated surplus balance to William R. Sharpe Jr. Hospital for current operating expenses during fiscal year 2026. This supplemental appropriation directly affects the hospital's budget by redirecting unused state funds that were identified in the Governor's 2026 budget document. The bill does not create new policies or alter existing laws - it simply allocates existing surplus revenue to cover the hospital's operational costs. This is a routine budget adjustment, not a policy change, and it specifically targets the hospital's designated fund (0413) for the 2026 fiscal year.
HB 5499 creates a system to monitor and address financial and governance issues in West Virginia school districts before they escalate. It requires the state to track specific indicators like over-reliance on temporary funding, declining savings, or repeated audit findings, and place districts meeting thresholds on a public "Watch List" with a requirement to submit a corrective action plan. The bill establishes a new independent Office of School System Performance and Accountability (OSPA) to oversee early intervention, stabilization, and transparency, while mandating detailed documentation before state takeover. This system aims to prevent crises through early transparency, local accountability, and structured support for school districts.
This bill increases funding for West Virginia's Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) by adding $422,562 for administrative costs and $449,429 for services under fund 0403. It supplements existing appropriations using an unappropriated balance from the State Fund, General Revenue, to support CHIP operations during fiscal year 2026. The funding directly affects CHIP beneficiaries and program administrators by providing additional resources for program management and services. This is a procedural budget adjustment, not a policy change, and it applies to the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026.
HB 5480 establishes the West Virginia Youth Summer Employment and Career Readiness Program to provide paid summer jobs and career training for youth aged 14-20, with priority given to those in foster care, receiving public assistance (like TANF or SNAP), or involved in the justice system. Administered by the Department of Commerce’s Division of Workforce Development, the program requires partnerships with private businesses, nonprofits, and government agencies to create work placements and career exploration opportunities. It mandates annual reporting on program effectiveness, allows private funding through matching contributions, and creates a special revenue account to support operations. The goal is to address workforce shortages, retain youth in West Virginia, and build a skilled local workforce through structured employment experiences.
This bill (SB 849) allocates $64,800 from an unappropriated surplus balance in the State Fund to the Moorefield Agricultural Center under the Department of Agriculture for fiscal year 2026. It directly affects the Moorefield Agricultural Center by providing supplemental funding for its operations. The bill adds this specific amount as a new line item to an existing budget account, using money that was not allocated in the original state budget. This is a procedural budget adjustment, not a new policy.
HB 5232 establishes the "Police Partnering With Communities Fund" within the West Virginia State Treasurer's office to reimburse police officers for housing costs if they live in designated distressed areas. The bill defines distressed areas as low-income census tracts (with 20%+ poverty rate or below 80% median family income) experiencing higher-than-average crime. Officers must provide proof of residence in these areas and employment with a local police department to receive full housing cost reimbursements. The fund, funded through a separate appropriations bill, aims to strengthen police-community relationships by encouraging officers to live in the neighborhoods they serve. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.
HB 5613 authorizes West Virginia's Fleet Management Division to use telematics monitoring devices on state vehicles. It directly affects all state agencies and departments (spending units) that operate state vehicles, requiring them to track vehicle activity through these systems. The bill amends existing law to allow the Division to contract for telematics services that monitor vehicle location, usage, and performance, while maintaining existing vehicle log reporting requirements. This replaces outdated provisions and standardizes how state vehicle fleets are managed under the Department of Administration.
SB 1051 creates a Charter School Revolving Loan Fund to provide low-interest loans specifically for public charter school facility projects (like building or renovating school buildings) in West Virginia. The fund is administered by the Professional Charter School Board, with loan repayments recycled back into the fund to support future projects. The bill requires the Board to establish rules for the fund's operation and mandates that initial loans be distributed during the 2027 fiscal year, pending state appropriations. This directly affects public charter schools seeking facility funding and the Professional Charter School Board as the fund administrator.
HB 5641 requires all state, county, municipal, and government-controlled entities (like boards or commissions) to publicly share financial data through West Virginia's Checkbook system or an approved similar platform. Entities must update financial records within two months of transactions and prominently link to this data on their websites and social media annually. Non-compliance incurs penalties: $500 per quarter for failing to participate, plus escalating monthly fines of $50 per month beyond the two-month deadline for late reporting. The law takes effect for all entities by the start of their 2027 fiscal year.
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Government Transparency
