Education

in committee · West Virginia · Senate Feb 25, 2026

SB 1017: Establishing Charter School Direct Loan Program and Charter School Credit Enhancement Program

SB 1017 establishes two financing programs under the West Virginia Economic Development Authority to support public charter schools. The Charter School Direct Loan Program provides loans for charter school startup, operations, facility acquisition, or improvements, while the Charter School Credit Enhancement Program helps schools secure better loan terms by reducing lender risk. Qualifying charter schools - those meeting authority-set standards and designated by the Economic Development Authority - can access these programs, with priority given to rural school development. The bill creates specific mechanisms for loan administration, debt service reserves, and project definitions (including facilities and capital equipment) without altering existing charter school governance.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates financing programs to fund charter school operations/facilities, directly supporting school funding and access for K-12 charter schools.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice

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

HB 5235: Back to school sales tax holiday

HB 5235 updates West Virginia's back-to-school sales tax holiday by increasing the price thresholds for exempt items. It raises the clothing exemption to $150 (from $125), school supplies to $60 (from $50), instructional materials to $25 (from $20), laptop/tablet computers to $600 (from $500), and sports equipment to $180 (from $150). The holiday applies to eligible purchases made during the first Sunday of August plus the previous Friday and Saturday, and the following Monday. This change directly affects West Virginia residents purchasing qualifying school-related items during this specific annual period, reducing their tax burden on those purchases.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases tax exemption thresholds for school supplies, clothing, and electronics, providing direct tax relief to lower/middle-income families during back-to-school season.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationIncreases affordability of school supplies and devices via tax exemptions, enhancing educational access for families during back-to-school shopping.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement Sales Tax Curriculum

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 16, 2026

HB 5584: Relating to require county school boards to provide one day in-service training to prepare county employees for annual competency tests.

HB 5584 requires West Virginia county school boards to provide one day of in-service training annually to school service employees preparing for mandatory competency tests. These tests determine qualification for specific job classifications, such as cafeteria managers or secretaries, as defined by state law. The training must help employees meet the test requirements, which are designed to align with job duties without altering the tests or passing standards. This bill applies directly to county school boards and their employees who must take the annual competency tests.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates annual training for school employees to meet competency test requirements, strengthening staff qualification standards in K-12 education without altering tests or standards.92% confidence

Track

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

HB 5677: To create the Career Pipeline for Coalfield Counties Act.

HB 5677 establishes the Coalfield Career Pipeline Program to expand workforce training in West Virginia's coalfield counties. The bill authorizes mobile career and technical education units, paid apprenticeships, certification programs, and employer partnerships focused on priority industries like commercial driving, healthcare, construction, and emerging energy trades. It prioritizes collaborative applications involving schools, workforce boards, and local governments. The program aims to directly support residents in these economically transitioning communities by connecting them to in-demand jobs.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes CTE program with mobile units, apprenticeships, and employer partnerships to expand workforce training access in coalfield counties, directly advancing educational opportunity through funding and collaboration.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentEstablishes paid apprenticeships and employer partnerships in key industries, enhancing workforce training and job opportunities for workers in target sectors.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Apprenticeships Professional Licensing Workforce Development

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passed · West Virginia · Senate Mar 8, 2026

SB 778: Relating to eligibility for homebound services for exceptional children

SB 778 amends West Virginia law to allow nurse practitioners and physician assistants, alongside physicians, to certify students with disabilities as eligible for homebound educational services. This change directly affects families of exceptional children who require homebound instruction due to injury or health conditions. The key provision removes the previous restriction requiring certification only by physicians, expanding who can authorize this service. The bill aims to streamline access to homebound education by broadening the pool of qualified medical professionals who can make this determination.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands eligibility for homebound services by allowing nurse practitioners/physician assistants to certify, removing physician-only restriction and streamlining access for exceptional children in K-12 education.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands healthcare provider roles (NPs/PAs) to certify homebound services, improving access for children with health conditions by removing physician-only restriction.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce

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in committee · West Virginia · Senate Feb 23, 2026

SB 1070: Authorizing School Building Authority to fund grounds and site improvements

SB 1070 authorizes West Virginia's School Building Authority to use existing funds for specific grounds and site improvements that protect school buildings' structural safety and integrity. It allows funding for drainage systems, erosion control, soil stabilization, and related engineering services when needed to prevent foundation damage, flooding, or structural threats - excluding purely aesthetic landscaping or routine maintenance. The bill requires written certification from a licensed engineer confirming that proposed improvements are necessary for building safety before approval. This directly affects public school facilities statewide by enabling proactive, cost-effective protection of school infrastructure. The measure expands the Authority's existing funding powers to address site conditions threatening building safety, with implementation effective 90 days after passage.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAuthorizes existing funds for structural safety improvements (drainage, erosion control) to protect school buildings, directly advancing K-12 infrastructure safety and integrity.95% confidence

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passed · West Virginia · Senate Mar 2, 2026

SB 1020: Allowing up to five educational leave days within definition of "excused absence"

This bill adds "educational leave days" to West Virginia's list of excused absences, allowing up to five days per school year for approved educational activities (like field trips or workshops). Parents must submit a note within three days explaining the purpose, and schools can reject days that don't meet state-defined criteria. It directly affects students, parents, and school staff managing attendance records. The bill also clarifies that 4-H, FFA, and similar activities already count toward the existing 10-day limit for school-approved activities, so they aren't subject to the new educational leave cap.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands excused absences for approved educational activities (field trips/workshops), supporting student access to learning opportunities within attendance policy.95% confidence

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passed both · West Virginia · House of Delegates Mar 14, 2026

HB 5453: To modify the school aid funding formula.

HB 5453 modifies West Virginia's school funding formula, shifting to a block grant of $6,100 per student for county school districts starting in 2029-2030 (with a minimum 1,200-student threshold per county), while public charter schools receive $8,600 per student. It creates a "Supplemental School Aid Fund" to provide additional per-pupil funding for Tier II ($3,050) and Tier III special needs students beginning in 2029-2030. School districts may also request supplemental funding for specific needs like transportation, vocational centers, or pilot programs through this fund. The bill requires annual oversight reports by the Legislative Oversight Commission on Education Accountability and defines "maladministration" as financial mismanagement that could trigger funding restrictions.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationModifies funding formula to increase per-student allocation ($6,100-$8,600) and adds supplemental fund for special needs students ($3,050), advancing school funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice School Funding Student Financial Aid

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signed · West Virginia · Senate Jun 24, 2026

SB 814: Supplemental appropriation to State Board of Education, fund 0313

This bill (SB 814) allocates $70,357,538 in unappropriated surplus funds from the State General Revenue Fund to the Hope Scholarship Program under the State Board of Education. It directly affects the Hope Scholarship Program by providing supplemental funding for fiscal year 2026. The bill does not change program rules or eligibility - it simply reallocates existing surplus funds to cover program costs. This is a routine budget adjustment, not a new policy.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates surplus funds to fund Hope Scholarship Program, supporting public education without new taxes or policy changes.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates $70M surplus to Hope Scholarship Program, directly funding educational access without restrictions or policy changes.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Revenue State Budget Student Financial Aid

passed · West Virginia · Senate Mar 3, 2026

SB 1044: Requiring Board of Education to promulgate rule that sets forth common graduation requirements

SB 1044 requires the West Virginia Board of Education to create uniform graduation requirements for all public high school students. It mandates specific pathways - Academic (college-prep), Workforce, Career and Technical Education/Skilled Trades, and Military - and establishes standardized certificates of proficiency detailing each graduate's skills, readiness for employment, or college readiness. The bill directly affects all West Virginia public high schools and students by replacing inconsistent local requirements with state-mandated standards across these four pathways. It also requires schools to issue certificates of proficiency alongside diplomas, specifying the student's completed program of study and relevant skills.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates uniform graduation requirements and standardized skill certificates, enhancing consistency and student readiness for college/career pathways across all public high schools.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Curriculum Testing & Assessment

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