In Review
Under The Dome delivers a review of issues being considered by the West Virginia
Legislature. It provides information on matters that affect WVU and higher education,
as well as other high-profile topics that affect the Mountain State and its citizens.
This edition includes highlights from the full 60-day session, completed on March
14 at midnight.
Budget Signed
Senate Bill 250, the budget compromise that passed the Legislature and went to
the Governor’s desk on March 6, was signed by the Governor on March 12.
The WVU base appropriation was increased by approximately $7.7 million, which includes a 3% increase for pay raises, a 3% increase for PEIA employer share costs, and the funding formula inflation adjustment. The budget also reversed the 2% agency cut for higher education institutions from the Governor’s introduced version.
Supplemental Appropriation
In House Bill 5682, the House and Senate passed one-time funding of $32 million for the WVU School of Medicine and $5 million for the WVU School of Dentistry. The funding will be used to expand programs and improve classrooms, lab space, and student-facing areas, while $5 million will be used to improve the main student clinic in the School of Dentistry, matching more than $27 million secured through the Congressionally Directed Spending Program to renovate Dentistry’s facilities. The bill was approved by the Governor.Personal Income Tax
Learn and Earn Program
House Bill 5212, which reforms and makes higher education aid and grant programs more efficient, has a section that makes WVU Potomac State College a fully eligible institution to participate in the Learn and Earn Program. The bill completed the legislative process on day 59 and awaits the Governor’s review.West Virginia Collaboratory
House Bill 4002 creates the West Virginia Collaboratory. Modeled after North Carolina, this legislation allows the Collaboratory to support higher education institutions' research projects for public benefit and the practical use of state and local governments. The bill completed the legislative process on day 59 and awaits the Governor’s approval.
The bill would establish an advisory board that includes representatives of the Legislature, Higher Education Policy Commission, and 3 universities: WVU, Marshall, and West Virginia State. Two additional seats on the board are to be filled by citizens who possess a broad understanding of the relationship between public and private-sector research.
Medical Cannabis Funds
House Bill 5074 would dedicate 10% of the revenue generated from medical cannabis sales to the WVU Rockefeller Neurosciences Institute for substance use disorder research. The current balance of the program includes approximately $38 million in funding and generates about $4 million each year.
Women’s Collegiate Sports Protection Act
Senate Bill 502 establishes the Women’s Collegiate Sports Protection Act. The bill allows institutions to set up an endowment fund to support women’s collegiate sports and to fund that endowment through cost-saving measures, donor gifts, or other appropriation. The bill passed the legislative process on day 59 and is awaiting the Governor’s signature.
Tobacco Cessation
House Bill 4629 creates an exemption from the State’s tobacco usage restriction laws for medical cessation and research programs at an institution of higher education. The bill passed the House 87-5 but died in the Senate where it was not considered by the Senate Health Committee.
Rural Health Transformation
The Legislature passed a pair of bills to authorize spending of the $199 million federal award for the Rural Health Transformation Program. House Bill 4740 creates the statutory mechanisms to distribute the funding and allocate grants from the federal appropriation. It was signed into law by the Governor on February 27. Senate Bill 570 gives the authority to the West Virginia Department of Health to spend the federal appropriation. It passed the Legislature on March 13 and is on the Governor’s desk for approval.
West Virginia-Ireland Education Alliance
House Bill 4087 establishes the West Virginia-Ireland Education Alliance. The Alliance’s mission is to partner West Virginia higher education institutions with those from Ireland. A 4-year institution shall partner with a 2-year institution to promote shared learning, international engagement, cultural exchanges, and academic and workforce connections between West Virginia and Ireland.
Health and Aid Grant
House Bill 4081 creates the Higher Education Health and Aid Grant. It would allow the Higher Education Policy Commission to apply for and administer grants to enhance or develop programs to address food insecurity, student health, or hygiene inadequacies. The bill passed the House on January 23 in a 71-22 vote but died in Senate Education.
Legislative Calendar
April 1 – Final Day for Governor to Sign or Veto Bills
June 14 to 16 – Legislative Interims (Canaan Valley State Park)
August 9 to 11 – Legislative Interims (State Capitol)
September 13 to 15 – Legislative Interims (State Capitol)
December 6 to 8 – Legislative Interims (State Capitol)