With the 2025 legislative session nearing its end, the West Virginia House of Delegates passed its version of the state’s general revenue budget Friday morning. House Bill 2026, which outlines the budget for fiscal year 2026 beginning July 1, was approved with an 80-17 vote and now heads to the state Senate for review and amendments.
The House’s proposed budget totals $5.115 billion—approximately $210 million less than Governor Patrick Morrisey’s introduced budget of $5.323 billion. House Finance Committee Chairman Vernon Criss (R-Wood) explained that this year’s approach marked a significant shift from past practices. Instead of using the governor’s draft as the foundation, lawmakers built the budget off the previous fiscal year’s (FY 2025) figures.
“We had to take the numbers from last year and rebuild it from there,” said Criss, criticizing the governor’s budget for collapsing line items that the House typically uses to monitor spending closely.
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The House budget increases general revenue spending by about $117 million from FY 2025 but still remains below the governor’s plan. Among the notable inclusions:
- $40 million to cover the state’s increased share in Public Employees Insurance Agency (PEIA) healthcare
- 2% cut in personnel services across agencies to eliminate funding for persistently vacant positions, saving approximately $8 million
- $30 million increase for the Divisions of Corrections and Rehabilitation
- $90 million boost for the Department of Human Services
The House plan also reflects the merger of several state departments: Arts, Culture and History is merging with Tourism, and Economic Development is rejoining the Department of Commerce.
Surplus Spending and Safety Nets
Unlike the governor’s budget, which was fully balanced with no reserves, the House version includes $128.8 million in contingent surplus spending—these funds would be spent only if surplus dollars become available at the end of the current fiscal year. Proposed surplus allocations include:
- $100 million for road paving projects
- $10 million for Victims of Crime Act funding
- $10 million for water infrastructure projects
- $1.5 million for a new Washington Center for Civics at WVU
- $7 million for the Department of Tourism
- $250,000 for the Cabell County Commission
After accounting for surplus spending, the budget leaves $81.1 million in unappropriated funds, which Criss said gives the state more flexibility than the governor’s zero-balance approach.
“The governor’s plan would have spent every dollar. We’re leaving some in reserve,” Criss noted.
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Two Key Amendments Adopted
Two amendments were added to HB 2026:
- EMT and Paramedic Support:
Del. Joe Statler (R-Monongalia) secured a shift of $2 million from the EMS Workers Salary Enhancement Fund to the Office of Emergency Medical Services for training, recertification, and mental health support for first responders. “These are angels on earth,” said Statler. “We need to ensure they’re trained, stable, and ready when we call.” - Medicaid Waiver Protections:
Del. Michael Hite (R-Berkeley) introduced a successful amendment allowing unspent funds in Medicaid waiver programs to roll over each year and prohibiting those funds from being used elsewhere.
Democratic Amendments Rejected
All nine amendments proposed by House Democrats were rejected. These included efforts to:
- Restore full Medicaid waiver funding
- Create a line item for the Herbert Henderson Office of Minority Affairs
- Reestablish the Governor’s Summer Work Program
- Increase childcare and clean water infrastructure funding
- Restore some funding to WVU and West Virginia State University
House Finance Committee Minority Vice Chairman John Williams (D-Monongalia) voiced concerns about the impact of flat budgeting on essential services.
“This budget may be fiscally responsible, but I don’t think it’s socially responsible,” Williams said. “We’re underfunding lifelines like healthcare and education.”
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What’s Next
The Senate is expected to make changes to HB 2026 next week. Once amended, the House and Senate will negotiate a final compromise version of the budget before the legislative session ends next Saturday.
