West Virginia Senate Fast-Tracks Budget Bills in Special Session

West Virginia Senate Fast-Tracks Bills in Special Session to Address State Budget Concerns

In a swift and unanimous decision, the West Virginia Senate approved eight bills on Sunday during a special session called by Governor Jim Justice. The session, which focused primarily on amending the state budget for fiscal year 2025, saw the suspension of constitutional rules requiring a bill to be read on three separate days before passage.

One of the key bills passed by the Senate, Senate Bill 1001, allocates $183 million to a reserve fund for the Department of Human Services. This fund can be used for services for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) and provides an additional $5 million in reserves to the Department of Health.

Senate Finance Chairman Eric Tarr emphasized the importance of setting up a reserve fund to address potential shortfalls in funding for critical services. Lawmakers had previously slashed funding for services for people with disabilities after concerns were raised about the Department of Human Services’ spending practices.

The bill also includes provisions for increased transparency in DoHS spending, requiring the department secretary to submit monthly reports to lawmakers about any transfers made from the reserves account. This move aims to hold the department accountable for its financial decisions and ensure that funds are allocated appropriately.

In addition to addressing funding for IDD services, the bill provides additional funds for programs such as the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and child support enforcement. The special session also saw the passage of a resolution extending a state of emergency to allow college-bound students to receive state education aid without completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, due to issues with the federal government’s new application process.

While the Senate acted swiftly to pass the necessary bills, the House of Delegates introduced 16 bills, with most referred to the House Finance Committee for further review. As the Legislature’s May interims begin, meetings may be rescheduled or canceled to accommodate lawmakers’ availability.

Overall, the special session highlighted the state’s commitment to addressing budget concerns and ensuring transparency in government spending, with a focus on providing essential services to those in need.