Members of the House of Delegates began the process of completing a balanced state budget for the next state Fiscal Year, which begins July 1, 2025. The House passed its budget bill, House Bill 2026, by a vote of 80 to 17 with three delegates absent Friday afternoon. The total General Revenue budget in the bill is $5,113,274,982 with an expected General Revenue surplus of $128,750,000 reserved for what is commonly referred to as the “back of the budget.”
The House Finance Committee built the budget using the Fiscal Year 2025 budget as its starting point and guide. The bill used long-standing vacancies in many agencies to effectuate a small two percent savings as well as $300,000 savings in salaries as a result of department mergers. House Bill 2026 increased the employer share to PEIA for all agencies by about $40 million. The House budget put back the broad 10% cut made to the Department of Human Services last year, as well as an increase to the Department’s line items based on its requests for a total of about $90 million. The Department of Health’s Birth to Three program sees an increase of $7 million and the Division of Corrections receives a $30 million increase over the previous year’s budget in House Bill 2026. Another increase from the previous budget included in this year’s budget bill is $5 million going to appointed counsel as well as a new $1.8 million to court-appointed special advocates. The measure now goes to the Senate for debate.
The House passed Senate Bill 458, the Universal Professional and Occupational Licensing Act of 2025, by unanimous vote Monday. The measure would require the board of any profession regulated under W.Va. Code Chapter 30, which includes dentists, funeral directors, practical nurses, accountants, architects, foresters and physical therapists, to issue an occupational license to a resident of the state who is licensed in at least one other state in the same discipline and who meets several requirements for good standing. The bill is currently with Gov. Morrisey for action.
House Bill 2002, Establishing the One-Stop Shop Permitting Process, also passed the full House Monday by unanimous vote. It has gone to the Senate for debate and would streamline the state’s permitting processes while making them more accessible through a public dashboard. All one hundred Delegates voted Tuesday to send House Bill 2152, the Prompt Payment Act of 2025, to the Senate for deliberation. It would require state agencies to pay legitimate and uncontested invoices within 45 days of receipt and delinquent payments would be reported to the State Auditor, who would be required to publish an online list of noncompliant agencies.
House Bill 3518, which would have disenrolled Medicaid expansion participants if the federal government lowered or cut the program rate at the federal level, was placed on the inactive calendar following strong assurances from the federal government that it will not alter its share of the cost. This is positive news for the residents of West Virginia.
I was delighted to present a legislative citation to Mountaineer Food Bank in recognition of their unwavering commitment to combating food insecurity in the Mountain State. Their dedication to forging innovative partnerships through both existing and new programs is instrumental in the fight to end hunger and enhance health in our beloved West Virginia Hills.
“If we can conquer space, we can conquer childhood hunger.”
(Buzz Aldrin)
Congratulations to the Braxton County High School CTE students for their historic participation in the Skills USA West Virginia State Leadership competition. Not only did they compete, but Brian Davis earned a Gold Medal in Architectural Drafting, and Alley White secured a Gold Medal in Beginner Cosmetology.
Additionally, congratulations to the BCHS phlebotomy students for achieving a 100 percent pass rate on the CPT exam and becoming certified phlebotomy technicians.
I would also like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to Glenville State professor, Dwight Heaster, for winning the 2025 Pete and Betsy Barr Professional Development Award. This award will enable him to expand AI knowledge at the university. AI is an ever-evolving field, and his student-centered approach will be a significant asset in preparing students for the future at Glenville State University.
Finally, I had a wonderful time attending the grand opening of Chapman Farms and Feed, LLC in Duck, WV. Owners Channing and Tashauna Chapman have transformed their business from a simple idea into a thriving venture that will serve the needs of farmers and others throughout central West Virginia and the entire state. I wish them great success and hope you get a chance to stop by and see them.
The 60-day, regular legislative session ends at midnight April 12th.
I look forward to hearing from people in the district and hope to see you out and about enjoying all the great things our area has to offer. I can be contacted at lori.dittman@wv house.gov or 304-701-8600.
Devoted to Braxton County, West Virginia