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West Virginia Senate amends its budget into House bill, setting up compromise

State Sen. Ben Queen praised the passage of House Bill 2026, the budget bill that was amended to include the Senate’s version. (Photo Courtesy/WV Legislative Photography)

CHARLESTON — The future of remaining bills in the Legislature remains uncertain as the clock ticks down to midnight Saturday, but the budget appears to be on track for a quick compromise between the West Virginia House of Delegates and Senate.

The Senate passed House Bill 2026, the budget bill, in a unanimous 34-0 vote Wednesday afternoon after amending in its version, Senate Bill 300.

House Bill 2026 is the vehicle for the general revenue budget for fiscal year 2026 beginning in July. It now heads back to the House, where a compromise amendment laying out an agreed-to budget could be presented before Saturday.

SB 300 sets the fiscal year 2026 general budget at $5.321 billion, just $930,000 less than Gov. Patrick Morrisey’s $5.322 billion proposal (based on an updated revenue estimate) but 4% more than the $5.113 billion set in the House version. The Senate budget was also 1.1% more than the $5.265 billion budget for the current fiscal year ending June 30.

“This budget is responsible, it’s strategic, and it reflects a clear belief in the future of West Virginia,” said state Sen. Ben Queen, R-Harrison. “This budget is responsible, it’s strategic, and it reflects a clear belief in the future of West Virginia.”

Shortly after taking office in January, officials in the Department of Revenue determined that a $397 million hole existed in fiscal year 2026 as of Jan. 13 based on previous budgeting by former Gov. Jim Justice. Morrisey’s budget and the Senate and House versions all addressed this projected hole with balanced budgets as required by the state Constitution.

“I walked into this building at the start of session, and I heard that we had a $400 million gap to close,” Queen said. “That kind of news could have set the tone for this session as a defensive, short-term budget, but this body chose a different path. We chose to build, we chose to lead, and we chose to put the future first. …Today, the Senate presents a budget that is both balanced and bold, one that reflects the needs of our people today and the priorities we have for the future.”

Morrisey’s budget foregoes using one-time monies, but both the House and Senate versions include a section for surplus appropriations if excess tax revenues are available at the end of the current fiscal year.

The Senate’s surplus selection includes only two $50 million items which would be paid out in order based on available surplus after June 30: a directed transfer for the yet-to-be-renamed Division of Economic Development and a directed transfer for the Department of Transportation.

Speaking on background, a lawmaker close to the negotiations on the budget between the House and the Senate said conversations between the two bodies have been good, with a compromise likely coming in higher than the House’s proposal but lower than Morrisey’s and the Senate’s, with a limited surplus section in the back.

The 2025 legislative session began on Feb. 12 and will wrap up day 60 when the Legislature gavels out sine die at midnight on Saturday.

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