Supplemental appropriation to Department of Health, WV Birth to Three Fund
Summary
SB774 is a supplemental appropriation bill for fiscal year 2025. It authorizes the Legislature to increase an existing appropriation for the West Virginia Department of Health’s Birth-to-Three Fund (Fund 5214, Organization 0506) using unappropriated money remaining in the Treasury for the current fiscal year. The bill does not create a new program or change eligibility rules; instead, it adjusts funding available to the existing Birth-to-Three account.
The measure is framed as a budgetary correction or enhancement for the Department of Health’s early intervention services. By supplementing the account, the bill would allow additional expenditures from the Birth-to-Three Fund during FY 2025 for services administered under Chapter 16 of the West Virginia Code. The text does not specify the dollar amount in the excerpt provided, but its purpose is to increase spending authority for the designated fund.
Impact
SB774 would amend the FY 2025 appropriations for the Department of Health by increasing the spending authority of the West Virginia Birth-to-Three Fund. Its practical effect is to make additional state funds available for early intervention services for infants and toddlers with developmental delays or disabilities, while leaving the underlying statutory framework unchanged. The bill affects the state budget and the Department of Health’s administration of Birth-to-Three services, but it does not alter substantive eligibility, benefits, or program requirements in the code.
Sentiment
The available record suggests a neutral to supportive posture toward the bill. It was introduced by Senate leadership at the request of the Executive, which typically indicates administration support for the supplemental funding. No committee debate, recorded votes, or amendments are provided in the materials, so there is no evidence of opposition or controversy in the available history.
Contention
There is no documented contention in the provided materials. Because the bill is a supplemental appropriation, any potential concerns would likely relate to budget priorities, the size of the increase, or the availability of unappropriated funds, but none of those issues are raised in the transcript or voting history supplied here. The absence of recorded debate or votes means no specific member, committee, or stakeholder position can be identified from the record provided.