West Virginia House Bill HB5382

West Virginia 2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/9/26
• Refer: 2/9/26
• Engrossed: 3/2/26
• Refer: 3/4/26
• Report Pass: 3/10/26
• Enrolled: 3/12/26
• Passed: 3/14/26

Caption

Relating to the Neighborhood Investment Program.

Summary

HB5382 extends the Neighborhood Investment Program by amending the program’s sunset provision in West Virginia Code §11-13J-12. The bill keeps the existing tax credit structure in place for contributions to certified projects and preserves taxpayers’ entitlement to credits already earned under current law. It also retains the requirement for periodic independent program reviews and reporting to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance. Under the bill, the Neighborhood Investment Program Act will now terminate on July 1, 2031, unless it is sooner ended by law. No new tax credit entitlement will be available for contributions made after that date, but taxpayers who qualify before then may continue to claim credits according to the article’s rules and limitations. The bill therefore functions as a continuation of the program rather than a redesign of its eligibility standards or credit mechanics.

Impact

The bill amends a single section of the West Virginia Code, §11-13J-12, to extend the life of the Neighborhood Investment Program and its associated tax credit through July 1, 2031. It does not change the substantive credit calculation, project certification process, or taxpayer eligibility rules, but it does preserve existing rights for contributions made before the new sunset date. The main legal effect is to delay expiration of the program and maintain the state tax incentive for certified neighborhood investment projects.

Sentiment

The available voting history suggests broad bipartisan support for the bill. It passed the House by 82-3 and the Senate by 31-1, indicating that most legislators viewed the extension favorably. No committee transcripts were provided, and there is no evidence in the record of organized opposition or significant debate over the measure.

Contention

Because the bill simply extends an existing tax credit program, the likely points of contention would center on whether the Neighborhood Investment Program should continue at all, its cost to state revenues, and whether the credit effectively supports community development and charitable investment. However, the recorded votes show very limited opposition in both chambers, suggesting that any concerns about fiscal impact or program effectiveness were not strong enough to prevent passage.