West Virginia 2026 Regular Session

West Virginia Senate Bill SB 271

Introduced
1/15/26  

Caption

Department of Health rule relating to distribution of state funds for support of local boards of health

Summary

SB 271 concerns a Department of Health rule governing how state funds are distributed to support local boards of health. Based on the bill caption and available procedural information, the measure appears to address the administrative framework for allocating state support to local public health boards rather than creating a new health program or changing clinical services. The bill was referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee, indicating it was under review for legal or statutory conformity. Because the full bill text is not available in the provided materials, the specific funding formula, eligibility criteria, reporting requirements, or oversight provisions cannot be identified from the record here. At a general level, the bill likely affects the relationship between the state Department of Health and county or local boards of health by clarifying or modifying how state aid is distributed and administered.

Impact

The bill would affect state administrative law and any statutes or rules governing the Department of Health’s distribution of funds to local boards of health. Depending on its final language, it could influence how local health departments receive operating support, what conditions attach to those funds, and how the Department of Health exercises oversight over local public health entities. The primary affected parties would be the Department of Health, county and local boards of health, and indirectly the communities they serve.

Sentiment

No committee transcript or recorded vote information was provided, so there is no direct evidence of support or opposition from the available materials. The referral to Judiciary suggests the bill was being examined in a legal or procedural context, but the record supplied here does not show whether the measure was controversial or routine. Overall, the available context is neutral and limited.

Contention

No specific points of contention are documented in the provided transcript or voting history. In bills of this type, potential areas of disagreement typically include the fairness of the funding distribution formula, whether the Department of Health has too much discretion, and whether local boards of health would face new conditions or reduced flexibility. However, those issues are not confirmed by the materials supplied for SB 271.

Companion Bills

WV HB4220

Similar To Relating to authorizing the Department of Health to promulgate a legislative rule relating to distribution of state funds for support of local boards of health.

Previously Filed As

WV SB324

Department of Health rule relating to Primary Care Support Program

WV SB322

Department of Health rule relating to vital statistics

WV SB320

Department of Health rule relating to statewide trauma and emergency care system

WV HB2244

Relating to authorizing the Department of Health to promulgate a legislative rule relating to the Primary Care Support Program

WV SB319

Department of Health rule relating to public water systems

WV SB325

Authorizing Department of Health to promulgate legislative rules

WV SB330

Department of Health rule relating to critical access hospitals

WV SB323

Department of Health rule relating to emergency medical services

WV SB321

Department of Health rule relating to fatality and mortality review team

WV HB2242

Relating to authorizing the Department of Health to promulgate a legislative rule relating to vital statistics

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.