West Virginia Senate Bill SB787

West Virginia 2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/6/26
• Refer: 2/6/26
• Report Pass: 3/9/26
• Engrossed: 3/11/26
• Enrolled: 3/13/26
• Passed: 3/19/26

Caption

Supplemental appropriation to Department of Commerce, fund 0250

Summary

SB787 is a supplemental appropriations bill that increases an existing fiscal year 2026 general revenue appropriation for the West Virginia Department of Commerce’s Division of Forestry. The bill adds $600,000 to Fund 0250, Organization 0305, for current expenses, using an unappropriated balance remaining in the State Fund, General Revenue. It is a budget measure rather than a policy bill, and it takes effect immediately upon passage. In practical terms, the bill authorizes additional state spending for the Division of Forestry during the current fiscal year ending June 30, 2026. Because it amends the state’s appropriations law, it directly affects the amount of general revenue available to the agency and may support operations, staffing, equipment, or other ongoing forestry-related expenses, though the bill does not specify the exact use of the funds. The general sentiment reflected in the voting history was strongly favorable. The bill passed the Senate by a wide margin and then passed the House with similarly strong support, with only a small number of dissenting votes in each chamber. Its immediate effective date also suggests legislative agreement that the funding was needed without delay. There is little visible contention in the available record, and no committee transcript is provided. Any disagreement appears to have been limited and likely centered on the broader appropriations decision rather than the Division of Forestry specifically. Because the bill is narrowly focused on a supplemental funding increase, it does not appear to have generated substantial debate over policy changes or statutory restructuring.

Impact

SB787 amends West Virginia’s fiscal year 2026 appropriations law by increasing general revenue funding for the Department of Commerce, Division of Forestry, under Fund 0250, Organization 0305. It changes the amount available for current expenses by $600,000 and authorizes the expenditure of additional state treasury funds from an unappropriated general revenue balance. The bill affects the Division of Forestry as the direct recipient of the supplemental appropriation and has immediate budgetary effect for the remainder of fiscal year 2026.

Sentiment

The bill was received positively overall, as shown by the strong bipartisan votes in both chambers and its passage without delay. The large margins suggest broad agreement that the supplemental appropriation was appropriate and necessary. The immediate effective date further indicates legislative urgency or consensus around funding the Division of Forestry promptly.

Contention

No committee discussion is available, and the voting record shows only limited opposition. The main point of potential contention would be the use of general revenue for a supplemental appropriation, which can raise broader budget-priority concerns, but there is no evidence in the record of organized opposition to the forestry funding itself. The bill appears to have been treated as a routine appropriations adjustment rather than a controversial policy measure.