West Virginia Senate Bill SB816

West Virginia 2026 Regular Session

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

Caption

Supplemental appropriation to Department of Homeland Security, fund 0430

Summary

SB816 is a supplemental appropriations bill that adds a new general revenue appropriation for fiscal year 2026 to the West Virginia Department of Homeland Security, Office of the Secretary. The bill directs $132,000 from the state’s unappropriated surplus balance in the General Revenue Fund to support the “Fusion Center,” a state intelligence and information-sharing operation housed within the department. The measure does not create a new program or change regulatory law; instead, it adjusts the state budget by authorizing an additional one-time expenditure from surplus funds. It is effective from passage and applies only to the specified fiscal year appropriation, making it a narrow fiscal measure focused on homeland security operations.

Impact

SB816 amends the state’s fiscal year 2026 appropriations act by adding a $132,000 line item to Fund 0430, Organization 0601, within the Department of Homeland Security. Its practical effect is to increase available general revenue spending authority for the Office of the Secretary and to earmark surplus funds for the Fusion Center. The bill affects state budgeting and the Department of Homeland Security, but it does not amend substantive code provisions or alter private rights and duties.

Sentiment

The bill appears to have been broadly supported and noncontroversial. It passed the Senate unanimously and the House by a large margin, and it was made effective from passage in both chambers. The voting pattern suggests general agreement that the supplemental appropriation was appropriate and routine.

Contention

There is little evidence of substantive contention in the available record, and no committee debate transcript is provided. Any potential concerns would likely relate to the use of surplus general revenue for homeland security intelligence functions, including the Fusion Center, but the recorded votes show only limited opposition in the House and none in the Senate. The absence of discussion suggests the bill was treated as a straightforward budget adjustment rather than a disputed policy change.