West Virginia Senate Bill SB847

West Virginia 2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/9/26
• Refer: 2/9/26

Caption

Supplemental Appropriation to Department of Human Services, fund 0489

Summary

SB847 is a supplemental appropriations bill that adds a new fiscal year 2026 general revenue item for the Department of Human Services, Bureau for Social Services – Foster Care. The bill directs $6,000,000 from the State Fund’s unappropriated surplus balance to a new “Directed Transfer – Surplus” line item in fund 0489, organization 0511, and specifies that the money is to be transferred to the Bring Them Home Fund. The measure does not create a new program or change substantive eligibility rules; instead, it authorizes a one-time transfer of surplus general revenue to support foster care-related spending through the Bring Them Home Fund. As a supplemental appropriation, it amends the state budget for fiscal year 2026 and affects the Department of Human Services’ foster care account by adding spending authority for the designated transfer.

Impact

SB847 would amend West Virginia’s fiscal year 2026 appropriations law by adding a new general revenue appropriation within the Department of Human Services, Bureau for Social Services – Foster Care account. It authorizes the use of surplus state funds and directs a $6 million transfer to the Bring Them Home Fund, thereby increasing available resources for foster care-related purposes without changing underlying statutory duties or benefit eligibility provisions.

Sentiment

The available context suggests a generally supportive or routine budgetary posture toward the bill, as it was introduced by the Senate President and another senator by request of the Executive. No committee debate, recorded votes, or opposition statements are provided, so there is no evidence of controversy in the available record. The bill’s framing as a supplemental appropriation indicates it is primarily a fiscal implementation measure rather than a policy dispute.

Contention

No specific points of contention are documented in the provided materials because there are no committee transcripts, amendments, or vote records. Potential areas of interest, based on the text alone, could include the use of surplus general revenue, the size of the transfer, and the policy priorities of directing funds to the Bring Them Home Fund within foster care services. However, the record supplied does not identify any lawmakers, agencies, or stakeholders taking opposing positions.