West Virginia Senate Bill SB848

West Virginia 2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/9/26
• Refer: 2/9/26
• 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 0450

Summary

SB 848 is a supplemental appropriations bill that adds a new item to the fiscal year 2026 general revenue budget for the West Virginia Department of Homeland Security, Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation – Correctional Units. The bill appropriates $2,754,676 from surplus general revenue to cover inmate medical expenses. The measure does not create a new program or change substantive criminal justice law; instead, it adjusts the state budget by directing additional money to an existing correctional expense line item. It is tied to the state’s unappropriated surplus balance and supplements the current fiscal year appropriation for fund 0450, organization 0608, under Chapter 15A.

Impact

SB 848 amends the state’s FY 2026 appropriations law by adding a one-time general revenue appropriation for inmate medical expenses within the Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Its practical effect is to increase available funding for correctional health care costs, likely helping the agency meet medical obligations for incarcerated individuals without altering eligibility rules, correctional operations, or inmate rights statutes. The bill affects the Department of Homeland Security’s correctional units budget and the use of surplus general revenue.

Sentiment

The bill appears to have been broadly supported and noncontroversial. It passed the Senate unanimously, 32-0, and the House by a large margin, 86-2, and was made effective from passage in both chambers. The voting pattern suggests general agreement that the supplemental funding was necessary or routine.

Contention

There is little evidence of substantive contention in the available record, and no committee debate is provided. The only visible disagreement is the small number of House dissenting votes, but the record does not indicate the reasons for opposition. Any concern would likely relate to the use of surplus funds, the size of the appropriation, or correctional spending priorities rather than the bill’s legal structure.