HB 4575, the $8 million dollar bill to aid Hancock County is currently on 2nd reading in the Senate. The bill, sponsored by Del. Pat McGeehan (R-1st), was fast tracked through the House of Delegates, along with HB 4574 which outlines criteria for receiving the rescue funding.

The Senate is expected to convene at 11 a.m., Friday to take up bills. The 2nd reading is amendment stage and the following committee amendment is pending.

“That the total appropriation for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026, to fund 0313, fiscal year 2026, organization 0402, be supplemented and amended by adding a new item of appropriation as follows:

Title II – Appropriations.

Section 1. Appropriations from general revenue.

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

49 – State Board of Education –

State Department of Education

(W.V. Code Chapters 18 and 18A)

Fund 0313 FY 2026 Org 0402

       General

Appro- Revenue

priation Fund

38a Hancock County Board of Education – Surplus xxxxx 8,000,000That the total appropriation for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026, to fund 0313, fiscal year 2026, organization 0402, be supplemented and amended by adding a new item of appropriation as follows:

HB4575 will be on 3rd reading for passage on Monday. If the bill is passed, it will return to the House. If the House version and the Senate version differ in any way the House can accept the amendment (concur) and the bill goes to the Governor. If the amendments are not accepted by the House, a conference committee made up of 3-5 members of the House and 3-5 members of the Senate is appointed to work out agreed to language.