Bill > HB4126

This bill continues the West Virginia State Parks and Recreation Endowment Fund, which receives royalties from state-owned gas, oil, and other mineral rights beneath the Ohio River and its tributaries, as well as gifts and grants designated for the fund. The bill modifies how income from this fund is distributed, allowing for expenditures on maintenance, repair, and improvement of existing recreational facilities, including infrastructure and associated features, and for the procurement of necessary fixtures, furnishings, and equipment to ensure public enjoyment of state parks, forests, and rail trails. Crucially, starting July 1, 2026, fifty percent of the royalties deposited into the fund will be directly used for the operation, maintenance, and improvement of these state recreational areas by the director, with a provision that if the fund's balance reaches or exceeds $100 million, one hundred percent of these royalties will be so allocated, and if the balance falls below $100 million, the allocation will revert to fifty percent until the balance is restored. Additionally, the bill clarifies that the fund's assets can be used to support the State Parks Enhancement Loan Insurance Program, but investment income from the fund cannot be used for loan insurance.

Budget and Finance

http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/Bills_history.cfm?input=4126&year=2026&sessiontype=RS&btype=bill