Bill > HB4574

This bill establishes a "Temporary Shortfall Supplement Fund for County Boards of Education" to provide condition-based emergency funding, in the form of a loan, to financially distressed counties whose reserve funding falls below five percent of available funding. A financially distressed county is defined as one that is in deficit or on the Department of Education's watch list for counties at risk of deficit. The State Board of Education will create a process for these counties to apply for and receive this funding, which is limited to covering personnel obligations and other essential operating expenses for the remainder of the fiscal year. The county must repay the loan with interest, present its financials upon request, adhere to specific reporting requirements through the West Virginia Education Information System (WVEIS) to prevent overspending, and comply with the Freedom of Information Act. Additionally, the county must implement the State Auditor’s West Virginia Checkbook fiscal reporting system within 45 days of receiving funds. The State Board of Education will report to the Legislative Oversight Commission on Education Accountability (LOCEA) if a county's reserves remain below five percent for over 60 consecutive days, and can use other identified county funds to repay the loan. The bill also defines "maladministration" as specific financial record issues or statutory noncompliance within the preceding 12 months, and employees directly responsible for such maladministration may be prohibited from financial roles in public education for at least two years, with the State Board of Education having the authority to remove them from their current financial capacity. County officers and board members in a financially distressed county may also be subject to removal for official misconduct, neglect of duty, or incompetence, with specific procedures outlined for bringing charges. Any remaining balance in the fund will revert to the General Revenue fund.

Education

http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/Bills_history.cfm?input=4574&year=2026&sessiontype=RS&btype=bill