West Virginia House Bill HB5465

West Virginia 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/5/24
• Refer: 2/5/24

Caption

Supplementing and amending appropriations to the Department of Commerce, Office of the Secretary

Impact

The approval of HB 5465 would facilitate an increase in the financial resources available to the Department of Commerce, thereby possibly enhancing its capacity to promote economic growth, marketing, and communications efforts within the state. This bill reflects the extensive legislative focus on financial management and appropriation during the budget session, indicating an administrative strategy to ensure that the surplus funds are effectively allocated to support departmental objectives and state initiatives.

Summary

House Bill 5465 is a legislative proposal aimed at supplementing and amending the appropriations of public moneys allocated to the Department of Commerce's Office of the Secretary. The bill was introduced on February 5, 2024, during the regular session of the West Virginia legislature. Its primary goal is to utilize the unappropriated surplus balance in the State Fund, General Revenue for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024. This involves enhancing the budget allocated specifically to the Department of Commerce by adding a new item of appropriation, which is significant for funding state operations and programs.

Sentiment

The overall sentiment surrounding HB 5465 appears to be cautiously optimistic. Proponents of the bill, likely including members of the governing party, view it as a necessary step towards fortifying the Department of Commerce's budget during a time when unappropriated surplus funds are available. However, there may also be concerns from fiscal watchdogs or minority party members regarding transparency and accountability in how these funds are utilized. The discussion may be framed around the importance of responsible budgeting in relation to surplus funds.

Contention

While the specifics of the discussions around HB 5465 are not detailed in the snippets available, as with any appropriation bill, contention may arise concerning the prioritization of funding and the sufficiency of the budget for various state programs. Questions may be raised regarding whether the funds allocated to the Department of Commerce will effectively address the economic needs and priorities of West Virginia's communities, and whether other areas requiring funding might be neglected as a result of this appropriation decision.