West Virginia House Bill HB3519

West Virginia 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/14/23
• Refer: 2/14/23
• Engrossed: 2/27/23
• Refer: 2/28/23
• Report Pass: 3/1/23
• Enrolled: 3/3/23
• Passed: 3/11/23
• Chaptered: 5/1/23

Caption

Making a supplementary appropriation to the Department of Transportation, Division of Motor Vehicles

Impact

The passage of HB 3519 will enable the Department of Transportation to utilize an additional $100,000 in federal funding for personal services and employee benefits. This increase in available funds is expected to support not only the operational costs but also the potential expansion of services offered by the Division of Motor Vehicles. Such appropriations are integral as they aim to improve transportation infrastructure and services statewide, which can have positive ripple effects on both the economy and public safety.

Summary

House Bill 3519 is designed to make a supplementary appropriation to the Department of Transportation, specifically targeting the Division of Motor Vehicles. This bill allows for the allocation of remaining federal funds for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023. The initiative reflects the state’s response to available federal resources to assist in enhancing services within the transportation sector, particularly through the Division of Motor Vehicles.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HB 3519 appears to be largely positive. With a unanimous voting record of 31 yeas and no nays on the bill when it passed on March 3, 2023, there seems to be strong bipartisan support for the appropriation measure. Legislators likely view the influx of federal funds as an opportunity to bolster state services without imposing additional financial burdens on the state budget.

Contention

Despite the positive sentiment, some concerns may arise regarding the ongoing reliance on federal funds to support state operations and the sustainability of such measures in the long term. While this specific appropriation does not seem to face significant contention, its implications on future budgeting and the balancing of state expenditures against federal contributions could be a point of discussion among stakeholders. As the fiscal dependency on federal aid continues, it raises questions about the state's financial autonomy and strategic planning moving forward.