West Virginia House Bill HB215

West Virginia 2024 2nd Special Session

• Introduced: 9/30/24
• Refer: 9/30/24
• Engrossed: 10/7/24
• Enrolled: 10/8/24
• Passed: 10/8/24
• Chaptered: 10/31/24

Caption

Supplementing and amending appropriations to Division of Environmental Protection

Impact

The passage of HB215 directly impacts the operations and management of environmental programs within West Virginia. By allocating additional resources to the Department of Environmental Protection, the bill aims to enhance the state's capability to address environmental challenges effectively. This funding could potentially support various initiatives including pollution control, natural resource management, and sustainability efforts, although specific projects were not detailed in the legislative text provided.

Summary

House Bill 215 is an appropriations bill that supplements the budget of the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025. The bill addresses funding adjustments from an unappropriated surplus balance in the State Fund, General Revenue. It is a legislative response to the need for additional financial resources for environmental initiatives and programs. The Governor's Executive Budget Document outlined these necessities, and subsequent messages provided updates on state revenue forecasts facilitating this appropriations amendment.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HB215 appears to be positively oriented, as indicated by the unanimous voting outcome. With 30 yeas and no nays recorded during the voting process, it reflects strong bipartisan support for the additional appropriations proposed in this bill. Legislators recognize the importance of bolstering environmental protection efforts in light of available surplus funds, which may align with broader state priorities toward sustainable development.

Contention

While HB215 did not show significant contention during the legislative discussion or voting process, it is essential to consider that appropriations bills can occasionally face scrutiny regarding the prioritization of funds. Some stakeholders may advocate for different allocations or criticize the sufficiency of the environmental budget. However, in this case, the bill proceeded smoothly through the legislative process, suggesting broad agreement on the importance of funding environmental protection initiatives in West Virginia.