West VirginiaWest Virginia colleges partner with Ireland for education projects
The law pairs West Virginia colleges with colleges in Ireland for education projects, with grants for two-year and four-year partnerships if lawmakers provide money.
What it does
The Alliance pairs West Virginia colleges with colleges in Ireland for exchanges and joint projects. A state four-year and two-year college must partner to qualify for a grant of up to $50,000, if lawmakers provide money.
Senate and House members appointed to the Trade Commission may qualify through an interest in education and West Virginia-Ireland trade relations, or through ties to groups that promote Irish affairs.
Argument forIf lawmakers provide money, paired colleges could use grants of up to $50,000 for exchanges and joint education projects with Ireland.
Argument againstThe grant cap and need for lawmakers to provide money could leave some college partnerships without funding.
More detail
The West Virginia-Ireland Education Alliance partners West Virginia colleges with colleges in Ireland. The grant partnership must include one state four-year college and one state two-year college. The Alliance supports student and faculty exchanges and joint education projects. A state four-year college and a state two-year college must partner to qualify for a grant of up to $50,000. Grants depend on the Legislature providing money, and the Higher Education Policy Commission decides which partnerships qualify. The law took effect March 17, 2026.
Legislative members of the Trade Commission may qualify through an interest in education and West Virginia-Ireland trade relations. This applies to two Senate members and two House members appointed to the Trade Commission. Members may also qualify through knowledge of or involvement in groups that promote Irish affairs.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jun 29Chapter 121, Acts, Regular Session, 2026Latest
- Mar 14Approved by Governor Patrick Morrisey 3/17/2026 - House JournalMajor
- Mar 14Approved by Governor Patrick Morrisey 3/17/2026Major
- Mar 14Approved by Governor Patrick Morrisey 3/17/2026 - Senate JournalBecame Law
- Mar 14To Governor 3/17/2026To Governor
- Mar 14To Governor 3/17/2026 - Senate JournalMinor
- Mar 13Completed legislative action
- Vote recorded Passage. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded Effective March 17, 2026. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 13Communicated to House
- Mar 13Effective March 17, 2026 (Roll No. 529)
- Mar 13Passed Senate (Roll No. 528)Passed Senate
- Mar 13Read 3rd timeMinor
- Mar 13On 3rd reading
- Mar 12Read 2nd timeMinor
- Mar 12On 2nd reading
- Mar 11Read 1st timeMinor
- Mar 11Immediate consideration
- Mar 11Reported do passMinor
- Mar 9To FinanceMinor
- Mar 9Reported do pass, but first to FinanceMinor
- Feb 24To EducationMinor
- Feb 24To Education then FinanceMinor
- Feb 24Introduced in SenateMinor
- Feb 23Communicated to Senate
- Vote recorded PASSAGE. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded EFFECT Mar 17, 2026. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 23Effective March 17, 2026 (Roll No. 159)
- Feb 23Passed House (Roll No. 158)Passed House
- Feb 23Read 3rd timeMinor
- Feb 23On 3rd reading, Special Calendar
- Feb 20Read 2nd timeMinor
- Feb 20On 2nd reading, Special Calendar
- Feb 19Read 1st timeMinor
- Feb 19On 1st reading, Special Calendar
- Feb 18Do pass
- Jan 20To House FinanceMinor
- Jan 20By substitute, do pass, but first to FinanceMinor
- Jan 15Markup Discussion
- Jan 14To House EducationMinor
- Jan 14Introduced in HouseMinor
- Jan 14To Education then FinanceMinor
- Jan 14Filed for introductionIntroduced
Education