Remaining lottery profits support West Virginia emergency medical services

The Lottery Commission transfers available lottery profits to three EMS funds each year. The funds support emergency medical services in West Virginia counties and the state EMS office’s crisis response and mental health work. Transfers occur only after other required allocations and debt payments. If remaining profits cannot cover the listed amounts, the transfers are reduced proportionally. The Lottery Commission transfers funds after each fiscal year.

The EMS director distributes two funds to county EMS departments. County commissions receive the money and pass it to emergency medical services departments in their counties. One fund is shared only among counties with a countywide levy or fee dedicated to EMS. The other serves all counties. Each fund is distributed by population, and the money must be used only for EMS in the county. The law does not set a distribution date.

The EMS director administers the crisis response and mental health treatment fund and reports on its use. The fund serves county EMS workers or county-designated or contracted EMS providers; lottery money may also be distributed to counties under the stated conditions. The fund may pay for training, equipment and supplies, facility upkeep, and crisis response. The first $1 million transferred from lottery profits is for EMS worker mental health treatment and training. A county receiving lottery money must provide a 30 percent match from county funds or other sources. The EMS office reports each year by July 1 on county distributions, workers receiving salary increases, and funding recommendations.

Certified microgrid districts and high impact data centers need not follow many local rules, but must pay applicable local fees. These rules apply to state-certified microgrid districts and high impact data centers, at any stage of development or operation. Owners, operators, managers, and tenants must pay applicable local service fees, including fire or ambulance fees, but cannot be charged both county and municipal fire fees. Projects must follow the state building code. The rules apply while the project is certified, at any stage of development or operation.