West VirginiaState parks use mineral royalties under fund balance rules
Starting July 1, 2026, the state parks director must use part of certain mineral royalties for operating, maintaining, and improving West Virginia parks, forests, and rail trails.
What it does
Starting July 1, 2026, the state parks director must use 50 percent of certain Ohio River mineral royalties for parks, forests, and trails. The share rises to 100 percent when the fund reaches $100 million.
Argument forUsing these royalties for park operations and repairs could help keep state parks, forests, and trails open and usable.
Argument againstWhen the fund holds less than $100 million, limiting spending to half the royalties could leave fewer dollars available for current park needs.
More detail
The state parks director must distribute or spend part of certain mineral royalties on operating, maintaining, and improving state parks, forests, and rail trails. The rule covers royalties from leasing state-owned gas, oil, and other mineral rights beneath the Ohio River and its tributaries. When the fund balance is at least $100 million, all of these royalties may be used for those purposes. When the fund balance is below $100 million, only 50 percent of these royalties may be used for those purposes. Fund spending remains subject to legislative appropriations and other state budget laws. This rule applies on and after July 1, 2026.
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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
- Aug 13Chapter 161, 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 11To Governor 3/11/2026 - Senate JournalTo Governor
- Mar 11To Governor 3/11/2026Minor
- Mar 11House Message received
- Mar 10Completed legislative action
- Vote recorded EFFECT Jul 01, 2026. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded PASSAGE-SENATE AMENDED HB. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 10Communicated to Senate
- Mar 10Effective July 1, 2026 (Roll No. 377)
- Mar 10House concurred in Senate amendment and passed bill (Roll No. 376)
- Mar 10House received Senate message
- Mar 9Senate requests House to concur
- Vote recorded Passage. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded Effective July 1, 2026. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 9Effective July 1, 2026 (Roll No. 372)
- Mar 9Passed Senate (Roll No. 371)Passed Senate
- Mar 9Read 3rd timeMinor
- Mar 9On 3rd reading
- Mar 6Committee amendment adopted (Voice vote)
- Mar 6Read 2nd timeMinor
- Mar 6On 2nd reading
- Mar 5Read 1st timeMinor
- Mar 5On 1st reading
- Mar 4Reported do pass, with amendmentMinor
- Feb 27To FinanceMinor
- Feb 27To FinanceMinor
- Feb 27Introduced in SenateMinor
- Feb 26Communicated to Senate
- Vote recorded PASSAGE. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded EFFECT Jul 01, 2026. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 26Effective July 1, 2026 (Roll No. 198)
- Feb 26Passed House (Roll No. 197)Passed House
- Feb 26Read 3rd timeMinor
- Feb 26Read 3rd timeMinor
- Feb 26On 3rd reading, Special Calendar
- Feb 25Read 2nd timeMinor
- Feb 25On 2nd reading, Special Calendar
- Feb 24Read 1st timeMinor
- Feb 24On 1st reading, Special Calendar
- Feb 23By substitute, do pass
- Feb 5To House FinanceMinor
- Jan 29To House RevenueMinor
- Jan 14To House FinanceMinor
- Jan 14Introduced in HouseMinor
- Jan 14To FinanceMinor
- Jan 14Filed for introductionIntroduced
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