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HB 4021

Bring them Home Fund.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Roger Hanshaw and 1 co-sponsor

West Virginia bill establishing a "Bring them Home Fund" referred to health and finance committees to address population return and retention, pending detailed program specifications.

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Bill Summary · HB 4021

Legislative bill overview

HB 4021, the "Bring them Home Fund," is a West Virginia bill currently in early legislative stages that appears designed to address bringing individuals back to the state, though specific details on funding mechanisms and target populations are not provided in the available action summary. The bill has been referred to House Health and Human Resources and Finance committees, suggesting it involves both healthcare/social services and budgetary considerations.

Why is this important

West Virginia has experienced significant population decline and out-migration in recent decades, particularly among working-age adults seeking economic opportunities. A fund specifically addressing return migration could impact the state's workforce, tax base, and community revitalization efforts, while also potentially addressing healthcare capacity and social services needs in rural areas.

Potential points of contention

  • Funding source ambiguity: Without details on how the fund is capitalized, there's unclear cost to the state and potential trade-offs with other budget priorities
  • Target population definition: The bill's scope is vague—unclear whether it targets specific demographics (young professionals, healthcare workers, etc.) or all out-migrants
  • Effectiveness assumptions: Evidence on whether financial incentives actually drive sustainable return migration is mixed; without clear program design details, the fund's actual impact remains speculative

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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