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Bill

SB 399

Creating Bring Them Home Fund

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Mike Woelfel

Create a dedicated Bring Them Home Fund with approved uses, governance, and funding to support reintegration or related programs for eligible individuals.

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Bill Summary · SB 399

Bill overview

SB 399, introduced in the West Virginia Senate in the 2026 session and titled “Creating Bring Them Home Fund,” seeks to establish a dedicated state fund and related programmatic authorities to support specific objectives implied by the title. The bill’s action history shows initial referrals to health, human resources, judiciary, and finance committees, with subsequent committee substitutes and reports routed through Finance.

Main purpose and intent

  • Create a Bring Them Home Fund (the Fund) to support eligible programs or individuals, as specified in the bill.
  • Provide a dedicated funding mechanism to support activities aligned with bringing individuals home, which typically in policy contexts relates to vulnerable populations, returning veterans, residents returning to the state, or similar reintegration or support efforts. Note: the bill’s text would define the precise scope and target beneficiaries.

Key provisions and changes (as typically found in similar “Bring Them Home” or reintegration funds)

  • Establishment of the Fund: Creation of a new state fund separate from General Revenue, with designated funding sources, governance, and eligible expenditures.
  • Funding sources: The bill likely specifies one or more sources (e.g., state budget allocations, grants, federal funds, private donations, or transfers) to capitalize the Fund. The exact sources and any limits or matching requirements would be defined in the bill.
  • Administration and governance: Usually includes a program administrator or an advisory committee, appointment processes, reporting requirements, and accountability measures to ensure funds are used for intended purposes.
  • Eligible expenditures: Criteria for what costs or programs the Fund can support (e.g., housing assistance, education, employment services, case management, transportation, healthcare access, or other reintegration services). The bill would specify allowable and prohibited uses.
  • Application and eligibility: Procedures for entities or individuals to receive funds or benefits, including any eligibility thresholds or priority populations.
  • Oversight and reporting: Requirements for annual or periodic reporting on fund balance, expenditures, outcomes, and audit provisions.
  • Sunset or review provisions: Possible timing for evaluation or sunset of the Fund, or requirements for periodic legislative review.

Who would be affected

  • State agencies: Agencies responsible for administering the Fund and implementing eligible programs (e.g., health and human resources, judiciary, or finance offices as indicated by committee references).
  • Eligible beneficiaries: Individuals or groups targeted by the Fund (e.g., returning residents, people needing housing or reintegration services, or other specified beneficiaries).
  • Nonprofit and service providers: Organizations applying for grants or contracts to deliver eligible services.
  • Taxpayers and state budget: The Fund’s existence and use of state resources could influence allocation priorities and future budget considerations.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduction and referrals: Filed January 15, 2026; initially referred to Health and Human Resources, then Finance; later to Judiciary and Finance.
  • Committee action: A committee substitute was reported February 24, 2026, with a first reference to Finance, indicating refinement and potential changes to fiscal provisions.
  • Next steps: If advanced, the bill would proceed to full Senate consideration, potential cross-over to the House (if applicable in West Virginia), and legislative hearings on fiscal impact and program design.
  • Fiscal implications: The Finance committee involvement suggests consideration of the Fund’s capitalization, ongoing funding needs, and long-term sustainability. The exact fiscal impact would be detailed in the bill’s fiscal note.

Important notes

  • The precise definitions of “Bring Them Home Fund,” eligible beneficiaries, and detailed program rules will be in the bill’s full text and any accompanying fiscal notes. This summary reflects the high-level structure inferred from the title and committee actions.
  • For stakeholders, key questions to review in the bill text include: what are the authorized uses, who administers the fund, how is it funded, and what reporting and accountability measures are imposed.

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

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