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HB 5190

Increase conservation funding by $300,000, with the increase only to be allocated based on the head count of cattle and/or large livestock

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jeff Campbell and 2 co-sponsors

HB 5190 adds $300,000 to West Virginia conservation funding distributed solely based on cattle and livestock population counts rather than conservation needs assessments.

To House Finance
#agriculture
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Bill Summary · HB 5190

Legislative bill overview

HB 5190 allocates an additional $300,000 to conservation funding in West Virginia, with the distribution formula tied directly to the number of cattle and large livestock in each county or region. This ties public conservation resources to livestock inventory rather than traditional conservation needs assessments or acreage metrics.

Why is this important

Conservation funding allocation methods determine which land management practices, erosion control projects, and environmental programs receive resources. This bill's livestock-based formula could redirect conservation dollars toward pasture management and livestock-supporting infrastructure, potentially shifting priorities away from other conservation goals like watershed protection, habitat restoration, or soil conservation on non-livestock lands.

Potential points of contention

  • Fairness of allocation formula: Critics may argue that conservation needs (erosion, water quality, habitat loss) don't correlate with livestock density, potentially underfunding regions with high conservation needs but lower livestock counts
  • Agricultural bias: The formula prioritizes livestock operations over other land uses and conservation priorities, which environmental advocates may view as subsidizing agricultural interests through conservation funding
  • Implementation questions: Unclear how "head count" would be verified, updated, or applied geographically—whether by county, watershed, or individual property—creating potential administrative and equity issues

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

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