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SCR 3

Requesting Joint Committee on Government and Finance study funding for Flood Resiliency Fund

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Mike Oliverio

Study and report on sustainable funding sources (state, federal, best practices) to capitalize and sustain the Flood Resiliency Trust Fund in WV.

To Finance
#resolutions(interimstudy)
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SCR 3

Overview

Senate Concurrent Resolution 3 (SCR 3), introduced in the West Virginia Senate on February 13, 2026, requests the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to study and make recommendations on funding the West Virginia Flood Resiliency Fund (Flood Resiliency Trust Fund). The resolution directs a broad examination of revenue sources, federal opportunities, and governance approaches to capitalize and sustain the fund in support of the state’s Flood Resiliency Plan.

Purpose and intent

  • Aims to identify viable, sustainable funding mechanisms to capitalize and maintain the Flood Resiliency Trust Fund at levels sufficient to implement the state's Flood Resiliency Plan.
  • Seeks to address identified funding gaps and enable continued progress on flood resilience across the state.

Key provisions and study scope

The resolution requires the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to study, and report back with findings, conclusions, and recommendations (including proposed legislation) on the following areas:

1) State revenue sources
- Explore dedicated, recurring state revenue streams to fund the Flood Resiliency Trust Fund.
- Examples mentioned include allocations from the severance tax, insurance surcharges, or other existing revenue sources.

2) Federal matching and grant programs
- Assess federal opportunities to maximize state investments, such as:
- Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program
- Community Development Block Grant disaster recovery funds (CDBG-DR)
- Other federal programs with potential matching or grants for flood resilience

3) Inter-state best practices
- Review how other states have established dedicated flood resilience or disaster mitigation funds.
- Examine funding mechanisms, governance structures, and outcomes from those examples.

4) Capitalization and ongoing funding needs
- Determine an appropriate initial capitalization level for the Flood Resiliency Trust Fund.
- Estimate ongoing annual funding required to advance the Flood Resiliency Plan’s six core goals.

5) Use of surplus funds (Income Tax Reserve Fund)
- Evaluate the feasibility and fiscal impact of directing allocations from excess monies in the Income Tax Reserve Fund (codified at §11-21-96) to provide initial or ongoing capitalization for the Flood Resiliency Trust Fund.

Background context

  • Flooding is characterized as a frequent and destructive natural hazard in West Virginia, with impacts on life, property, emergency services, and the economy.
  • The state previously established the State Resiliency Office (2017) and the Joint Legislative Committee on Flooding (via HB 2935) to coordinate disaster resilience efforts.
  • In 2023, Senate Bill 677 created the West Virginia Flood Resiliency Trust Fund, with initial funding possible up to $40 million from General Revenue and potential annual replenishment up to $40 million.
  • The State Resiliency Office published the WV Flood Resiliency Plan in 2024, outlining six core goals: 1) Improve flood data and mapping 2) Update flood and community planning 3) Implement stream and watershed interventions 4) Protect critical infrastructure 5) Ensure emergency access and response capabilities 6) Advance long-term risk reduction measures
  • Despite a clear plan, funding strategy for sustained capitalization of the Flood Resiliency Trust Fund remains a gap, prompting this study.

Timeline and reporting

  • The Joint Committee on Government and Finance is instructed to report its findings, conclusions, and recommendations (including proposed legislation) to the Senate no later than January 1, 2027.
  • The proposed legislation stemming from the report would be considered during the 2027 legislative session.

Potential impact and considerations

  • If adopted, SCR 3 would initiate a comprehensive review of funding strategies for flood resilience, potentially shaping future revenue measures, federal grant utilization, and governance for the Flood Resiliency Trust Fund.
  • Recommendations could influence state budgeting priorities, enabling more robust capital and ongoing funding for flood resilience projects aligned with the six plan goals.
  • The study may also examine constitutional or statutory mechanisms (e.g., reallocations from the Income Tax Reserve Fund) and their fiscal implications, impacting state revenue planning.

Who is affected

  • State government, particularly the Flood Resiliency Trust Fund administrators (State Resiliency Office), the Joint Committee on Government and Finance, the legislature, and agencies responsible for flood resilience projects.
  • Stakeholders in flood-affected communities seeking expanded resilience funding and infrastructure improvements.

Summary

SCR 3 calls for a targeted, multi-source funding study to determine sustainable, long-term financing for West Virginia’s Flood Resiliency Trust Fund, leveraging state revenue, federal programs, and best practices from other states, with a final report and legislative recommendations due by January 1, 2027.

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

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