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HB 5277

Supplemental Appropriation to the Department of Health Facilities-Welch Community Hospital, William R. Sharpe Jr. Hospital, and Mildred Mitchell-Bateman Hospital from the Unappropriated Surplus Balance

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

The bill provides a supplemental appropriation from the unappropriated surplus to support operations or capital needs at Welch Community Hospital, William R. Sharpe Jr. Hospital, a

Chapter 41, Acts, Regular Session, 2026
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Bill Summary · HB 5277

Overview

  • Bill: HB 5277
  • Session: 2026
  • Jurisdiction: West Virginia
  • Title: Supplemental Appropriation to the Department of Health Facilities-Welch Community Hospital, William R. Sharpe Jr. Hospital, and Mildred Mitchell-Bateman Hospital from the Unappropriated Surplus Balance
  • Status: Passed both chambers and approved by the Governor in March 2026
  • Primary sponsors: Rep. (House) with co-sponsors Sen. Sean Hornbuckle and Sen. Roger Hanshaw (note: sponsors listed as co-sponsors in the provided materials)

Main purpose and intent

The bill authorizes a supplemental appropriation from the unappropriated surplus balance to fund operations or capital needs of three West Virginia health facilities:
- Welch Community Hospital
- William R. Sharpe Jr. Hospital
- Mildred Mitchell-Bateman Hospital

In short, it transfers available surplus state funds to these specific health facilities to support their ongoing needs.

Key provisions and changes

  • Source of funds: Unappropriated surplus balance (a available general fund balance not currently allocated to other programs or appropriations).
  • Recipient facilities:
    • Welch Community Hospital
    • William R. Sharpe Jr. Hospital
    • Mildred Mitchell-Bateman Hospital
  • Amount: The bill text provided does not include the exact dollar figure. The core provision is the supplemental appropriation from the unappropriated surplus to the three named facilities.
  • Purpose scope: The bill designates the funds to be used by these health facilities as a supplemental appropriation, which typically supports operations, debt service, maintenance, or capital projects as determined by state budget authorities and facility administrators.
  • Effective date: The legislative actions indicate the bill became effective upon passage, with the Governor’s approval occurring in March 2026. The resolution notes “Effective from passage” for the act.

Who or what would be affected

  • State finances: The unappropriated surplus balance would be reduced by the appropriation amount, affecting the state’s available general fund cushion.
  • The three health facilities: Welch Community Hospital, William R. Sharpe Jr. Hospital, and Mildred Mitchell-Bateman Hospital would receive targeted funding to support their needs.
  • Administration and budgeting processes: The Department of Health Facilities (or the relevant department managing these facilities) would administer the funds in accordance with state budgetary rules and reporting requirements.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduction and referral:
    • Filed February 6, 2026
    • Referred to House Finance
  • Legislative actions:
    • House: Passed on March 12, 2026 (special calendar third reading; effective from passage)
    • Senate: Read and passed on March 14, 2026 (with immediate consideration and expedited processes)
    • Governor: Approved on March 19, 2026
  • Enactment: The act is described as effective from passage, with communications to the House and Senate journals recording the governor’s signature and date.

Notes and context

  • The bill represents a targeted, non-general fund appropriation intended to support three facilities within West Virginia’s health system.
  • Specific dollar amounts, eligible expenditures, or reporting requirements are not included in the provided text; those details would typically appear in the enacted statute or the appropriations bill language accompanying the act.

If you’d like, I can add a concise table of potential uses for the funds (operational support, infrastructure/maintenance, debt service, program expansion) based on common practices for supplemental appropriations to health facilities.

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

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