The civic record
Read. Follow. Verify.West Virginia renames and restructures the Charter Schools Startup Fund to expand grant uses and application rules
Last action · February 17, 2026: To House FinanceSponsor: Kathie Hess Crouse
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What This Bill Proposed
West Virginia House Bill 4817 renames the Charter Schools Stimulus Fund to the Charter Schools Startup Fund, expands the allowable uses of grant money to cover personnel, equipment, and operating costs, and establishes a prioritizing rural and independent schools when funding requests exceed available money.
Charter school operators and applicants face altered application requirements, expanded funding eligibility for operational expenses up to $400,000 total in grants, and new competitive criteria favoring rural locations and schools operating without s.
- West Virginia law authorizes the creation and operation of public charter schools overseen by the West Virginia Professional Charter School Board. context
Who It Would Have Affected
Groups the bill's text would have affected, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Charter school applicants
Applicants face updated application requirements, expanded expense eligibility for startup funds, and competitive preference rules based on location and provider independence.
Public charter schools
Operating charter schools may apply for additional grants up to $100,000 and utilize funds for ongoing operational and facility needs.
West Virginia Professional Charter School Board
The board is tasked with administering the renamed fund, reviewing separate applications, and establishing a competitive preference system when demand exceeds funding.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the new name of the fund?
What happens if a charter school receives a grant but never opens?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
This bill did not become law - Died at adjournment · in House committee.
Procedural history
10 actions- Feb 17, 2026HouseCommitteeTo House Finance
- Feb 17, 2026HouseDo pass, but first to Finance
- Feb 13, 2026HouseMarkup Discussion
- Feb 3, 2026HouseCommitteeTo House Education
- Feb 1, 2026HouseMarkup Discussion
- Jan 28, 2026HouseCommitteeTo House Educational Choice
Show 4 earlier actions
- Jan 26, 2026HouseCommitteeTo House Education
- Jan 26, 2026HouseIntroducedIntroduced in House
- Jan 26, 2026HouseCommitteeTo Education then Finance
- Jan 26, 2026HouseIntroducedFiled for introduction
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Connected Entities
Sources
www.wvlegislature.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance20Lowered because this bill did not pass (its text scored 55)
- Controversy40Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment10Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz25Current news / social attention level
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