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HB 4859WEST VIRGINIASession 2026State Billdead

Did Not Advance

West Virginia Bill 4859 Allows County School Boards to Add Career Technical Education to Local High Schools

Original title: Allowing a county board of education participating in the operation of a multicounty vocational center to withdraw

Last action · January 28, 2026: To House EducationSponsor: Joe Funkhouser

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

Law

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What This Bill Proposed

County school boards participating in a may now determine that a career technical education program be part of the local high school. The legislation allows such programs to be either state-approved or locally created, and modifies construction planning provisions for counties served by multicounty vocational facilities.

Why it matters

Changes how county boards manage career technical education offerings and school construction planning relative to regional vocational centers.

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.

Directly affected

County boards of education

County boards gain the authority to integrate career technical education programs into local high schools and alter vocational facility construction plans.

Directly affected

Multicounty vocational centers

Center directors and boards must be included in planning complementary programs, and their existing offerings cannot be replaced without their consent.

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

Can a county board add a career technical education program to a local high school?

Yes, county boards participating in a may determine that a career technical education program be part of the local high school.

Are counties served by multicounty vocational facilities required to build a comprehensive vocational facility when constructing a new high school?

No, the county may not be required to include the construction of a comprehensive vocational facility in the plan.

What else do you want to know?

News Coverage

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Where This Stands

This bill did not become law - Died at adjournment · in House committee.

Procedural history

4 actions

Jan 28, 2026HouseCommittee
To House Education
Jan 28, 2026HouseIntroduced
Introduced in House
Jan 28, 2026HouseCommittee
To Education
Jan 28, 2026HouseIntroduced
Filed 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.

Connected Entities

Higher Education Policy Commission, School Building Authority

OrganizationHigher Education Policy Commission“Collaborates on funding for facilities for community and technical college educa”Map →

OrganizationSchool Building Authority“Approves high school construction and provides funding and technical assistance.”Map →

Sources

Open source document

www.wvlegislature.gov

Analysis Score

0–100

Significance20
Lowered because this bill did not pass (its text scored 45)
Controversy10
Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
Entertainment5
Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
Buzz15
Current news / social attention level

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