This bill amends the Code of West Virginia to ensure that all coal severance tax proceeds are allocated directly to the county that produced the coal. Specifically, it introduces new legal language stating that, as of July 1, 2025, all coal severance tax proceeds shall be provided in an apportioned manner to the respective county that produced the coal. This change aims to enhance the financial benefits for coal-producing counties by ensuring they receive the full tax revenue generated from coal severance activities within their jurisdiction.

The bill also outlines the existing framework for the distribution of coal severance tax revenues, which includes a phased increase in the percentage of tax dedicated to coal-producing counties, the establishment of a special fund for these revenues, and specific permissible uses for the funds, such as economic development and infrastructure projects. Additionally, it mandates that counties receiving these funds must report on their expenditures and prohibits the use of the funds for personal services or bond-related costs. Overall, the bill seeks to strengthen the financial support for counties that contribute to coal production in West Virginia.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 11-13A-6a