This bill amends the Code of West Virginia to mandate that local governments, including county commissions, municipalities, urban renewal authorities, land reuse agencies, and municipal land banks, provide matching funds amounting to 20% of the total grant awarded by the Department of Environmental Protection under the Reclamation of Abandoned and Dilapidated Properties Program. However, these entities can be exempted from this requirement if they can demonstrate fiscal incapacity, supported by data from the West Virginia State Auditor's Office. Additionally, starting July 1, 2026, local governments must allocate all fines related to property maintenance and repair into a separate account specifically for meeting the matching requirements for these grants or for the demolition of condemned properties.

The bill also includes provisions for the Department of Environmental Protection to propose rules for the administration of the fund and the program, ensuring that the disbursement of funds and eligibility criteria are clearly defined. The intent of the legislation is to enhance the remediation of abandoned and dilapidated properties by ensuring that local governments contribute financially to the efforts, thereby promoting community redevelopment and safety.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 22-15A-30