The Senate met on Monday morning and passed several bills, introduced Senate Bills 944-959, and passed Senate Resolutions, including Senate Resolution 42, which memorializes the life of the Honorable Walter Dolph Helmick.
Senate Bill 1 is the first bill from the 2026 West Virginia Legislature Session that has completed legislative action. The Legislation now heads to the Governor’s desk.
This bill would establish the Small Business Growth Act, which would be administered by the Department of Commerce.
The Small Business Growth Act is a program that would provide private investments into small businesses across West Virginia. Growth Funds would apply to the state for approval to qualify and must complete the following:
- Have major prior investment experience of at least $100 million in rural or small company investments.
- Submit a 10-year economic impact study.
- Pay a $5,000 application fee.
Funds must invest 100 percent of their money into eligible West Virginia businesses within three years and maintain those investments for six years. The program would track job creation, salaries, and economic impact, with the state able to recapture credits if the rules aren’t followed. The bill would take effect January 1, 2027.
Senator Eric J. Tarr (R – Putman, 04) proposed an amendment that would change the title of the bill to “WV First Small Business Growth Act” and allow small business owners to receive tax credits for investing directly into their own companies, not just through growth funds. It also updates definitions, uses the 2020 census for eligibility, and delays when credits can first be claimed until 2029.
Following a discussion, the amendment was rejected.
The bill was passed by the Senate and has now completed legislative action.
The Senate also honored Walter Dolph Helmick who was elected to the West Virginia House of Delegates in 1988; and was appointed to the West Virginia Senate on September 13, 1989, to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Larry A. Tucker; and whereas, following his appointment to the Senate, the Honorable Walter Dolph Helmick was elected to six terms: 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002, 2006, and 2010.
Senate Resolution 42: Memorializing the life of the Honorable Walter Dolph Helmick states, “The Senate hereby memorializes the life of the Honorable Walter Dolph Helmick, coal miner, welder, teacher, businessman, Mason, former West Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture, former member of the West Virginia House of Delegates, former member of the West Virginia Senate, statesman, and dedicated public servant. The Senate extends its sympathies to the family of the Honorable Walter Dolph Helmick on his passing”.
Afternoon Meetings:
Transportation and Infrastructure at 2 p.m. in Room 451M
Workforce at 2 p.m. in Room 208W
Pensions at 2:45 p.m. in Room 451M
Energy, Industry, and Mining at 2:45 p.m. in Room 208W
Finance at 3:15 p.m. in Room 451M
Judiciary at 3:15 p.m. in Room 208W
Morning Meetings for Feb. 17:
Education at 9:30 a.m. in Room 451M
Government Organization at 9:30 a.m. in Room 208W
The Senate is adjourned until tomorrow, Feb. 17, at 11 a.m.
