West Virginia 2026 Session Status: Enacted 1 R cosponsors

SB 490 — Approving short-term training programs for eligibility for federal Workforce Pell Grants

Last action — Chapter 294, Acts, Regular Session, 2026

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed Senate
  4. ✓
    Passed House of Delegates
  5. ✓
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 19, 2026. Enacted.

Odds of enactment

High chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a high chance of becoming law.

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A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.

Prognosis

Likely to advance 78% · moderate confidence

  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 4 sponsors

    1 primary, 3 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (1 R).

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 2 recorded votes so far.

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

In plain language

The bill approves short-term training programs for federal Workforce Pell Grants eligibility.

This bill allows specific short-term training programs to qualify for federal Workforce Pell Grants, providing more educational funding options. It aims to support individuals seeking quick training for workforce entry or improvement.

What this means for you
  • Workers: If you're looking for quick training to improve your job skills, this bill may increase your funding options.
  • Families: Families seeking affordable training options for members entering the workforce may find more available programs under this bill.

Summary

Approving short-term training programs for eligibility for federal Workforce Pell Grants

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

34 added · 15 removed

Plain-language change summary

The revised bill, SB 490, introduces changes to establish a Workforce Pell Grant program in West Virginia, which will help determine eligibility for federal funding for short-term workforce training programs. The updated version specifies the West Virginia Workforce Development Board's role in overseeing this process and requires them to report on institutions offering participating programs. This change is significant because it aims to improve access to training opportunities for job seekers, thereby enhancing workforce development and addressing employment barriers in the state.

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WEST VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 490 BYS ENATORSRUCKER , OBERTS, OSE ,ANDBARTLETT [Reported February 3, 2026, from the Committee on the Workforce] CS for SB 490 A BILL to amend and reenact §5B-2B-4 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended;
WEST VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION Enrolled Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 490 BYS ENATORSRUCKER , OBERTS, OSE ,ANDBARTLETT [Passed March 12, 2026;
and to amend the code by adding a new article, designated §5B-12-1, §5B-12-2, §5B-12-3, §5B- 12-4, §5B-12-5, and §5B-12-6, relating to the Workforce Pell Grant program;
to take effect July 1, 2026] Enr CS for SB 490 AN ACT to amend and reenact §5B-2B-4 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended;
and to amend the code by adding a new article, designated §5B-12-1, §5B-12-2, §5B-12-3, §5B-12-4, §5B-12-5, and §5B-12-6, relating to the Workforce Pell Grant program;
CS for SB 490 (2) Review of statewide policies, programs, and recommendations on actions that should be taken by the state to align workforce development programs to support a comprehensive and streamlined workforce development system.
Enr CS for SB 490 (2) Review of statewide policies, programs, and recommendations on actions that should be taken by the state to align workforce development programs to support a comprehensive and streamlined workforce development system.
and CS for SB 490 (G) Development of strategies to support staff training and awareness across the workforce development system and its programs;
and Enr CS for SB 490 (G) Development of strategies to support staff training and awareness across the workforce development system and its programs;
and CS for SB 490 (C) Policies relating to the appropriate roles and contributions of entities carrying out one- stop partner programs within the one-stop delivery system, including approaches to facilitating equitable and efficient cost allocation in the system;
and Enr CS for SB 490 (C) Policies relating to the appropriate roles and contributions of entities carrying out one- stop partner programs within the one-stop delivery system, including approaches to facilitating equitable and efficient cost allocation in the system;
and CS for SB 490 (12) Development of other policies as may promote statewide objectives for and enhance the performance of the workforce development system in the state;
Enr CS for SB 490 (12) Development of other policies as may promote statewide objectives for and enhance the performance of the workforce development system in the state;
§ 1070a, of at least 150 CS for SB 490 clock hours of instruction, but less than 600 clock hours of instruction, or an equivalent number of credit hours during a minimum of eight weeks, but less than 15 weeks.
§ 1070a, of at least 150 Enr CS for SB 490 clock hours of instruction, but less than 600 clock hours of instruction, or an equivalent number of credit hours during a minimum of eight weeks, but less than 15 weeks.
(4) Prepares students to pursue one or more related certificate or degree programs at one or more institutions of higher education (which may include the eligible institution providing the program), including by ensuring that a student, upon completion of the program and enrollment CS for SB 490 in such a related certificate or degree program, will receive academic credit for the Workforce Pell Grant program that will be accepted toward meeting such certificate or degree program requirements;
(4) Prepares students to pursue one or more related certificate or degree programs at one or more institutions of higher education (which may include the eligible institution providing the program), including by ensuring that a student, upon completion of the program and enrollment Enr CS for SB 490 in such a related certificate or degree program, will receive academic credit for the Workforce Pell Grant program that will be accepted toward meeting such certificate or degree program requirements;
and (4) Review, on an annual basis, each short-term workforce training program approved for eligibility for the Workforce Pell Grant program to determine whether the program continues to CS for SB 490 align with current labor market needs and to satisfy the criteria set forth in §5B-12-2 of this code necessary for continued eligibility.
and (4) Review, on an annual basis, each short-term workforce training program approved for eligibility for the Workforce Pell Grant program to determine whether the program continues to Enr CS for SB 490 align with current labor market needs and to satisfy the criteria set forth in §5B-12-2 of this code necessary for continued eligibility.
Enr CS for SB 490 The Clerk of the Senate and the Clerk of the House of Delegates hereby certify that the foregoing bill is correctly enrolled.
...............................................................
Clerk of the Senate ...............................................................
Clerk of the House of Delegates Originated in the Senate.
To take effect July 1, 2026.
...............................................................
President of the Senate ...............................................................
Speaker of the House of Delegates __________ The within is ................................................
this the...........................................
Day of ..........................................................................................................., 2026.
.............................................................
Governor 9
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Action History

  1. Filed for introduction

  2. To Workforce

  3. Introduced in Senate

  4. To Workforce

  5. Committee substitute reported

  6. On 1st reading

  7. Read 1st time

  8. On 2nd reading

  9. Read 2nd time

  10. On 3rd reading

  11. Read 3rd time

  12. Passed Senate (Roll No. 49)

  13. Effective July 1, 2026 (Roll No. 50)

  14. Ordered to House

  15. House received Senate message

  16. Introduced in House

  17. To Government Organization

  18. To House Government Organization

  19. Do pass

  20. Immediate consideration

  21. Read 1st time

  22. On 2nd reading, Special Calendar

  23. Read 2nd time

  24. On 3rd reading, Special Calendar

  25. Read 3rd time

  26. Passed House (Roll No. 422)

  27. Effective July 1, 2026 (Roll No. 423)

  28. Communicated to Senate

  29. Completed legislative action

  30. House Message received

  31. To Governor 3/18/2026

  32. To Governor 3/18/2026 - Senate Journal

  33. Approved by Governor 4/1/2026

  34. Approved by Governor 4/1/2026 - Senate Journal

  35. Approved by Governor 4/1/2026 - House Journal

  36. Chapter 294, Acts, Regular Session, 2026

Sponsors

  • Rucker · Primary
  • Roberts · Cosponsor
  • Rose · Cosponsor
  • T. Kevan Bartlett · Cosponsor

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 3 co-sponsors · 148 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

  • Rucker

Co-sponsors (3)

Not signed on (148)

148 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 148 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

Subjects

labor education
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Frequently asked questions

What does SB 490 do?
Approving short-term training programs for eligibility for federal Workforce Pell Grants
Who sponsors SB 490?
SB 490 is sponsored by Rucker, Roberts, Rose, and T. Kevan Bartlett (Republican).
What is the current status of SB 490?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 19, 2026. Enacted.
Where can I track SB 490?
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