West Virginia House Bill 5223 and Senate Bill 571 didn t survive the end of the 2024 state legislative session Saturday. HB 5223 would have created a southern coalfield economic revitalization council, while SB 571 would have set up a Corridor H area-focused energy and economic development authority.
On Feb. 19, 2024, the West Virginia House of Delegates passed a bill, House Bill 5223, that would create a council aimed at revitalizing the state s southern coalfield counties. The bill would establish a council consisting of governor’s cabinet members, southern coalfield county officials and higher education representatives.
The West Virginia House of Delegates Energy and Manufacturing Committee approved House Bill 5223, which would create a council to provide economic development assistance to southern coalfield counties. The bill s approval comes amid the dormancy of another body that was created for a similar purpose in 2022, the Coalfield Community Grant Facilitation Commission.