Senate creates Office of Entrepreneurship, directs $175,000 to seed fund

The West Virginia Senate on Feb. 23, 2026 approved Senate Bill 878 to establish an Office of Entrepreneurship inside the Secretary of State’s office and to create a West Virginia Office of Entrepreneurship Fund backed by an initial directive of $175,000 from the budget the Senate passed.

Senator from Harrison (speaker 4), who introduced the measure, said the office’s purpose is to "help businesses or individuals navigate state agencies with requirements that govern starting, conducting, or growing a business in West Virginia." The sponsor said agencies would be directed to provide information, data and reports to the new office to support business development and that the office could charge reasonable fees for events and services as an additional funding source.

The sponsor also noted a current disclosure status for some materials: "This information currently is not subject, to public disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act," a claim made on the floor; interested parties should consult the bill text and legal counsel on any FOIA or disclosure questions.

Supporters framed the bill as an effort to connect entrepreneurs with state resources and capital. The junior senator from fifteenth and the senator from Fayette praised the bill for promoting collaboration between government and businesses and urged passage.

Senator from Lewis moved to make the bill effective July 1, 2026; the motion passed and the Senate recorded a supermajority to set that effective date. The Clerk will communicate action to the House.

What happens next: The bill’s statutory language and any FOIA or data‑sharing provisions will determine what agency materials the office can access and whether those materials are subject to public records laws; the House must receive the Senate’s communication and proceed per legislative rules.