Statutory Commitments in Rural Health Transformation Program, the official text

WEST VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE

         2026 REGULAR SESSION

                   ENROLLED

            Committee Substitute
                         for

           House Bill 4740

            BY DELEGATES HANSHAW (MR. SPEAKER) AND
                                HORNBUCKLE

                    (BY REQUEST OF THE EXECUTIVE)
       [Passed February 19, 2026; in effect from passage]
    Enr CS for HB 4740

1 AN ACT to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section,

2   designated §5A-3-3d, relating to exempting the Department of Health from purchasing

3   restrictions for implementation of the Rural Health Transformation Program; providing

4   legislative findings; and providing exceptions.

    Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:

    ARTICLE 3. PURCHASING DIVISION.

    §5A-3-3d. Exemption of Rural Health Transformation Program.

1   (a) The Legislature hereby finds and declares:

2   (1) That the federal Rural Health Transformation Program presents an unprecedented

3 opportunity for the State to make critical improvements to health care in rural areas, modernize

4 various aspects of health care delivery systems, enhance educational and work force pathways

5 for health care, and expand the technological boundaries of health care science, analytics, and

6 technology for the benefit of all West Virginians;

7   (2) That the federal Rural Health Transformation Program places many significant

8 compliance requirements on the use of federal funds granted to the Department of Health, that

9 use of funds received from the federal Rural Health Transformation Program must be used in

10 accordance with the requirements and limitations of that program reflected in guidance and

11 documentation from U.S. Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services ("CMS");

12  (3) That CMS will be closely monitoring the progress of the State’s implementation of the

13 program outlined in its application for funding submitted to CMS on November 5, 2025, and

14 granted an award on or about December 29, 2025;

15  (4) That the federal Rural Health Transformation Program requires rapid, targeted

16 deployment of the awarded funds; and

17  (5) That such utilization be performed within rigid time frames, with the understanding that

18 failures to comply with the limitations on how these funds may be used—as well as requirements

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    Enr CS for HB 4740

19 on proper processes for the deployment—may result in clawbacks of funds both currently

20 awarded as well as jeopardizing future awards by CMS.

21          (b) To ensure conformity with the unique requirements of the federal Rural Health

22 Transformation Program, notwithstanding any provisions of §5A-3-1 or § 5A-3-3 of this code to

23 the contrary, the provisions of this article shall not apply to the State’s implementation of the Rural

24 Health Transformation Program, for which the program office is located within the Department of

25 Health.

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Enr CS for HB 4740
              The Clerk of the House of Delegates and the Clerk of the Senate hereby

         certify that the foregoing bill is correctly enrolled.
         ...............................................................

              Clerk of the House of Delegates
                           ...............................................................
                                        Clerk of the Senate

         Originated in the House of Delegates.
         In effect from passage.

                                       ...............................................................
                                          Speaker of the House of Delegates
                                                           ...............................................................
                                                                     President of the Senate
                                                        __________

              The within is ................................................ this the...........................................
         Day of ..........................................................................................................., 2026.

                                                                   .............................................................
                                                                                         Governor

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