CHARLESTON, WV (LOOTPRESS) — Legislation introduced by House Minority Leader Sean Hornbuckle would significantly restructure West Virginia’s Hope Scholarship program by imposing income-based eligibility limits and shifting greater control to county boards of education.
House Bill 4189, introduced during the 2026 Regular Session, lists Hornbuckle as its sole sponsor. The bill proposes reducing or eliminating Hope Scholarship awards based on household income and expands the authority of local school systems over program administration and reimbursement
Income-Based Eligibility Would Reduce Awards for Many Families
Under the bill, Hope Scholarship awards would no longer be uniform. Instead, awards would be scaled according to family income, measured as a percentage of the federal poverty level.
Families earning above 450% of the federal poverty level would see reduced awards, with scholarship amounts declining incrementally down to 10% of the full award for families at 750% of the poverty level. Families earning above that threshold would be ineligible to participate in the program entirely
Opponents of the proposal argue that these income caps fundamentally change the nature of the Hope Scholarship, which was enacted as an education choice program rather than an income-based assistance program.
They also note that families who participate in Hope continue to pay local property taxes that fund county school systems, even though their children no longer attend traditional public schools. Critics argue the bill would allow school districts to retain those tax revenues while limiting or reclaiming education funding intended to follow the student.
Expanded Role for County Boards of Education
House Bill 4189 would also expand the role of county boards of education and county superintendents in overseeing Hope Scholarship participation.
The bill authorizes counties to charge tuition and fees for services provided to Hope Scholarship students, including part-time enrollment, extracurricular activities, and individual classes. Those costs would be deducted directly from a student’s Hope Scholarship award, with counties reimbursed on a prorated basis
County officials would also assume expanded responsibilities related to compliance verification, reporting requirements, and academic documentation.
Education choice advocates have raised concerns that many county boards of education have historically opposed the Hope Scholarship program and the expansion of charter schools, creating potential conflicts if those same boards are granted greater control over a program that diverts students — and funding — away from traditional public schools.
Shift Away From Treasurer-Led Oversight
Since its creation, the Hope Scholarship has been administered under a board overseen by the State Treasurer’s Office. Supporters of the program credit that structure with providing consistent statewide administration and limiting local political interference.
Former Treasurer Riley Moore, now a member of Congress, played a central role in launching and expanding the program, which has drawn national attention as one of the most comprehensive education savings account models in the country.
Current Treasurer Larry Pack has continued that approach, emphasizing parental control, standardized administration, and broad access across county lines.
Critics of House Bill 4189 argue that shifting authority toward local school systems risks fragmenting the program and undermining its original intent by placing oversight in the hands of entities that have publicly criticized education choice initiatives.
Longstanding Opposition to Education Choice
Hornbuckle, the Democratic Minority Leader in the House of Delegates, has been an outspoken critic of education choice policies, including the Hope Scholarship and public charter schools. He has repeatedly raised concerns about the financial impact of such programs on traditional public school systems.
House Bill 4189 reflects that broader policy divide, with supporters describing it as a fiscal protection measure and opponents viewing it as a structural rollback of school choice in West Virginia.
The bill has been referred to the House Committee on Education, with a subsequent referral to the House Committee on Finance.
