WEST VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE
2024 REGULAR SESSION
Enrolled Senate Bill 600
By Senators Weld and Deeds [Passed February 26, 2024; in effect 90 days from passage]
 Enr SB 600
1 An ACT to amend and reenact §15-1B-25 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended,
2 relating generally to readiness enhancement and commission bonuses.
Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:
ARTICLE 1B. NATIONAL GUARD.
§15-1B-25. Readiness Enhancement and Commissioning Bonus.
1 (a) The Adjutant General may establish, within the limitations of this section, a program to
2 provide enlistment bonuses to eligible prospects who become members of the West Virginia
3 National Guard.
4 (1) Eligibility for the bonus is limited to a candidate who: (A) Joins the National Guard as an
5 enlisted member; (B) Serves satisfactorily during the period of, and completes, the person's initial
6 entry training, if applicable; and (C) Has expertise, qualifications, or potential for military service
7 deemed by the Adjutant General as sufficiently important to the readiness of the National Guard or
8 a unit of the National Guard. The Adjutant General may, within the limitations of this subsection
9 and other applicable laws, determine additional eligibility criteria for the bonus.
10 (2) The enlistment bonus payments are to be in an amount to generally encourage the
11 candidate's enlistment in the National Guard, subject to available appropriations, and on a
12 schedule that is determined and published in department regulations by the Adjutant General.
13 (3) If a member fails to complete a term of enlistment for which a bonus was paid, the
14 Adjutant General may seek to recoup a prorated amount of the bonus as determined by the
15 Adjutant General.
16 (b) The Adjutant General may establish a program to provide a reenlistment or
17 commissioning bonus to eligible members of the West Virginia National Guard who extend their
18 term of service in the National Guard within the limitations of this subsection. Eligibility for the
19 bonus is limited to a member of the National Guard who: (1) Is serving satisfactorily as determined
20 by the Adjutant General and (2) has military training and expertise deemed by the Adjutant
21 General as sufficiently important to the readiness of the National Guard or a unit of the National
1
 Enr SB 600
22 Guard, or has accepted a commission as an officer in the National Guard. The Adjutant General
23 may, within the limitations of this subsection and other applicable laws, determine additional
24 eligibility criteria for the bonus.
25 (1) The enlistment bonus payments are to be in an amount to generally encourage the
26 member's reenlistment or commissioning in the National Guard, subject to available
27 appropriations, and on a schedule that is determined and published in department regulations by
28 the Adjutant General.
29 (2) If a member fails to complete a term of reenlistment or an obligated term of
30 commissioned service for which a bonus was paid, the Adjutant General may seek to recoup a
31 prorated amount of the bonus as determined by the Adjutant General.
32 (c) Upon graduation from the officer candidate school conducted at the regional training
33 institute, Camp Dawson, each member of the West Virginia Army National Guard who accepts a
34 commission shall be entitled to a commissioning bonus of $2,000.
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Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 15-1B-25
Enrolled Version: 15-1B-25