This bill proposes to amend and reenact several sections of the West Virginia Code to rename the existing act as the "Military Incentive Program" and to expand its benefits to all veterans. The bill updates definitions related to eligible participants, specifically introducing the term "eligible veteran" to encompass all veterans who have served on active duty for more than 180 days or were discharged due to a service-connected disability. Additionally, it designates WorkForce West Virginia as the sole agency responsible for administering the program, replacing the previous Bureau of Employment Programs.

The bill also modifies the tax credit structure for employers who hire eligible veterans, members of the West Virginia National Guard, or reserve forces. The tax credit will now be uniformly set at 30% of the employee's wage base, which is defined as the first $5,000 in wages paid to the employee. Furthermore, the bill outlines restrictions on claiming tax credits, ensuring that employers cannot receive credits for individuals employed for less than a year unless specific conditions are met. Overall, the legislation aims to enhance employment opportunities for veterans while streamlining the administration of the program.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 21A-2C-1, 21A-2C-2, 21A-2C-3, 21A-2C-4, 21A-2C-5, 21A-2C-6