This bill proposes extensive amendments to the West Virginia Code, primarily reorganizing the executive branch, particularly the Department of Commerce and its divisions. A significant change includes the redesignation of the Department of Economic Development as the Division of Economic Development, effective July 1, 2025. The bill also abolishes the Department of Arts, Culture, and History, transferring its responsibilities to the newly elevated Department of Tourism, which will also see its employees exempt from state grievance procedures and the classified civil service system. Additionally, the bill establishes the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Investment Fund, the Small Business Supplier Certification Assistance Pilot Program, and the Certified Sites and Development Readiness Program, all aimed at enhancing economic development and supporting small businesses.

Moreover, the bill outlines the roles and responsibilities of the Department of Tourism, emphasizing its focus on tourism marketing and infrastructure development. It mandates collaboration with the Department of Economic Development and allows the department to acquire property and produce media content to promote tourism. The bill also introduces the National Coal Heritage Area Commission under the Department of Tourism, tasked with overseeing historic preservation and tourism projects related to West Virginia's coal history. Overall, the bill aims to streamline operations within state agencies, enhance economic development initiatives, and improve the efficiency of government functions while ensuring that certain employees retain their classified status.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 5B-1-1, 5B-1-2, 5B-2-1, 5B-2-2, 5B-2-3, 5B-2-3b, 5B-2-4, 5B-2-4a, 5B-2-5, 5B-2-6, 5B-2-6a, 5B-2-9a, 5B-2-10, 5B-2-14, 5B-2-16, 5B-2-17, 5B-2-18, 5B-2-19, 5B-2-20, 5B-2I-2, 5B-2I-4, 5F-1-2, 5F-1-3a, 5F-1-6, 5F-2-1, 5F-3-2, 10-5-2, 15-1A-1, 15A-1-3, 15A-1-9, 29-1-1, 29-1-1a, 29-1-2, 29-1-3, 29-1-4, 29-1-6, 29-1-7, 29-1-8, 29-1-8c, 29-1-8d, 29-1-9, 29-1-10, 29-1-11, 29-1-12, 29-1-13, 29-1-14, 29-1-15, 31G-1A-1, 31G-1A-5, 31G-1A-6, 31G-1A-7, 12-1A-9