This bill aims to amend the Code of West Virginia by introducing a new section that mandates the implementation of a "Locality Pay" adjustment for state employees, the State Police, and county boards of education, effective July 1, 2027. The legislation recognizes that salaries for state employees in certain areas of West Virginia are becoming uncompetitive compared to neighboring states and the private sector, which hampers recruitment and retention efforts. The Locality Pay adjustments will be based on designations from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) of the United States federal government, with specific criteria for qualifying counties and annual adjustments tied to the OPM's "Locality Pay Table."

Additionally, the bill stipulates that no private cause of action or right to grievance will arise from the enactment or operation of this Locality Pay policy. This provision is included to clarify that employees cannot seek legal recourse related to the implementation of these pay adjustments. Overall, the bill seeks to enhance the compensation framework for state employees while ensuring that the adjustments do not apply to elected or appointed officials.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 5-5-7, 15-2-5a, 18A-4-5c