The bill reorganizes the executive branch of West Virginia's government by reconstituting the Department of Economic Development as the Division of Economic Development within the Department of Commerce, effective July 1, 2025. It establishes an exempt service system for new hires and employees changing positions within the Division, exempting them from state grievance procedures. The Secretary of the Department of Commerce is granted the authority to designate certain employees' status within the civil service system to comply with federal laws or funding requirements. Existing employee protections will remain in place, and the bill also corrects titles and references throughout the code to reflect this reorganization.

Additionally, the bill creates several initiatives aimed at enhancing economic development, including the Economic Development Promotion and Closing Fund, the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Investment Fund, and the Certified Sites and Development Readiness Program. It establishes a framework for brownfield economic development districts, mandates collaboration with local officials, and outlines the creation of the West Virginia Uncrewed Aircraft Systems Advisory Council. The bill also establishes the National Coal Heritage Area Commission to promote tourism and preservation in the coal heritage area and creates the Broadband Development Fund to support broadband projects. All provisions are set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

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
Committee Substitute: 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, 5F-1-2, 5F-2-1, 29-1-8d, 31G-1A-1, 31G-1A-5, 31G-1A-6, 31G-1A-7, 5F-1-3a, 5F-1-6
Engrossed Committee Substitute: 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-2-14, 5B-2-16, 5B-2-17, 5B-2-18, 5B-2-19, 5B-2-20, 5F-1-2, 5F-2-1, 20-1-14, 29-1-8d, 31G-1A-1, 31G-1A-5, 31G-1A-6, 31G-1A-7, 15A-14-1, 5F-1-3a, 5F-1-6
Enrolled Committee Substitute: 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, 5F-1-2, 5F-2-1, 31G-1A-1, 31G-1A-5, 31G-1A-6, 31G-1A-7, 5F-1-3a, 5F-1-6