The bill reorganizes the executive branch of West Virginia 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. The bill also repeals certain sections of the code and makes technical corrections to titles and references, while outlining the powers and duties of the Executive Director of the Division, including the development of a comprehensive economic strategy and the establishment of the Economic Development Promotion and Closing Fund.

Additionally, the bill introduces several initiatives to enhance economic development, such as the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Investment Fund, the Small Business Supplier Certification Assistance Pilot Program, and the Certified Sites and Development Readiness Program. It establishes a framework for managing brownfield economic development districts, requiring applicants to demonstrate potential for significant economic development and comply with local laws. The bill also creates the West Virginia Uncrewed Aircraft Systems Advisory Council and the National Coal Heritage Area Commission to promote tourism and economic development in designated areas. Furthermore, it establishes a Broadband Development Fund to support broadband initiatives while ensuring the confidentiality of proprietary business information. 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