This bill aims to amend the Code of West Virginia by introducing new sections that mandate executive branch agencies, the State Police, and county boards of education to develop and report an area market rate salary adjustment policy. The legislation recognizes that certain areas of the state are experiencing higher economic growth and cost of living increases, leading to the loss of valuable public employees due to non-competitive salaries. The bill requires these entities to create a policy by July 1, 2026, which must include specific criteria for salary adjustments, provisions for merit-based increases, and stipulations regarding the applicability of the policy to various positions.

Additionally, the bill emphasizes that no private cause of action or right to grievance will arise from the implementation of the salary adjustment policy. The policy must be submitted to key legislative and executive offices by September 1, 2025, and is intended to be reviewed and updated annually. The new sections added to the law include provisions for the development of the salary adjustment policy by the State Police and county boards of education, ensuring a comprehensive approach to addressing salary competitiveness across different sectors of public employment in West Virginia.

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