This bill proposes amendments to the Code of West Virginia, specifically targeting the management of fire departments within counties. It grants administrative control of fire departments to the county commission when these departments are not already under the control of a municipal corporation. Additionally, the bill includes provisions for the county commission to be responsible for all fire departments within the county, as indicated by the new insertion in section 7-1-3 and 7-1-3d. The bill also aims to abolish the existing county fire boards, repealing multiple sections (7-17-1 through 7-17-20) that previously governed their structure and operations.

By consolidating fire department oversight under the county commission, the bill seeks to streamline fire service administration and eliminate the complexities associated with county fire boards. This change is intended to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of fire services within counties, ensuring that fire departments operate under a unified administrative framework. The repeal of the county fire boards signifies a significant shift in how fire services are managed at the county level, reflecting a move towards greater local governance and oversight by county commissions.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 7-1-3, 7-1-3d, 7-17-1, 7-17-2, 7-17-3, 7-17-4, 7-17-5, 7-17-6, 7-17-7, 7-17-8, 7-17-9, 7-17-10, 7-17-11, 7-17-12, 7-17-13, 7-17-14, 7-17-15, 7-17-16, 7-17-17, 7-17-18, 7-17-19, 7-17-20