This bill proposes an amendment to the Code of West Virginia, specifically targeting the compensation of sheriffs. It introduces a new provision that stipulates that, effective after July 1, 2025, any serving sheriff with prior law enforcement experience in West Virginia or its political subdivisions will receive an additional $1,000 in salary for each year of such experience. This change aims to recognize and reward the experience of sheriffs, thereby potentially enhancing the quality of law enforcement leadership in the state.

In addition to the new salary provision for sheriffs, the bill reaffirms existing salary structures for county commissioners and other elected officials, which have been previously established and are set to increase on specified dates. The bill maintains the requirement for the county auditor to certify the fiscal condition of the county before any salary increases can be implemented, ensuring that the financial health of the county supports these changes. Overall, the bill seeks to enhance the compensation framework for sheriffs while ensuring fiscal responsibility.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 7-7-4