The bill proposes significant changes to the West Virginia Code by abolishing the Department of Arts, Culture, and History and transferring its functions to the Department of Tourism, effective July 1, 2025. The Secretary of the Department of Tourism will oversee various sections and commissions, including the Arts Section and the Archives and History Section. New provisions will classify new hires and employees transitioning within the Department of Tourism as exempt from state grievance procedures, while also granting the Secretary the authority to appoint directors and manage operations related to the newly formed sections. The bill also ensures that existing employees retain their classified civil service status, while future transitions will place them in a classified-exempt service system.

Additionally, the bill outlines the responsibilities of the Department of Tourism regarding the management of historical and cultural resources, including the establishment of the State Library Section and the Historic Preservation Section. It mandates the appointment of qualified directors for these sections and emphasizes the importance of ethical practices in employment. The bill also includes provisions for the State Library Commission, which will advise on library services and ensure confidentiality regarding user records. Overall, the legislation aims to enhance tourism, library services, and historic preservation efforts in West Virginia while streamlining the management of cultural resources under the Department of Tourism.

Statutes affected:
Originating in Committee: 5B-2I-2, 5B-2I-4, 5F-2-1, 10-5-2, 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, 29-1-11, 29-1-12, 29-1-13, 29-1-14, 29-1-15, 5F-1-3a, 5F-1-6, 29-1-10
Introduced Version: 5B-2I-2, 5B-2I-4, 5F-2-1, 10-5-2, 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, 29-1-11, 29-1-12, 29-1-13, 29-1-14, 29-1-15, 5F-1-3a, 5F-1-6, 29-1-10
Engrossed Version: 5B-2I-2, 5B-2I-4, 5F-2-1, 10-5-2, 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, 29-1-11, 29-1-12, 29-1-13, 29-1-14, 29-1-15, 5F-1-3a, 5F-1-6, 29-1-10
Enrolled Version: 5B-2I-2, 5B-2I-4, 10-5-2, 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, 29-1-9, 29-1-11, 29-1-12, 29-1-13, 29-1-14, 29-1-15, 5F-1-3a, 5F-1-6, 29-1-10