The bill reorganizes the executive branch of West Virginia 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 previously under the abolished department, including the Arts Section and Museums Section. New provisions exempt employees within the Department of Tourism from state grievance procedures and classify them as exempt from the civil service system, while ensuring that current classified employees retain their status. The bill also mandates the Department of Tourism to submit an annual report on the tourism industry's development and funding needs.

Additionally, the bill outlines the responsibilities of the State Library Section and the Historic Preservation Section under the Department of Tourism, including the appointment of qualified directors and the establishment of necessary organizational structures. The Historic Preservation Section will develop rules for state-funded project permits and maintain a State Register of Historic Places, while the State Library Section will manage library assistance and funding. The legislation aims to streamline the management of cultural and historical resources in West Virginia, enhance library services, and ensure compliance with federal and state regulations regarding historical preservation and library operations.

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