The proposed bill aims to enhance the salaries of State Police troopers in West Virginia by introducing a new section, 15-2-5a, which establishes a market pay enhancement based on regional cost of living disparities. The legislation outlines the need for competitive compensation to attract and retain certified State Police troopers, ensuring that their salaries align with the median home prices in their respective regions. The bill mandates that the West Virginia State Police calculate the regional median home price every five years and use this data to determine a market pay multiplier, which will then be applied to the average base salary of State Police troopers in each county.

Additionally, the bill stipulates that any market pay enhancements will be distributed as a lump sum to eligible troopers and will be subject to personal income tax. It clarifies that these enhancements are in addition to the existing minimum salary schedule and are not subject to the state grievance process. The State Police are also required to report on the market pay enhancements to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance and are authorized to propose rules for implementing this section. Overall, the bill seeks to ensure that State Police troopers are fairly compensated in relation to the cost of living in their areas, thereby improving law enforcement services across West Virginia.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 15-2-5a