This bill proposes the addition of a new section, 7-7-4b, to the Code of West Virginia, which establishes an annual additional compensation of $15,000 for county clerks. This compensation is intended to recognize the expanded responsibilities that county clerks have taken on in election administration, particularly since 2002. The bill outlines specific duties that clerks must perform to qualify for this additional compensation, including the administration of municipal elections, compliance with state and federal voter registration requirements, adherence to cybersecurity protocols, and fulfillment of federal and state election grant reporting obligations.

The bill also stipulates that the additional compensation will be paid in equal installments alongside regular compensation and requires the Secretary of State to confirm that county clerks have met performance benchmarks before the additional compensation is disbursed. Furthermore, it clarifies that the county commission retains the authority to provide further additional compensation under other provisions of the code. Overall, the bill aims to ensure that county clerks are adequately compensated for their increased workload and responsibilities in managing elections.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 7-7-4b