The bill amends the Code of West Virginia by adding a new section, 5-5-4c, which mandates a 15 percent salary adjustment for certain administrative law judges employed by the Unemployment Compensation Board of Review. This adjustment applies to the positions of Chief Administrative Law Judge, Administrative Law Judge 1, and Administrative Law Judge 2, and is intended to ensure timely conduct of unemployment compensation hearings. The salary increase is separate from any other adjustments approved during the 2026 legislative session related to the fiscal year 2027 budget.

Additionally, the bill specifies that the implementation of this salary adjustment will not be subject to the provisions of 6C-2-1 et seq. of the code due to funding limitations. It explicitly states that no private cause of action shall arise from the provisions or implementation of this section. The provisions of this bill will take effect immediately upon passage.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 5-5-4c
Committee Substitute: 5-5-4c
Engrossed Committee Substitute: 5-5-4c
Enrolled Committee Substitute: 5-5-4c