SB 76 Increasing WV Natural Resources Police Officer Retirement System

Dear Members and Supporters of the West Virginia Police Benevolent Association,

I am writing to urge your support for Senate Bill 76, which seeks to enhance the retirement benefits for West Virginia Natural Resources Police Officers (NRPOs) by increasing their accrued retirement benefit. This legislation is essential to ensuring that those who serve and protect our natural resources are adequately compensated for their years of dedicated service.

Natural Resources Police Officers have full law enforcement authority and face unique and often dangerous challenges in their line of duty. They work alone in remote areas, in all weather conditions, and are frequently the first and only responders in life-threatening situations. Their role is just as critical as that of deputies and state police, and they deserve retirement benefits that reflect the risks and sacrifices inherent in their job.

I encourage all members and supporters of the West Virginia Police Benevolent Association to advocate for the passage of SB 76. Your voices and collective support are instrumental in ensuring that our state prioritizes the well-being and security of its law enforcement officers. Please contact your legislators and urge them to vote in favor of this much-needed reform.

To take action now, please enter the information to support this legislative campaign.

Thank you for your time, dedication, and support in strengthening the future of West Virginia’s Natural Resources Police Officers.

Sincerely,

Sean McGowan - West Virginia / SSPBA Executive Director

Rich Goszka - West Virginia PBA Field Representative

WV2025SB 76

Increasing WV Natural Resources Police Officer Retirement System accrued benefit for certain members

Last Action

To House Finance

House • Mar 24, 2025

Latest Version

Committee Substitute

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Your Message to the legislators

Dear (name and title inserted automatically),

As a supporter of the West Virginia Police Benevolent Association, I am writing to express my strong support for Senate Bill 76 (SB 76), which seeks to amend the West Virginia Natural Resources Police Officer Retirement System to enhance the retirement security of those who serve as Natural Resources Police Officers (NRPOs). We urge you to support and advocate for the passage of this critical legislation.

Natural Resources Police Officers play a vital role in maintaining public safety and protecting our state's natural resources. They have full law enforcement authority and regularly operate under challenging and hazardous conditions. These officers patrol remote areas, often alone and in extreme weather conditions, ensuring compliance with conservation laws and responding to emergencies. Their duties expose them to significant risks similar to those faced by deputies and state police officers. Therefore, it is crucial that their retirement benefits remain competitive to attract and retain the skilled professionals needed to uphold our state's laws and safeguard West Virginia’s natural heritage.

SB 76 proposes increasing the accrued retirement benefit for members retiring on or after January 1, 2028, from the current two and one-half percent of the member's final average salary multiplied by their years of credited service to two and three-fourths percent. This adjustment acknowledges the risks and sacrifices of NRPOs while aligning their retirement benefits more closely with those of other law enforcement officers in the state.

The bill also mandates an additional annual contribution of $850,000 from the division to the retirement fund from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2030, ensuring financial stability for these enhanced benefits. Furthermore, it introduces a requirement for active members with concurrent employment in another retirement system to contribute nine and one-half percent of their additional salary to the NRPO retirement fund. Importantly, the legislation grants the retirement board the authority to adjust the required contributions if it determines that the benefits can be sustained with a lower amount, demonstrating a commitment to fiscal responsibility.

West Virginia must remain competitive in the law enforcement job market. Without fair and competitive retirement benefits, the state risks losing valuable officers to other agencies offering better compensation and retirement packages. Retention and recruitment will become increasingly difficult, ultimately compromising public safety and conservation efforts.

For these reasons, I respectfully request your support for SB 76 to ensure that West Virginia’s Natural Resources Police Officers receive the retirement benefits they deserve. Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to your leadership on this important issue.