HB 2008: Executive Branch Reorganization - West Virginia

hb2008 sfa morris _1 4-7 adopted.htm → hb2008 sfat rucker _1 4-3 adopted.htm · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended from a version sponsored by Senator Morris to a version sponsored by Senator Rucker, with the primary change being a complete rewrite of the bill's title to better reflect its substantive provisions. The new title clarifies that the bill reorganizes the executive branch by merging and reorganizing departments, specifically redesignating the Department of Economic Development as the Division of Economic Development under the Department of Commerce. It also establishes that starting July 1, 2025, new hires and internal transfers within these departments will be in classified exempt service and exempt from state grievance procedures.

Scope change

The bill's scope was clarified and expanded in the title to explicitly include reorganization of the executive branch, redesignation of departments, changes to employment classification systems, and technical corrections across multiple code sections.

TITLE

The bill title was completely rewritten to accurately describe the substantive changes including executive branch reorganization, department redesignation, employment classification changes, and technical corrections.

TIMELINE

Added a specific effective date of July 1, 2025 for changes to employment classification systems within the Department of Commerce and Division of Economic Development.

REQUIREMENT

Added requirements that new hires and internal transfers within the Department of Commerce and Division of Economic Development must be in classified exempt service and exempt from state grievance procedures starting July 1, 2025.

TECHNICAL

Removed specific amendment instructions related to the Broadband Enhancement Council that were present in the previous version but not reflected in the new bill title.

hb2008 hfat phillips 4-9 adopted.htm → hb2008 sfa morris _1 4-7 adopted.htm · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill title and amendment process were updated to reflect a new sponsor (Senator Morris) and a revised amendment that adds the Broadband Enhancement Council to a list of entities exempt from state grievance procedures. The original amendment by Delegate Phillips was replaced with a more specific amendment targeting a particular section of the bill.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to include the Broadband Enhancement Council in the list of entities whose employees are exempt from state grievance procedures, alongside the Department of Commerce and Division of Economic Development.

TECHNICAL

The original amendment text by Delegate Phillips proposing a comprehensive restructuring of the executive branch was removed.

The bill title and sponsor information were updated from Delegate Phillips to Senator Morris with a revised amendment text.

SCOPE

A new paragraph (D) was added to the amendment to include the Broadband Enhancement Council in the list of entities whose employees are exempt from state grievance procedures.

hb2008 hfat phillips 3-11 adopted.htm → hb2008 hfat phillips 4-9 adopted.htm · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill title was revised from a House Committee substitute version to an Engineering Committee substitute version. The Engineering version removes detailed descriptions of specific departmental transfers and law enforcement reassignments that were present in the earlier version, while adding new provisions about employee status designations to comply with federal law and technical cleanup of affected departments.

Scope change

The bill's scope was narrowed by removing specific details about transferring Division of Natural Resources law enforcement to the Department of Homeland Security and clarifying retirement system transfers, while adding broader provisions for employee status designations.

ENFORCEMENT

Removed specific language transferring Division of Natural Resources law enforcement duties to the Department of Homeland Security and clarifying retirement system transfers.

REQUIREMENT

Added provision allowing Secretary of Department of Commerce to designate certain employees' civil service status to comply with federal law or receive federal funds.

TECHNICAL

Changed formatting from 'Comm. Sub.' to 'Eng. Comm. Sub.' and removed multiple blank lines between title sections.

DEFINITION

Removed specific mention of redesignating Department of Economic Development as Division of Economic Development under Department of Commerce in the title description.

hb2008 s gov am _1 3-30 adopted.htm → hb2008 hfat phillips 3-11 adopted.htm · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to correct department and division titles throughout the code, clarify that the Division of Economic Development operates under the Department of Commerce, and establish that all new hires and internal transfers within the Department of Commerce will be classified-exempt employees starting July 1, 2025. The changes also transfer Natural Resource Police to the Department of Homeland Security and update various agency names to reflect the new organizational structure.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to include technical corrections of agency titles and a reorganization that moves the Division of Economic Development under the Department of Commerce, while transferring law enforcement duties from Natural Resources to Homeland Security.

TIMELINE

Established July 1, 2025 as the effective date when all new hires and internal transfers within the Department of Commerce will be classified-exempt employees exempt from state grievance procedures.

DEFINITION

Corrected department and division titles throughout the code, changing references from 'Department of Economic Development' to 'Division of Economic Development' under the Department of Commerce.

ENFORCEMENT

Transferred Natural Resource Police Officers and Special Natural Resource Police Officers from the Division of Natural Resources to the Department of Homeland Security for law enforcement activities.

SCOPE

Clarified that the Division of Economic Development is a division of the Department of Commerce rather than a separate independent agency.

TECHNICAL

Corrected various section titles and agency names throughout the code to align with the new organizational structure, including updates to the Office of Broadband and Tourism sections.

Committee Substitute → hb2008 s gov am _1 3-30 adopted.htm · 8 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to reorganize West Virginia's executive branch by renaming the Department of Economic Development to the Division of Economic Development and placing it under the Department of Commerce. Key changes include updating employee classification rules to exempt Commerce employees from grievance procedures starting July 1, 2025, creating new economic development funds and programs, establishing a West Virginia Motorsport Committee, and transferring various state agencies to different departments. Some sections were also repealed or modified to reflect the new organizational structure.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from primarily reorganizing economic development agencies to include broader executive branch reorganization, creating new committees and funds, and transferring multiple state agencies across different departments.

SCOPE

Renamed Department of Economic Development to Division of Economic Development and placed it under the Department of Commerce

Transferred multiple agencies including Public Employees Insurance Agency and Division of Personnel to the Department of Administration

Renamed National Coal Heritage Area Authority to National Coal Heritage Area Commission under Department of Arts, Culture, and History

TIMELINE

Set July 1, 2025 as the effective date for new Commerce employees to be classified as exempt from state grievance procedures

FISCAL

Created the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Investment Fund and Certified Sites and Development Readiness Fund

REQUIREMENT

Established the West Virginia Motorsport Committee with 17 members representing various racing disciplines

TECHNICAL

Repealed sections related to executive compensation commission and House Bill 4006 amendments effective date

DEFINITION

Created the West Virginia Uncrewed Aircraft Systems Advisory Council with nine members

Enrolled Committee Substitute → Committee Substitute · 8 edits

MODERATE

This bill reorganizes West Virginia's executive branch by moving the Department of Economic Development into the Department of Commerce as a division, effective July 1, 2025. It creates new economic development funds, establishes a motorsports committee, and updates employee classification rules for Commerce employees. The bill also repeals several outdated provisions and creates new advisory councils for broadband and uncrewed aircraft systems.

Scope change

The bill significantly restructures the executive branch by consolidating economic development functions under the Department of Commerce and creating new independent agencies for tourism and veterans' assistance.

STRUCTURE

Department of Economic Development is redesignated as a division within the Department of Commerce, effective July 1, 2025

FISCAL

Created new funds including Entrepreneurship and Innovation Investment Fund, Certified Sites and Development Readiness Fund, and Broadband Development Fund

REQUIREMENT

Established West Virginia Motorsport Committee with 17 members representing various racing disciplines

Established Small Business Supplier Certification Assistance Pilot Program in collaboration with Marshall University

DEFINITION

Created West Virginia Uncrewed Aircraft Systems Advisory Council to promote drone industry development

ELIGIBILITY

Employees of Department of Commerce and Division of Economic Development transition to classified-exempt service system with exemptions from state grievance procedures

TECHNICAL

Repealed House Bill 4006 amendments effective date section and executive compensation commission section

TIMELINE

Set July 1, 2025 as effective date for employee classification changes and organizational restructuring

Engrossed Committee Substitute → Enrolled Committee Substitute · 8 edits · Apr 25, 2025

MODERATE

This bill reorganizes West Virginia's executive branch by transferring the Department of Economic Development into the new Department of Commerce, creating a classified-exempt service system for new employees starting July 1, 2025, and establishing several new programs including an entrepreneurship investment fund, a small business supplier certification pilot program, and a motorsports committee. The changes consolidate economic development functions under one department while maintaining certain employee protections for existing staff.

Scope change

The bill expands the Department of Commerce's scope by incorporating the former Department of Economic Development as a division, and creates new advisory councils and programs for broadband development, uncrewed aircraft systems, and motorsports promotion.

SCOPE

Created Department of Commerce as a new executive department that includes the former Department of Economic Development as a division

ELIGIBILITY

New employees and those moving positions within Department of Commerce starting July 1, 2025, are placed in classified-exempt service system and exempt from state grievance procedures

FISCAL

Established Entrepreneurship and Innovation Investment Fund and Certified Sites and Development Readiness Fund with matching grant programs

REQUIREMENT

Created West Virginia Motorsport Committee with 17 members representing various racing disciplines to promote economic growth related to motorsports

Created Small Business Supplier Certification Assistance Pilot Program in collaboration with Marshall University to develop standardized certification processes

DEFINITION

Established West Virginia Uncrewed Aircraft Systems Advisory Council to develop strategies for drone industry development

TECHNICAL

Transferred Natural Resource Police Officers to Department of Homeland Security and clarified retirement system transfer responsibilities

TIMELINE

Set July 1, 2025 as effective date for new employee classification changes and departmental reorganization

Introduced Version → Engrossed Committee Substitute · 8 edits · Apr 11, 2025

MODERATE

HB 2008 reorganizes West Virginia's executive branch by transferring the Division of Economic Development from the Department of Tourism to the Department of Commerce, creating a new Department of Homeland Security, and transferring Natural Resources Police to Homeland Security. The bill also establishes new economic development funds, creates a Motorsport Committee, and modifies employee classification systems for Commerce and Economic Development staff.

Scope change

The bill significantly restructures the executive branch by consolidating economic development functions under Commerce and creating a new Homeland Security department, while transferring law enforcement duties from Natural Resources to Homeland Security.

SCOPE

Division of Economic Development is transferred from Department of Tourism to Department of Commerce, becoming a division within Commerce rather than an independent department.

ENFORCEMENT

Natural Resources Police are transferred to the new Department of Homeland Security, with retirement system duties also transferring to Homeland Security.

FISCAL

New funds created including Entrepreneurship and Innovation Investment Fund, Broadband Development Fund, and Certified Sites and Development Readiness Fund.

REQUIREMENT

New West Virginia Motorsport Committee created with 17 members representing various racing disciplines to promote motorsports-related economic growth.

National Coal Heritage Area Authority renamed and reorganized as National Coal Heritage Area Commission within Department of Arts, Culture, and History.

ELIGIBILITY

Employees in Department of Commerce and Division of Economic Development will be in classified-exempt service system starting July 1, 2025, exempt from state grievance procedures.

DEFINITION

New West Virginia Uncrewed Aircraft Systems Advisory Council created within Division of Economic Development to promote drone industry development.

TIMELINE

Natural Resources Police transfer effective July 1, 2026, with Commerce and Economic Development employee classification changes effective July 1, 2025.

Executive Branch Reorganization

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