Relating generally to DOH employees.

HB 2585 establishes a new merit-based personnel system for employees of the West Virginia Division of Highways (a unit within the Department of Transportation). The bill changes how these employees are classified and paid, setting wages for specific roles - like highway laborers, teamsters (truck drivers), and equipment operators - to match private industry rates for comparable jobs. It also mandates a $200 monthly wage increase annually for Highway employees based on years of service and specifies that employees terminated for failing drug or alcohol tests will not receive severance pay. This bill directly affects Division of Highways staff, including those in road maintenance, equipment operation, and support roles.