HB 4765: Teacher, School Personnel, and State Police Pay Raise - West Virginia

hb4765 sfa barrett _1 3-12 adopted.htm → hb4765 sfat barrett _1 3-12 adopted.htm · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill's title was updated to include 'AT' (likely indicating an amendment to the title), and the amendment text previously attached to the document was removed. This suggests the legislative body decided to drop the specific instructions for amending sections on state police and school personnel pay enhancements, leaving only the new, broader title describing the bill's intent.

Scope change

The specific scope of amendments regarding market pay enhancements for state police and school personnel was removed from the document, though the new title indicates the bill still intends to address these topics.

REQUIREMENT

Removed detailed instructions to amend specific sections of the code regarding the calculation and distribution of market pay enhancements for state police and school personnel.

TECHNICAL

Added 'AT' to the bill header, likely signifying a procedural change or amendment to the bill's title.

SCOPE

Replaced specific amendment instructions with a new, comprehensive title that outlines the bill's broad intent to increase salaries for state police and school employees.

hb4765 s fin am _1 3-10 adopted.htm → hb4765 sfa barrett _1 3-12 adopted.htm · 6 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to replace the original text with a new version that establishes a market pay enhancement system for both state police and school personnel. The changes introduce a calculation method based on comparing local county median incomes to statewide averages, setting a cap of 20% on the enhancement, and mandating a minimum 1% increase for counties that do not qualify for a higher amount. Additionally, the amendment clarifies that these enhancements are permanent and cannot be reduced unless an employee transfers to a different county.

Scope change

The scope expanded to explicitly include school service personnel alongside state police, and the mechanism for calculating pay increases shifted from a regional comparison to a direct comparison against statewide salary averages.

DEFINITION

Replaced the definition of 'market pay enhancement' with a new formula that uses the higher of two multipliers (regional or county-specific) compared to the statewide average salary.

REQUIREMENT

Added a mandatory provision requiring a one percent market pay enhancement for professional persons or school personnel in counties where the calculation yields no positive result.

Added a provision allowing county boards to provide additional market pay enhancements beyond the minimum required by the new section.

TIMELINE

Updated the effective date for the new market pay enhancement calculations to July 1, 2027.

ELIGIBILITY

Clarified that once a member of the state police or school personnel receives a market pay enhancement, it cannot be reduced unless they transfer to another county.

SCOPE

Extended the market pay enhancement provisions to include school service personnel and professional persons in addition to state police.

Enrolled Version → hb4765 s fin am _1 3-10 adopted.htm · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill amends West Virginia legislation to update salary schedules for the State Police and school personnel, while introducing a new market-based pay enhancement for State Police officers. The State Police section establishes a career progression system with specific base pay rates and adds a mechanism to provide up to 20% additional pay based on regional income differences compared to the state average, effective in 2027. School personnel sections update minimum salary schedules for teachers and service employees, adjusting base pay amounts and experience requirements for the 2026-2027 school year and beyond.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of State Police compensation by adding a new market pay enhancement provision that was not present in the original version, while updating salary schedules for both State Police and school employees to reflect new fiscal years.

FISCAL

Added a new market pay enhancement provision for State Police that allows for up to 20% additional annual pay based on regional income disparities compared to the state median.

TIMELINE

Updated effective dates for State Police and school personnel salary schedules from July 1, 2024 to July 1, 2026.

REQUIREMENT

Revised salary schedules for State Police supervisors, non-supervisors, and forensic laboratory staff with new base pay rates and experience-based increments.

Updated minimum salary schedules for teachers and service personnel with new base pay amounts and adjusted experience requirements for the 2026-2027 school year.

DEFINITION

Added new definitions for terms such as 'Border state', 'Contiguous county', 'Market pay enhancement', and 'Regional income' to support the new compensation calculation.

Engrossed Version → Enrolled Version · 7 edits · Apr 1, 2026

MODERATE

This bill updates salary schedules for West Virginia State Police officers and public school employees, effective July 1, 2026. It increases base pay for police ranks and forensic lab staff, introduces a new detailed pay scale for school service personnel, and adds specific bonuses for veteran teachers and those with advanced degrees.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of school personnel compensation by adding a comprehensive pay grade schedule for service employees (e.g., custodians, bus drivers) and clarifying eligibility for education-based supplements.

TIMELINE

The effective date for salary increases was changed from July 1, 2024, to July 1, 2026.

FISCAL

New annual salary schedules were added for West Virginia State Police ranks (e.g., Trooper, Sergeant, Captain) and forensic laboratory staff, with specific dollar amounts for each position.

The annual salary schedule for public school teachers was updated with higher base pay amounts for all years of experience and educational classifications.

A new minimum monthly pay scale was created for school service personnel (e.g., aides, custodians) based on years of experience and education level, including specific hourly rates for extra duties and asbestos removal.

REQUIREMENT

A $600 annual bonus was added for classroom teachers with at least 20 years of experience, and additional monthly supplements were established for teachers with specific advanced degrees or extra college credits.

The criteria for granting three additional years of experience for salary purposes were expanded to include teachers providing math instruction or special education services under specific conditions.

New provisions were added to ensure service personnel have written consent before daily schedules are changed and to mandate specific training and licensing for asbestos removal duties.

Introduced Version → Engrossed Version · 4 edits · Mar 14, 2026

MODERATE

This bill updates salary schedules for West Virginia State Police officers and forensic laboratory staff, as well as public school teachers and service personnel. The primary change is the effective date for these salary increases, which was shifted from July 1, 2024, to July 1, 2026, likely to align with the state's budget cycle. The bill also introduces new salary tiers for administrative support specialists within the State Police and establishes a detailed pay grade schedule for school service employees.

Scope change

The scope of the salary increase timeline was modified to apply to the 2026-2027 school year and fiscal year instead of the 2024-2025 period.

TIMELINE

The effective date for salary increases for State Police, forensic lab staff, and school personnel was changed from July 1, 2024, to July 1, 2026.

FISCAL

New salary tiers and base pay amounts were added for Administrative Support Specialists (I-VIII) within the West Virginia State Police.

A new detailed pay grade schedule (Grades A through H) was established for school service personnel, replacing the previous flat minimum pay structure.

Salary schedules for public school teachers and forensic laboratory employees were updated with new base pay figures and experience-based increments.

Teacher, School Personnel, and State Police Pay Raise

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