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HB 2008

Executive Branch Reorganization

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Roger Hanshaw and 1 co-sponsor

House Bill 2008 reorganizes West Virginia's executive branch, merging the Department of Economic Development into Commerce, affecting employee classifications and efficiency.

Chapter 135, Acts, Regular Session, 2025
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Bill Summary · HB 2008

Summary of House Bill 2008: Executive Branch Reorganization

Bill Number: HB 2008
Title: Executive Branch Reorganization
Status: Chapter 135, Acts, Regular Session, 2025
Introduced: February 18, 2025
Effective Date: July 1, 2025

Purpose and Intent

House Bill 2008 aims to reorganize the executive branch of the West Virginia government by merging and redesignating various departments and divisions. The primary focus is on the Department of Economic Development, which will be reconstituted as the Division of Economic Development under the Department of Commerce. This reorganization seeks to streamline operations, enhance efficiency, and clarify the structure of state government.

Key Provisions

  • Reorganization of Departments:

    • The Department of Economic Development will be renamed and restructured as the Division of Economic Development within the Department of Commerce.
    • The bill includes technical corrections to titles and references throughout the West Virginia Code to reflect these changes.

  • Employment Status Changes:

    • Starting July 1, 2025, all new hires and employees moving positions within the Department of Commerce and the Division of Economic Development will be classified as exempt from the state grievance procedures and the classified civil service system.
    • Current employees in the classified civil service will retain their status as long as they remain in their current positions.

  • Federal Compliance:

    • The Secretary of the Department of Commerce will have the authority to designate certain employees' status within the civil service system to comply with federal laws or to secure federal funding.

  • Transfer of Responsibilities:

    • The bill also specifies the transfer of certain law enforcement duties from the Division of Natural Resources to the Department of Homeland Security.

  • Repeal of Certain Sections:

    • The bill repeals outdated sections of the West Virginia Code that are no longer applicable following the reorganization.

Impact

  • Affected Entities:

    • The reorganization will primarily affect employees within the Department of Commerce and the newly designated Division of Economic Development.
    • It will also impact the structure and operations of the Department of Homeland Security concerning law enforcement duties.

  • Employee Protections:

    • While new hires will not have access to state grievance procedures, existing employees will retain their rights as long as they remain in their positions.

Legislative Timeline

  • February 18, 2025: Bill introduced and referred to the Committee on Government Organization.
  • April 11, 2025: Bill passed by the House and Senate, approved by the Governor on April 25, 2025.
  • July 1, 2025: Effective date for the provisions outlined in the bill.

This reorganization is part of a broader effort to enhance the efficiency of state government operations and ensure compliance with federal requirements.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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