To include all West Virginia correctional classifications in the Natural Resources Officer Pension System.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Larry Kump

HB 2081 ensures West Virginia correctional officers receive equal retirement benefits as other law enforcement, enhancing their retirement security and acknowledging their service.

To House Finance

#naturalresources #retirement

Purpose and Intent

House Bill 2081 (HB 2081) aims to amend the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources Police Officer Retirement System to include all correctional classifications within the system. This legislation seeks to ensure that correctional officers in West Virginia receive the same retirement benefits as other law enforcement personnel, thereby enhancing their retirement security and acknowledging their service.

Key Provisions

Inclusion of Correctional Classifications: The bill proposes to include all classifications of correctional officers in the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources Police Officer Retirement System, allowing them to participate in the same retirement benefits as other law enforcement officers.

Membership Requirements:

Any Natural Resources Police Officer first employed after the effective date of this article will automatically be a member of the retirement system.
Officers with concurrent employment in other retirement systems (e.g., Deputy Sheriff Retirement System) must choose one system to participate in, based on their earliest date of hire.

Transfer of Service Credits:

Officers who transfer from the Public Employees Retirement System to the Natural Resources Police Officer Retirement System will have their credited service recognized, ensuring they do not lose retirement benefits accrued prior to the transfer.

Rehire Provisions:

Officers who were employed between the effective date of the article and June 30, 2026, and who have not retired, will automatically become members upon rehire.

Timeframe for Notification: Officers must notify the Division of Natural Resources and the retirement board of their desire to join the plan within specified timeframes.

Affected Parties

Correctional Officers: This bill directly impacts all correctional officers in West Virginia, providing them with enhanced retirement benefits.

State Retirement Systems: The bill will affect the administration of the retirement systems, particularly in terms of membership and service credit transfers.

Procedural Aspects

Introduced: January 29, 2025

Current Status: The bill is currently in the House Finance Committee.

Legislative Actions:

The bill has undergone several readings and amendments, with the latest action on April 11, 2025, when it was re-referred to the Rules Committee.
The bill has received support from co-sponsors and has been discussed in various legislative committees.

Conclusion

HB 2081 represents a significant step toward improving the retirement benefits for correctional officers in West Virginia, aligning their benefits with those of other law enforcement personnel. The bill's progress through the legislative process will determine its final impact on the state's correctional workforce and their retirement security.

Bill