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West VirginiaHB 47652026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Teacher, School Personnel, and State Police Pay Raise

Sponsored By: Roger Hanshaw (Republican)

Signed by Governor

§15-2-5§18A-4-2§18A-4-8A

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

11 provisions identified: 9 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.

Higher pay and monthly add-ons for service staff

Beginning July 1, 2026, the state sets a new minimum monthly pay table for service employees. Over 3.5 hours a day gets the full amount; 3.5 hours or less gets half. Every service employee also gets $164 per month as part of minimum pay. Add‑ons: $12/month for a high school diploma; $11/month for each listed college‑hours milestone; $40/month for each listed degree; and $11/month for each listed degree‑plus‑credits combo. If any part of your shift is 6:00 p.m.–5:00 a.m., you get at least $10 more per month.

Higher pay and promotions for State Police and lab staff

Beginning July 1, 2026, the law sets new base salaries for State Police ranks, admin support, and listed forensic lab jobs, paid at least twice a month. Members get a $500 raise after two years of service, and another $500 for each full year after that. Eligible members can receive up to $200 in supplemental pay each pay period instead of overtime if they have completed basic training and are FLSA‑exempt. The superintendent sets clear promotion paths and job classes, and may make rules on pay‑period hours and how extra pay is prorated.

Higher teacher pay and certification add-ons

For the 2026–2027 school year and after, the state sets a minimum salary table for teachers. Teachers also get extra pay by certification class and years of experience (capped at 35 years). For example, 4th Class adds $1,781 plus $38 per year; a Doctorate adds $2,927 plus $69 per year. Teachers with 20 or more years get an extra $600 each year. These amounts are paid monthly and count as state minimum pay.

Extra experience credit for math and special ed

Math teachers who teach math at least 60% of the time get three extra years of credited experience for pay calculations. Full‑time special education teachers who are certified in special education also get three extra credited years. If the extra years would push you past the top step, you still get the added pay equal to three years.

Extra pay and safety rules for asbestos work

If you do asbestos removal, you get your regular daily pay plus at least $3 per hour, or $5 per hour if you supervise. If you work in another county, you get that county’s daily rate plus $30 per day. You must complete EPA‑approved training and be licensed before these duties. Employers must provide protective gear and keep required EPA records. County funds pay the added amounts.

Overtime, holiday, and extra-duty pay for service staff

If you work on a legal school holiday, those hours are paid at 1.5 times your usual hourly rate. Full‑time service staff who work extra hours in a week with a school holiday get 1.5 times for those extra hours. For extra‑duty work, your hourly rate must be at least one‑seventh of your daily salary; a county can set a different minimum for a job group with board approval and a two‑thirds vote of full‑time staff. Pay is prorated for partial hours.

Bond and training payback for cadets

Before starting duty, each State Police member (not the superintendent or civilians) must execute a $5,000 bond approved by the Attorney General and Governor. The agency may require cadets to sign an agreement before training that if they leave on their own within one year after completion, they must repay a pro rata share of the pay received during training.

State Police not covered by wage laws

State Police members are excluded from state wage‑and‑hour laws. State overtime and other wage protections do not apply to covered members under state law.

Aide supervisory duties that earn extra pay

An aide is supervising pupils when required to supervise, control, direct, monitor, escort, or serve children without a certified professional present. “Direct supervision” means the certified professional is present and with the aide. This clarifies who qualifies for extra pay tied to supervisory duties.

No schedule cuts for service staff without consent

Your employer cannot change your daily work schedule during the school year without your written consent. They also cannot change hours just to avoid paying time‑and‑a‑half or to hire another worker.

Paid leave for Guard and reserve duty

A State Police member called to National Guard or reserve training can get up to 30 calendar days of leave each year. This leave does not reduce your other accrued leave. You must request the leave.

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Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Roger Hanshaw

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Sean Hornbuckle

    Democratic • House

  • Gary G. Howell

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 162 • No: 1

Senate vote • 3/14/2026

Senate receded and passed (Roll No. 715)

Yes: 33 • No: 1

Senate vote • 3/13/2026

Passed Senate (Roll No. 548)

Yes: 34 • No: 0

House vote • 2/19/2026

Passed House (Roll No. 130)

Yes: 95 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by Governor 4/1/2026

    4/1/2026House

  2. To Governor 3/25/2026

    3/25/2026House

  3. House received Senate message

    3/14/2026House

  4. House refused to concur; requested Senate to recede (Voice)

    3/14/2026House

  5. Communicated to Senate

    3/14/2026House

  6. House Message received

    3/14/2026Senate

  7. Senate receded and passed (Roll No. 715)

    3/14/2026Senate

  8. Communicated to House

    3/14/2026Senate

  9. Completed legislative action

    3/14/2026Senate

  10. To Governor 3/25/2026 - Senate Journal

    3/14/2026Senate

  11. Approved by Governor 4/1/2026 - Senate Journal

    3/14/2026Senate

  12. Approved by Governor 4/1/2026 - House Journal

    3/14/2026House

  13. On 3rd reading with right to amend

    3/13/2026Senate

  14. Read 3rd time

    3/13/2026Senate

  15. Committee amendment reported

    3/13/2026Senate

  16. Amendments to committee amendment adopted (Voice vote)

    3/13/2026Senate

  17. Committee amendment as amended adopted (Voice vote)

    3/13/2026Senate

  18. Passed Senate (Roll No. 548)

    3/13/2026Senate

  19. Title amendment adopted

    3/13/2026Senate

  20. Senate requests House to concur

    3/13/2026Senate

  21. On 2nd reading

    3/12/2026Senate

  22. Read 2nd time

    3/12/2026Senate

  23. Reported do pass, with amendment

    3/11/2026Senate

  24. Immediate consideration

    3/11/2026Senate

  25. Read 1st time

    3/11/2026Senate

Bill Text

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