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West VirginiaHB 54412026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Reforming State Personnel System

Sponsored By: Roger Hanshaw (Republican)

Signed by Governor

§5F-2-8§11B-1-8§29-6-1§29-6-2§29-6-4§29-6-5§29-6-6§29-6-7§29-6-8§29-6-9§29-6-10§29-6-10A§29-6-14§29-6-16§29-6-24§29-6-25§29-6-27§49-10-101§49-10-102§49-10-103

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 4 mixed.

DOT jobs leave civil service and grievances

Beginning July 1, 2026, most DOT jobs are outside the classified civil service and the state grievance process. If you had classified status or grievance rights on June 30, 2026, you keep them only while you stay in the same position. DOT’s personnel system ends. Job titles and pay rules set before July 1, 2026 move to the Division of Personnel, and changes need the DOT Secretary’s consent. The DOT Secretary may grant classified or grievance status when needed to meet federal law or funding rules. Governor‑appointed jobs are not part of the DOT exemption, and anti‑nepotism and anti‑discrimination laws still apply. Probationary staff fired for failing or refusing a drug or alcohol test cannot get severance, and leaving a DOT job for the listed departments moves you to classified‑exempt (at‑will, outside Division pay schedules).

Social Services HR moves under state system

Starting July 1, 2026, the Bureau for Social Services cannot run its own classified personnel system. Bureau staff fall under the statewide personnel rules. Job classes and pay set before July 1, 2026 move to the Division of Personnel, and changes need the Human Services Secretary’s consent or a specific law. The law also repeals the Bureau’s exemption from the Division and removes its exception from uniform pay rules.

State HR centralized with new hiring rules

The law ends the State Personnel Board and gives its rulemaking power to the Director of the Division of Personnel. The Division runs statewide HR systems, including job classes, pay plans, applicant evaluation, records, training, and compliance. The Director is appointed by the Administration Secretary and may set recruitment and retention programs, including monetary incentives. The Division can set rules for open competition, veterans get five extra points on exams, probation may last up to one year, provisional hiring is allowed when no list exists, and pay plans need the Governor’s approval. Division records are open under FOIA, but personal data of employees and applicants stays private. For classified jobs, openings must be posted at least five calendar days, and if a new hire leaves within 30 days, agencies may fill from the same list within 60 days without reposting.

Tax Division HR moves under state system

Beginning July 1, 2026, the Tax Division’s separate personnel authority ends. Job titles and pay structures the Tax Division set before July 1, 2026 move to the Division of Personnel. The Division cannot change those pre‑2026 items without the Secretary of Revenue’s consent or a specific law. This centralizes HR for Tax Division staff under statewide rules while keeping existing pay/class terms unless consent is given.

Leave donation and two HR rules repealed

The state’s leave donation program in §29‑6‑27 is repealed. The law also repeals the workforce‑reduction statute (§29‑6‑10a) and payroll‑certification rules (§29‑6‑14). These removals end donated‑leave benefits under that statute and change how HR and payroll oversight work going forward.

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Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Roger Hanshaw

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 340 • No: 103

House vote • 3/14/2026

Effective July 1, 2026 (Roll No. 650)

Yes: 74 • No: 23

House vote • 3/14/2026

House concurred in Senate amendment and passed bill (Roll No. 649)

Yes: 71 • No: 26

Senate vote • 3/13/2026

Effective July 1, 2026 (Roll No. 568)

Yes: 34 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/13/2026

Passed Senate (Roll No. 567)

Yes: 28 • No: 6

House vote • 3/4/2026

Effective July 1, 2026 (Roll No. 314)

Yes: 75 • No: 16

House vote • 3/4/2026

Passed House (Roll No. 313)

Yes: 58 • No: 32

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by Governor 3/27/2026

    3/27/2026House

  2. To Governor 3/25/26

    3/25/2026House

  3. House received Senate message

    3/14/2026House

  4. House concurred in Senate amendment and passed bill (Roll No. 649)

    3/14/2026House

  5. Effective July 1, 2026 (Roll No. 650)

    3/14/2026House

  6. Communicated to Senate

    3/14/2026House

  7. Completed legislative action

    3/14/2026House

  8. House Message received

    3/14/2026Senate

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

    3/14/2026Senate

  10. Approved by Governor 3/27/2026 - Senate Journal

    3/14/2026Senate

  11. Approved by Governor 3/27/2026 - House Journal

    3/14/2026House

  12. On 3rd reading with right to amend

    3/13/2026Senate

  13. Read 3rd time

    3/13/2026Senate

  14. Committee amendment adopted (Voice vote)

    3/13/2026Senate

  15. Passed Senate (Roll No. 567)

    3/13/2026Senate

  16. Effective July 1, 2026 (Roll No. 568)

    3/13/2026Senate

  17. Senate requests House to concur

    3/13/2026Senate

  18. Reported do pass, with amendment

    3/12/2026Senate

  19. Immediate consideration

    3/12/2026Senate

  20. Read 2nd time

    3/12/2026Senate

  21. Without recommendation, but first rereferred to Judiciary

    3/11/2026Senate

  22. Immediate consideration

    3/11/2026Senate

  23. Read 1st time

    3/11/2026Senate

  24. On 2nd reading, rereferred to Judiciary

    3/11/2026Senate

  25. Introduced in Senate

    3/5/2026Senate

Bill Text

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