Relating to creating a State Advisory Council on Establishing a Military College

West Virginia studies a military college

Beginning July 11, 2025, the law creates a council to study a West Virginia military college, not open one. The study covers an accredited school offering bachelor's degrees, modeled where practical on the six senior military colleges. It covers social and civic effects, possible sites, state costs, funding, admissions, conduct rules, courses, degrees, and military officer training. The Governor appoints seven voting members with Senate approval within 30 days after the law takes effect. Four nonvoting members represent the National Guard, Commerce Department, Higher Education Policy Commission, and a private nonprofit West Virginia college. Voting members must know and be interested in the council's work. Vacancies follow the same appointment process. The first meeting must occur within 30 days after appointment; later meetings occur at least quarterly. The Adjutant General leads the first meeting until a chair is chosen. Neither the chair nor vice chair may be a state employee. Within 60 days after its first meeting, the council must hire an executive director who is not a council member. The council sets the director's qualifications and salary, and the director serves at its pleasure. Members receive no pay, but members and the director receive repayment for reasonable, necessary work expenses actually incurred. A dedicated fund holds appropriations, investment interest, gifts, grants, and contributions for the council's work. No specific dollar amount is provided. Money carries forward between years and cannot serve as general revenue while the fund operates. Council compensation and expenses cannot be charged to the General Revenue Fund. The council must submit biannual activity reports to the Legislative Joint Committee on Government and Finance, starting by January 14, 2026. The council and fund end June 30, 2028, and remaining money transfers to the General Revenue Fund.