Chapter 29, Chapter 29

(a) Nothing contained in this article limits rights, privileges or immunities provided to volunteer health practitioners by laws other than this article. Except as otherwise provided in subsection (b) of this section, this article does not affect requirements for the use of healt…

(a) This article may be known and cited as the "Resiliency and Flood Protection Planning Act". (b) The West Virginia Legislature finds that: (1) Flooding has affected each of the 55 counties and 32 major watersheds within the state; (2) Over the past 52 years, more than 282 West …

(a) There is hereby created a special trust fund which shall be designated and known as the West Virginia Flood Resiliency Trust Fund to be administered by the State Resiliency Officer. The Flood Fund shall consist of: (1) Any appropriations, grants, gifts, contributions, or reve…

Upon the development of a new state Flood Resiliency Plan, the State Resiliency Officer shall have the power to disburse funds from the Flood Fund for the purposes of implementing the Flood Resiliency Plan to any person, political subdivision, or local organization in such amount…

The State Resiliency Officer is hereby granted, has, and may exercise all powers necessary or appropriate to carry out and effectuate the purposes set forth in §29-31-11 of this code. The State Resiliency Officer has the power: (1) To accept appropriations, gifts, grants, bequest…

(a) The West Virginia Flood Resiliency Trust Fund may be granted an initial one-time allocation of $40 million in state general funds for the purposes outlined in this article. (b) The State Resiliency Officer shall, with the concurrence of the State Auditor, present an expenditu…

The State Resiliency Officer shall not be required to pay any taxes and assessments to the state or any political subdivision of the state upon any of its moneys, properties, or assets or upon its obligations or other evidences of indebtedness pursuant to the provisions of this a…

(a) It is determined that a state authority is required to provide a coordinated effort and planning for disaster recovery and resiliency between government agencies, first responders, and all other entities to reduce the loss of life and property, lessen the impact of future dis…

As used in this article: "Board" means the West Virginia State Resiliency Office Board created by this article; "Code" means the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; "Community facilities" means a specific work, or improvement within this state or a specific item of equipment…

The State Resiliency Office will coordinate the state’s disaster recovery and resiliency missions and the State Resiliency Officer serves as the primary representative of the Governor in these matters. The State Resiliency Officer shall, upon the order and direction of the Govern…

The State Resiliency Officer shall report, at a minimum of quarterly, to the Joint Legislative Committee on Flooding, created pursuant to §4-15-1 et seq. of this code, in sufficient detail for the committee to be aware of the activities of the office to assure progress toward red…

(a) The State Resiliency Officer shall have the power to hire, administer, and manage employees necessary to fulfill its responsibilities. (1) All employees will be exempt from both the classified services category and the classified-exempt services category as set forth in §29-6…

(a) There is hereby created a special trust fund which shall be designated and known as the West Virginia Disaster Recovery Trust Fund to be administered by the State Resiliency Officer. The recovery fund shall consist of: (1) Any appropriations, grants, gifts, contributions, or …

Upon the proclamation of the existence of a state of emergency due to a natural hazards event under the provisions of §15-5-6 of this code or upon a Presidential declaration of a major disaster under Section 406 of the Stafford Act, the State Resiliency Officer shall have the pow…

The State Resiliency Officer is hereby granted, has and may exercise all powers necessary or appropriate to carry out and effectuate the purposes set forth in §29-31-7 of this code. The State Resiliency Officer has the power: (1) To accept appropriations, gifts, grants, bequests,…

(a) The West Virginia Disaster Recovery Trust Fund may be granted an initial one-time allocation of $10 million in state general funds for the purposes outlined in this article. (b) The State Resiliency Officer shall, with the concurrence of the State Auditor, present an expendit…

(a) There is hereby established a Medal of Valor to be awarded to firefighters, law-enforcement officers, and emergency medical services personnel who distinguish themselves conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of their lives above and beyond the call of duty in…

(a) The First Responders Honor Board is hereby established within the Department of Homeland Security as an advisory board to the Legislature. The purpose of the board is to recommend to the Legislature firefighters, law-enforcement officers, and emergency medical services person…

(a) The Legislature may act on a nomination from the Honor Board established by this article by passing a concurrent resolution. (b) Upon nomination by the First Responders Honor Board, and adoption of a concurrent resolution by the Legislature, the Governor shall bestow the Meda…

The provisions of this article apply to all professions requiring an occupational license or other authorization to practice or perform a specific occupation in this state regulated by this chapter. This article may be known and cited as the “RECAP Act.”

The board may charge a fee to the person to recoup its costs. The fee may not exceed the cost of an application for original licensure charged by the board. Any application for renewing a license after obtaining a license under this article shall comply with the board’s establish…

This article preempts laws by township, municipal, county, and other governments in the state which regulate occupational licenses and other authorization to practice.

Boards affected by these provisions may promulgate rules pursuant to §29A-3-1 et seq. of this code to carry out the provisions of this article.

The words defined in this section have the meanings given them for purposes of this article unless the context clearly requires otherwise. “Board” means a government agency, board, department, or other government entity that regulates a lawful occupation and issues an occupationa…

(a) Notwithstanding any other law, the board shall issue an occupational license or other authorization to practice to a person upon application, if all the following apply: (1) The person holds a valid occupational license or other authorization to practice in another state in a…

Notwithstanding any other law, the board shall issue an occupational license or other authorization to practice to a person upon application based on work experience in another state, if all the following apply: (1) The person worked in a state that does not use an occupational l…

A board may require a person to pass a jurisprudential examination specific to relevant West Virginia laws that regulate the occupation if an occupational license or other authorization to practice in this state requires a person to pass such examination for original licensure.

The board will provide the person with a written decision issuing or denying a license within 60 days after receiving a complete application.

(a) The person may appeal the board’s decision to a court of general jurisdiction in the county where the person resides. (b) The person may appeal the board’s: (1) Denial of an occupational license or other authorization to practice; (2) Determination of the occupation; (3) Dete…

A person who obtains an occupational license or other authorization to practice pursuant to this article is subject to: (1) The laws regulating the occupation in this state; and (2) The jurisdiction of the board in this state.

(a) An occupational license or other authorization to practice issued pursuant to this article is valid only in West Virginia. It does not make the person eligible to work in another state under an interstate compact or reciprocity agreement unless otherwise provided in law. (b) …

(a) This article may be known and cited as the Recovery and Hope Act. (b) The West Virginia Legislature finds that: (1) The substance use disorder epidemic in the State of West Virginia has created a public health crisis, an economic crisis, and a social services crisis for our s…

(a) The State Recovery and Hope Office is hereby created. The office shall be organized within the Office of the Governor. The office will serve as the coordinating agency of recovery efforts. (b) The State Recovery and Hope Officer shall be appointed by the Governor with the adv…

The State Recovery and Hope Office will coordinate the state’s efforts to assist those experiencing substance use disorder in their recovery and transition into the workforce. The State Recovery and Hope Officer shall serve as the primary representative of the Governor, and the a…

(a) The State Recovery and Hope Officer shall have the power to hire, administer, and manage employees, but only to the extent necessary to fulfill the office’s responsibilities. (1) Any and all employees will be exempt from both the classified services category and the classifie…

(a) This article may be known and cited as the West Virginia Workforce Resiliency Act. (b) It is the purpose of this article to establish an office within the Office of the Governor to coordinate workforce development, job training, education, and related programs and initiatives…

(a) It is determined that a state authority is necessary to coordinate and better facilitate efforts toward workforce development, job training, education, and resource management between government agencies, private partners, federal programs, and all other entities working to d…

The West Virginia Workforce Resiliency Officer shall: (a) Coordinate and work with the Commissioner of WorkForce West Virginia; the Secretary of the Department of Economic Development; the Secretary of the Department of Commerce; the Secretary of the Department of Health and Huma…

(a) The West Virginia Workforce Resiliency Officer shall have the power to hire, administer, and manage employees necessary to fulfill its responsibilities: (1) All employees will be exempt from both the classified services category and the classified-exempt services category as …

Findings—the Legislature finds that: Over 15 percent of West Virginia’s population is of Irish descent, which, according to the Irish diplomat Barbara Jones, represents a higher figure than that in Boston or New York City; The ties that bind Ireland to West Virginia are deep and …

(a) For these and other reasons, there is hereby established the West Virginia-Ireland Trade Commission. The commission shall consist of 9 members, to be appointed as follows: (1) Two members of the Senate, who shall be appointed by the President of the Senate, shall have knowled…

(a) Members of the commission shall receive the same compensation authorized by law for members of the Legislature for the interim duties for each day, or portion thereof, the member is engaged in the discharge of official duties. All members shall be reimbursed for their actual …

(a) The purpose of the West Virginia-Ireland Trade Commission shall be to: (1) Advance bilateral trade and investment between West Virginia and Ireland; (2) Initiate joint action on policy issues of mutual interest to West Virginia and Ireland; (3) Promote business and academic e…

The commission shall report its findings, results, and recommendations to the Governor, and the Legislature, within one year of its initial organizational meeting and by February 1st of each succeeding year for the activities of the preceding calendar year. The report shall be in…

The West Virginia-Ireland Trade Commission shall be authorized to raise funds, through direct solicitation or other fundraising events, alone, or with other groups, and accept gifts, grants, and bequests from individuals, corporations, foundations, governmental agencies, and publ…

This act shall take effect March 17, 2023.