2023 REGULAR SESSION

Introduced

House Bill 2375

By Delegate Hott

[Introduced January 11, 2023; Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs and Homeland Security then Finance]

A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated as §15-2-5a, relating to the West Virginia State Police; and providing additional salary and sign on incentive benefits to members of the state police.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:

ARTICLE 2. WEST VIRGINIA STATE POLICE.

§15-2-5a. Signup Incentives and additional salary benefits.

(a) The superintendent shall establish within the West Virginia State Police a system to provide for:  (1) Locality pay for membership of the State Police which consists of a five percent cost-of-living pay increase in areas of the state where the cost-of-living is significantly higher than the state average; and (2) a student loan forgiveness or sign on bonus incentive, but not both, of up to $10,000 paid in three equal installments over 24 months, the first payment made after successfully graduating from the academy, the second payment made after one year of service, and the third payment upon the completion of two years’ service.

(b) To receive the student loan forgiveness, the member shall present a proof of debt directly from the lender making the student loan. The payment to the lender loan shall be made directly by the West Virginia State Police in three equal installments as provided in subsection (a) of this section.

NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to provide additional salary and sign on incentive benefits to members of the state police.

Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from a heading or the present law and underscoring indicates new language that would be added.