Bill > HB4839

This bill establishes a Geographic Assignment Compensation Differential for sworn members of the West Virginia State Police, meaning an additional payment on top of their regular salary. The Legislature found that State Police officers are assigned duty stations by their superiors and cannot choose where they work, and that some areas of West Virginia have significantly higher housing costs than the state average. This disparity creates a financial burden for officers stationed in these high-cost areas, negatively impacting recruitment and retention. To address this, the bill creates a system where the State Budget Office will designate geographic zones based on objective housing cost indicators like median home values and rental rates, with these zones reviewed at least every two years. Officers assigned to these zones who live within a reasonable commuting distance will receive a percentage supplement to their base salary, with the percentage reflecting how much housing costs in their zone exceed the statewide median. This differential is not considered base salary for retirement or other benefits unless specifically allowed by law, and it will stop if an officer is reassigned or voluntarily transfers out of an eligible zone. Funding for this differential will come from specific legislative appropriations and will not reduce any existing compensation or benefits.

Government Affairs

http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/Bills_history.cfm?input=4839&year=2026&sessiontype=RS&btype=bill