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Senate votes to fold Economic Development into Commerce after floor fight over civil service
Summary
The Senate passed the committee substitute for House Bill 2008, moving the Department of Economic Development into the Department of Commerce and making new hires classified-exempt after July 1, 2025. Lawmakers debated civil service protections and the bill’s handling of DNR police and federal funding requirements.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Senate on April 7 approved an engrossed committee substitute for House Bill 2008 that reconstitutes the Department of Economic Development as a division within the Department of Commerce and changes hiring classifications for future employees.
Supporters said the change will streamline recruitment and operations. “It reconstitutes the department of economic development as a division within the department of commerce,” said Senator from Jefferson, who explained the strike-and-insert amendment on the floor. “The bill makes employees hired after 07/01/2025 classified exempt. Current employees, however, retain their status as long as they remain in their current position.”
Opponents warned the move could dilute…
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