MORGANTOWN – The Senate Finance Committee flashed through a locality pay bill Monday afternoon, passing it without any discussion or debate.
SB 593 opens by stating the problem.
Certain areas of the state are experiencing higher economic growth and more rapid increases in the costs of living than other areas, it says. The state is losing valuable public employees in these areas because salaries and benefits are uncompetitive. Employees in these areas need salary adjustments to maintain a uniform standard of living across the state.
The bill requires all executive branch state agencies, State Police and county school boards to develop area cost-of-living salary adjustment policies and report then to the Legislature, the governor and the state Budget Office by Sept. 1. As it came from Government Organization, the bill required that the policies be implemented by July 1, 2025. Finance amended to require that the policies simply be developed and reported by Sept. 1.
It includes various provisions to safeguard the increases. For instance, it says the policy may not be construed to prohibit other pay increases based on merit, seniority, promotion, or other reasons. If the pay raise exceeds the pay specified by Department of Personnel pay grades, that’s permitted.
If an employee no longer qualifies for locality pay, the policy should account for termination or decrease of the pay. Elected and appointed officials will not qualify for locality pay.
SB 593 passed in a voice vote and goes to the full Senate.
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