West Virginia § 7-7-1 Legislative findings and purpose

West Virginia Statutes

§ 7-7-1 — Legislative findings and purpose

West Virginia § 7-7-1

Ch. 7COUNTY COMMISSIONS AND OFFICERS

Art. 7COMPENSATION OF ELECTED COUNTY OFFICIALS

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Bluebook

W. Va. Code § 7-7-1 (2026).

Text

(a)The Legislature finds that it has, since January 1, 2015, consistently and annually imposed upon the county commissioners, sheriffs, county and circuit clerks, assessors and prosecuting attorneys in each county new and additional duties by the enactment of new provisions and amendments to this code. The new and additional duties imposed upon the aforesaid county officials by these enactments are such that they would justify the increases in compensation as provided in section four of this article, without violating the provisions of section 38, article VI of the Constitution of West Virginia.

(b)The Legislature further finds that there are, from time to time, additional duties imposed upon all county officials through the acts of the Congress of the United States and that such acts c

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(a) The Legislature finds that it has, since January 1, 2015, consistently and annually imposed upon the county commissioners, sheriffs, county and circuit clerks, assessors and prosecuting attorneys in each county new and additional duties by the enactment of new provisions and amendments to this code. The new and additional duties imposed upon the aforesaid county officials by these enactments are such that they would justify the increases in compensation as provided in section four of this article, without violating the provisions of section 38, article VI of the Constitution of West Virginia.

(b) The Legislature further finds that there are, from time to time, additional duties imposed upon all county officials through the acts of the Congress of the United States and that such acts constitute new and additional duties for county officials and, as such, justify the increases in compensation as provided by section four of this article, without violating the provisions of section 38, article VI of the Constitution of West Virginia.

(c) The Legislature further finds that there is a direct correlation between the total assessed property valuations of a county on which the salary levels of the county commissioners, sheriffs, county and circuit clerks, assessors and prosecuting attorneys are based, and the new and additional duties that each of these officials is required to perform as they serve the best interests of their respective counties. Inasmuch as the reappraisal of the property valuations in each county has now been accomplished, the Legislature finds that a change in classification of counties by virtue of increased property valuations will occur on an infrequent basis. However, it is the further finding of the Legislature that when such change in classification of counties does occur, that new and additional programs, economic developments, requirements of public safety and the need for new services provided by county officials all increase, that the same constitute new and additional duties for county officials as their respective counties reach greater heights of economic development, as exemplified by the substantial increases in property valuations and, as such, justify the increases in compensation provided in section four of this article, without violating the provisions of section 38, article VI of the Constitution of West Virginia.

(d) The Legislature further finds and declares that the amendments enacted to this article are intended to modify the provisions of this article so as to cause the same to be in full compliance with the provisions of the Constitution of West Virginia and to be in full compliance with the decisions of the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia.

Legislative History

2025 Reg. Sess., SB690; 2022 Reg. Sess., SB172; 2022 Reg. Sess., SB1005; 2006 Reg. Sess., HB4100; 2006 Reg. Sess., SB775; 2006 Reg. Sess., SB4018; 2002 Reg. Sess., SB211; 1996 Reg. Sess., SB382; 1972 Reg. Sess., HB1202; 1971 Reg. Sess., HB674; 1968 Reg. Sess., SB136; 1967 Reg. Sess., HB1109; 1964 Reg. Sess., HB21; 1959 Reg. Sess., HB350; 1957 Reg. Sess., HB284; 1956 Reg. Sess., SB17; 1955 Reg. Sess., HB489; 1953 Reg. Sess., HB459; 1951 Reg. Sess., HB373; 1949 Reg. Sess., HB115; 1947 Reg. Sess., SB282; 1945 Reg. Sess., SB198; 1937 Reg. Sess., HB420; 1937 Reg. Sess., HB5