H. B. 2286
(By Delegates Douglas, Collins, Tucker, Prunty, Claypole,
Stalnaker and Capito)
(Originating in the Committee on Government Organization)
[February 28, 1997]
A BILL to amend and reenact section two, article two, chapter
fifteen of the code of West Virginia, one thousand nine
hundred thirty-one, as amended, continuing the West Virginia
state police until the first day of July, one thousand nine
hundred ninety-nine.
Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That section two, article two, chapter fifteen of the code
of West Virginia, one thousand nine hundred thirty-one, as
amended, be amended and reenacted to read as follows:
§15-2-2. Superintendent; departmental headquarters; continuation
of the state police.
The department of public safety, heretofore established,
shall be continued and hereafter shall be known as the West
Virginia state police. Wherever the words "department of public
safety" or "division of public safety" appear in this code, they
shall mean the West Virginia state police. The governor shall
nominate, and by and with the advice and consent of the Senate,
appoint a superintendent to be the executive and administrative
head of the department. Notwithstanding any provision of this code to the contrary, the superintendent shall be paid an annual salary of sixty thousand dollars. The superintendent shall hold
the rank of colonel and is entitled to all rights, benefits and
privileges of regularly enlisted members. On the date of his or
her appointment, the superintendent shall be at least thirty
years of age. Before entering upon the discharge of the duties
of his or her office, he or she shall execute a bond in the
penalty of ten thousand dollars, payable to the state of West
Virginia and conditioned upon the faithful performance of his or
her duties. Such bond both as to form and security shall be
approved as to form by the attorney general, and to sufficiency
by the governor.
Before entering upon the duties of his or her office the
superintendent shall subscribe to the oath hereinafter provided.
The headquarters of the department shall be located in Kanawha
County.
Pursuant to the provisions of article ten, chapter four of
this code, the West Virginia state police shall continue to exist
until the first day of July, one thousand nine hundred
ninety-seven, to allow for the completion of a preliminary
performance review through the joint committee on government
operations ninety-nine.
NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to continue the West
Virginia State Police until July 1, 1999, pursuant to the
provisions of the West Virginia Sunset Law.
Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken
from the present law, and underscoring indicates new language
that would be added.
This bill is recommended by the Joint Committee on
Government Operations for passage during the 1997 Regular Session
of the Legislature.