Legislature Passes Two Bills That Combine State Agencies

The two bills, House Bills 2008 and 2009 combine four state departments into two. Sen. Patricia Rucker, a Republican from Jefferson County, is the chair of the Senate Government Organization Committee, where the bills were sent to after they passed the House. 

She introduced primary amendments to both bills that were technical in nature. 

Under House Bill 2008, the Department of Commerce would absorb the Department of Economic Development. Economic Development would become an agency under the Department of Commerce. 

Sen. Eric Tarr, R-Putnam, introduced a secondary amendment that would have kept the departments separate. He said that the Department of Economic Development should remain its own entity to maintain focus on economic growth in the state. 

“I don’t think that West Virginia should take its eye off the ball on being laser focused, on sending our message around the planet, that you need to come to West Virginia to open up your business here,” Tarr said. 

The vote was a tie, but since an amendment requires a majority, it failed. 

Under House Bill 2009 the Department of Arts, Culture and History – which includes West Virginia Public Broadcasting – would become an agency under the Department of Tourism. 

Sen. Joey Garcia, D-Marion, attempted a secondary amendment to the bill that would have required the library section director to have a master’s degree from an American Library Association-accredited program and three years of qualifying work experience in a library.

“These requirements are important to a library section director’s ability to lead and manage the state’s library system. The library section serves over 170 libraries in the state,” Garcia said. 

That amendment, and all other attempted secondary amendments were voted down. 

If the House concurs on the Senate’s changes, then the bill will head to the governor’s desk for consideration. Gov. Morrisey has indicated he will sign the bills. 

“I pledged to make state government more efficient and accountable to the people we serve, and these bills will help us do just that,” said Governor Morrisey.

West Virginia Public Broadcasting is part of the Department of Arts, Culture and History.