Bill Text: WV HCR34 | 2026 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to study the feasibility, costs, and policy considerations associated with providing cost-of-living adjustments for public school teachers, school service personnel, and members of the West Virginia State Police.
Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Republican 1)
Status: (Introduced) 2026-03-14 - Introduced in House [HCR34 Detail]
Download: West_Virginia-2026-HCR34-Introduced.html
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 34
(By Delegate Funkhouser)
[Introduced March 14, 2026]
Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to study the feasibility, costs, and policy considerations associated with providing cost-of-living adjustments for public school teachers, school service personnel, and members of the West Virginia State Police.
Whereas, Public school teachers, school service personnel, and members of the West Virginia State Police provide essential services to the citizens of West Virginia and play a critical role in maintaining the state’s education system and public safety; and
Whereas, Inflation and increases in the cost of housing, transportation, healthcare, and other necessities have significantly impacted the purchasing power of workers across the state; and
Whereas, Periodic evaluation of compensation policies helps ensure that salaries for these public servants remain competitive and adequate to attract and retain qualified individuals; and
Whereas, Cost-of-living adjustments are one mechanism used by governments and employers to address the impact of inflation on employee compensation; and
Whereas, Any policy providing cost-of-living adjustments should be carefully studied to determine the fiscal impact on the state and to ensure that implementation is fair, sustainable, and consistent with existing compensation structures; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to study the feasibility, costs, and policy considerations associated with providing cost-of-living adjustments for: (1) public school teachers; (2) school service personnel; and (3) members of the West Virginia State Police; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the study include, but not be limited to, the following:
(1) Evaluation of options for implementing cost-of-living adjustments, including percentage-based adjustments, fixed-dollar adjustments, or other mechanisms;
(2) Analysis of how cost-of-living adjustments could interact with existing compensation structures for the affected groups;
(3) Review of projected fiscal impacts of potential cost-of-living adjustments, including estimated costs over time and potential funding considerations;
(4) Consideration of recruitment and retention impacts associated with compensation adjustments for teachers, school service personnel, and state police; and
(5) Identification of any administrative or policy issues that may arise in implementing cost-of-living adjustments for the covered employees; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2027, on its findings, conclusions, and recommendations, together with drafts of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this study, to prepare a report, and to draft any necessary legislation be paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.
