Military Spouse hiring preference
HB 3080 grants hiring preference to military spouses for state government positions. It requires state agencies to give preference to qualified military spouses when filling open positions, provided they meet the minimum job requirements. This directly affects military spouses seeking employment with the state government. The bill became law on July 31, 2025 (Chapter 179, Acts of the 2025 Regular Session), making this preference a permanent part of state hiring policy.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2025
House of Delegates Passage
Apr 2025
Senate Passage
Apr 2025
Signed into Law
Jul 2025
Introduced Mar 3, 2025
Signed Jul 31, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 4 comparisons
What changed between versions
hb3080 s mil am _1 4-2 adopted.htm
→
hb3080 s mil amt _1 4-2 adopted.htm
·
3 edits
MINOR
The bill was amended to change its title and scope. The original version proposed amending the entire Human Rights Commission article, while the amended version focuses specifically on clarifying that employers granting hiring preferences to military spouses or veterans do not violate West Virginia's Human Rights Act under certain conditions.
Scope change
The bill's scope was narrowed from a comprehensive amendment to the Human Rights Commission article to a specific provision addressing military spouse and veteran hiring preferences.
SCOPE
Changed the amendment approach from striking out everything after the enacting clause to only substituting a new title and adding a specific section about military spouse and veteran hiring preferences.
Added clarification that granting hiring preferences to military spouses or veterans who meet job requirements does not violate the state Human Rights Act.
TECHNICAL
Changed the committee amendment header from 'S MIL AM' to 'S MIL AMT' (likely a technical abbreviation change).
Floor votes · Senate Apr 8, 2025 · House of Delegates Mar 27, 2025
How they voted
32–0
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 33
Apr 8, 2025
D
Democratic2
100% Yea
R
Republican31
96% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
39
Key actions
9
Committee
7
Apr 29, 2025
Signed into law
Approved by Governor 4/25/2025
lower
Apr 12, 2025
Signed into law
Approved by Governor 4/25/2025 - Senate Journal
upper
Apr 12, 2025
Signed into law
Approved by Governor 4/25/2025 - House Journal
lower
Apr 10, 2025
Lower · Passed
House concurred in Senate amendment and passed bill (Roll No. 491)
lower
Apr 8, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed Senate with amended title (Roll No. 373)
upper
Apr 7, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee amendment adopted (Voice vote)
upper
Apr 4, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported do pass, with amendment and title amendment
upper
Mar 29, 2025
Introduced
Introduced in Senate
upper
Mar 27, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed House (Roll No. 218)
lower
Mar 24, 2025
Lower · Passed
Do pass
lower
Mar 21, 2025
Committee
To House Government Organization
lower
Mar 3, 2025
Committee
To House Agriculture, Commerce and Tourism
lower
Mar 3, 2025
Committee
To House Government Organization
lower
Mar 3, 2025
Introduced
Introduced in House
lower
Mar 3, 2025
Committee
To Government Organization
lower
1 primary · 4 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Wayne Clark
RRepublican
Co
Bill Ridenour
RRepublican
Co
Chuck Horst
RRepublican
Co
Joe Funkhouser
RRepublican
Co
Mike Hornby
RRepublican
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