SB 503 West Virginia Senate · 2025 Regular Session

Allowing sheriffs to appoint more than one chief deputy with consent of county commission

SB 503 allows West Virginia sheriffs to appoint more than one chief deputy, provided the county commission consents. This change directly affects sheriffs and county commissions, who must now approve such appointments. The bill removes previous restrictions that limited sheriffs to a single chief deputy, addressing staffing needs in larger counties. It does not alter political restrictions for chief deputies or firearm rules for conservators, which are separate provisions in the bill.

Bill status failed 4 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2025

Committee Review

Apr 2025

Senate Passage

Mar 2025

House of Delegates Passage

Apr 2025

Governor

Introduced Feb 14, 2025 Last action Apr 12, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Committee Substitute → sb503 sub h go am _1 adopted.htm · 6 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to replace the Committee Substitute version with a new version that significantly restructured the statute. The primary change involves removing detailed political activity restrictions for chief deputies and simplifying the appointment process for deputies. Additionally, new provisions were added regarding local conservators of the peace, including specific requirements for their appointment, compensation, powers, and removal procedures.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded to include more detailed regulations for local conservators of the peace, while reducing restrictions on chief deputies' political activities.

REQUIREMENT

Removed detailed restrictions on chief deputies soliciting political contributions and using official authority for political purposes, replacing them with a single provision allowing more than one chief deputy appointment.

Added requirements that local conservators must be licensed and bonded under §61-7-2 to carry weapons, and specified population thresholds for appointing conservators (one per 2,500 inhabitants, minimum 1,500 for any community).

SCOPE

Added comprehensive provisions for local conservators of the peace, including eligibility requirements (residency and taxpayer status), appointment procedures, compensation limits ($75/month minimum), and specific powers and limitations.

DEFINITION

Added a new definition for 'unincorporated community' as any center of population with 50 or more persons within one square mile.

ENFORCEMENT

Added specific removal procedures for local conservators, including grounds for removal (drunkenness, gross immorality, incompetence, neglect of duty) and petition requirements by three or more residents.

FISCAL

Established that local conservators receive a salary of not less than $75 per month from county treasury funds contributed by residents of the community they serve.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 7, 2025 · House of Delegates Apr 11, 2025

How they voted

33–0

Passed

Total votes 33

Mar 7, 2025

D Democratic2

2 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican31

31 Yea

100% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Apr 11, 2025

Lower · Passed

Passed House (Roll No. 506)

lower

Apr 10, 2025

Lower · Passed

Committee amendment adopted (Voice vote)

lower

Apr 10, 2025

Introduced

Amendment reported by the Clerk

lower

Apr 9, 2025

Lower · Passed

With amendment, do pass

lower

Mar 10, 2025

Committee

To House Government Organization

lower

Mar 10, 2025

Committee

To Government Organization

lower

Mar 10, 2025

Introduced

Introduced in House

lower

Mar 7, 2025

Upper · Passed

Passed Senate (Roll No. 74)

upper

Mar 4, 2025

Upper · Passed

Committee substitute reported

upper

Feb 14, 2025

Introduced

Introduced in Senate

upper

Feb 14, 2025

Committee

To Judiciary

upper

1 primary · 1 co-sponsor