§4-2A-2. Basic compensation for services; proration.

(a) Beginning in the calendar year 2025 and for each calendar year after that, each member of the Legislature shall receive as basic compensation for his or her services, per calendar year, the amount equal to 75 percent of the per capita income in West Virginia as reported by the US Census Bureau on June 30 of the prior year, rounded down to the nearest $1,000, to be paid as provided in subsection (b) of this section. In addition to the basic compensation, members shall receive the additional compensations as are expressly provided in §4-2A-3, §4-2A-4, and §4-2A-5 of this code. All other increased amounts or new amounts in respect to the compensation of members of the Legislature, set forth in the resolution of the Citizens Legislative Compensation Commission, dated January 23, 2023, and implemented in this section, and §4-2A-4, §4-2A-6, and §4-2A-8 of this code providing for new amounts or amounts increased to new amounts greater than those in force and effect on January 1, 2023, become effective for calendar year 2025 and each calendar year after that: Provided, That increased amounts or new amounts in respect to the expenses of members of the Legislature, set forth in said resolution, and implemented in §4-2A-6, and §4-2A-8 of this code providing for new amounts or amounts increased to new amounts greater than those in force and effect on January 1, 2023, become effective for calendar year 2025 and each calendar year after that.

(b) The basic compensation is payable as follows:

(1) In the year 2025, and every fourth year after that:

(A) Six thousand dollars in each of February, March, and April, payable at least twice per month; and

(B) The remainder of the amount allowed by subsection (a) of this section split equally in each of January, May, June, July, August, September, October, and November, payable at least twice per month;

(2) Beginning in 2026, in all years except those described in subdivision (1) of this subsection:

(A) Six thousand dollars in each of January, February and March, payable at least twice per month; and

(B) The remainder of the amount allowed by subsection (a) of this section split equally in each of April, May, June, July, August, September, October, and November, payable at least twice per month.

(c) In the event of the death, resignation, or removal of a member of the Legislature and the appointment and qualification of his or her successor, the compensation provided in this section for the month in which the death, resignation, or removal of the member of the Legislature occurs shall be prorated between the original member and his or her successor on the basis of the number of days served, including Saturdays and Sundays in the month.