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There are at least three bills in the WV Legislature that could bring a little relief to regional jail bills, bills that are mandated to be paid by county governments.
Counties pay jail fees for the state's municipalities.
The House Judiciary Committee has drafted a measure to hire retired or former magistrates for up to six months to handle bail hearings when their elected magistrates are off duty.
Another measure would shift more of the cost to the state Division of Corrections for inmates who are convicted and sentenced.
A third bill asks the state Supreme Court to commission a study of West Virginia's incarceration rates and costs.
Many WV counties claim jail costs are wrecking county budgets.
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