West Virginia lawmakers developing new rules for the Marcellus shale field would change the way the state hires gas well inspectors.

A House-Senate committee overseeing the Marcellus issue amended its draft proposal Monday September 12, 2011 to abolish the state's Oil and Gas Inspectors' Examining Board.

The board decides who is qualified to be an inspector. The amendment would hand its duties over to the state Division of Personnel. Legislative auditors say the division already handles them for other inspectors. The board has also been short a member for several years.

Other amendments adopted Monday address public notice and comment when operators apply to drill a Marcellus well.

The committee hopes to draft a bill capable of passage during a special session this year. But Monday's meeting also reflected differences among interest groups.