WEST VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE

2022 REGULAR SESSION

Introduced

House Bill 4319

By Delegates Haynes, Dean, Wamsley, Riley, Mallow, Zatezalo, Hardy, Toney, Holstein, Booth, and Kessinger

[Introduced January 21, 2022; Referred to the Committee on Political Subdivisions then Government Organization]

A BILL amending the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §7-7-6f; and to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated §15-5-31, all relating to requiring county assessors to identify defective and dilapidated properties for subsequent enforcement proceedings; declaring responsibilities of county assessors and staff; requiring training of assessment personnel in county assessor offices; and specifying that appropriate training is to be provided by or through the Division of Emergency Management.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:

CHAPTER 7. COUNTY COMMISSIONS AND OFFICERS.

ARTICLE 7. COMPENSATION OF ELECTED COUNTY OFFICIALS.

§7-7-6f. Assessor’s duty to identify dilapidated, unsafe, or defective properties; training of staff.

(a) As part of the county assessor’s assessment of properties within the county, the assessor shall make note of, and identify, every property that is in an obviously dilapidated, unsafe, or defective condition that renders it unfit for the intended use of the property or the structures upon it. The assessor shall annually report all properties so identified to the county enforcement agency established under §7-1-3ff of this code for inspection by that agency and appropriate legal action under that code section.

(b) Employees of county assessors, who are responsible for conducting field assessments of property, shall attend and complete a program of training, organized and provided through the Division of Emergency Management, for identification of conditions, and evidence of conditions, that render a property dilapidated, unsafe, or defective.

CHAPTER 15. PUBLIC SAFETY.

ARTICLE 5. DIVISION OF HOMELAND SECURITY AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT.

§15-5-31. Training for state and county personnel.

The director shall provide for workshops, training programs, and other educational programs, apart from or in cooperation with other governmental agencies, necessary to ensure adequate standards of public service in preparation for, and response to, hazards, emergency situations, and other needs for the safety and security of the public.

NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to require county assessors to identify defective and dilapidated properties for appropriate legal action by county enforcement agencies and to provide for training of assessor personnel.

Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from a heading or the present law and underscoring indicates new language that would be added.