S TRAN SCR ORG2 2-25

SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 62

(By Senators Beach, Kirkendoll, Fitzsimmons, Williams, Barnes, Cole and Walters)

[Originating in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure]

Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to study the naming by resolution of roads, bridges and other transportation structures in West Virginia.

    Whereas, The naming of roads, bridges, overpasses, intersections and other transportation structures in West Virginia is a practice frequently utilized by the West Virginia Legislature by concurrent resolution to recognize certain individuals or groups, particularly West Virginia military veterans, by naming such transportation structures in their honor; and

    Whereas, Each year during the 2012 and 2013 regular sessions of the West Virginia Legislature, approximately two hundred fifty concurrent resolutions were introduced, approximately half of which were house concurrent resolutions or senate concurrent resolutions directing the Department of Transportation or the Division of Highways to make and place such naming signs; and

    Whereas, The trend of naming West Virginia transportation structures by resolution continues during this present legislative session; and

    Whereas, It is a worthy undertaking by the West Virginia Legislature to recognize and publicly memorialize those West Virginians who contributed so much to their communities and this state, many of whom made the ultimate sacrifice while defending our country; and

    Whereas, Each naming resolution requires numerous resources: Time to draft, consider, revise if necessary and vote on the proposal and, if adopted by both legislative chambers, costs to manufacture, install and maintain the new naming signs; and

    Whereas, No criteria are currently in place that provide guidance as to which West Virginians should be honored; and

    Whereas, Limitations and requirements as to the content and design of the naming signs do exist, including in West Virginia and federal law, by West Virginia Executive Order and in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices; and

    Whereas, There are many important safety considerations to take into account when choosing proper names, including uniformity and conciseness of the name so as to not distract drivers and so that locations can easily be found in case of emergencies; and

    Whereas, It is important that appropriate naming conventions be outlined and criteria be established for the naming of West Virginia transportation structures so as to assure the proper use of limited resources and the safety of West Virginians; therefore, be it

    Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

    That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to study the naming by resolution of roads, bridges and other transportation structures in West Virginia; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2015, on its findings, conclusions and recommendations, together with drafts of any rules or legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations, including drafts of naming criteria; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this study, to prepare a report and to draft necessary legislation be paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.