SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 77

(By Senators Stollings, Caputo, and Baldwin)

[Introduced April 9, 2021]

Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to study the fiscal impact of elimination or reduction of current tangible property tax, including commercial machinery and equipment, business inventory and tangible personal property, and corresponding revenue replacement mechanisms to mitigate the budgetary effects on political subdivisions including county and municipal governments, county school boards, and levying bodies.

Whereas, Property taxes provide substantial revenues necessary to finance the provisions of local government services and substantive modifications to the current property taxation may significantly impact delivery of such; and

Whereas, Elimination or reduction of property taxes will have a disparate effect on political subdivisions across this state; and

Whereas, Revenue replacement mechanisms will also have a disparate effect in mitigating potential losses resulting from the elimination or reduction of property taxes; and

Whereas, Participation by all impacted political subdivisions and levying bodies is tantamount to ensuring sustainable delivery of public services to the citizenry; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to study the fiscal impact of elimination or reduction of current tangible property tax, including commercial machinery and equipment, business inventory and tangible personal property, and corresponding revenue replacement mechanisms to mitigate the budgetary effects on political subdivisions including county and municipal governments, county school boards and levying bodies; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2022, on its findings, conclusions, and recommendations, together with drafts of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations; 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.