WEST VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE

2023 REGULAR SESSION

Introduced

House Bill 3111

By Delegates Linville, Cannon, Hanshaw (Mr. Speaker), Phillips, Hardy, Summers, and Keaton

[Introduced January 27, 2023; Referred to the Committee on Political Subdivisions then Technology and Infrastructure]

A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia,1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section article, designated §5B-2N-1 and §5B-2N-2, relating to establishing Infrastructure Ready Jurisdictions; establishing the requirement for this designation; establishing rulemaking for these Infrastructure Ready Jurisdictions for the Office of Economic Development; and awarding an additional five percent preferential scoring for these jurisdictions on all permissible grants.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:

ARTICLE 2N. INFRASTRUCTURE READY JURISDCITIONS.

§5B-2N-1. Process.

(a) Any political subdivision of this state which refrains from enacting any permitting requirements other than those contained in this Code may apply to the Office of Economic Development for a designation as an Infrastructure Ready Jurisdiction.

(b) The Office of Economic Development is hereby authorized to promulgate rules governing the process for certification as an Infrastructure Ready Jurisdiction.

§5B-2N-2. Benefits.

Any political subdivision of this state which is certified as an Infrastructure Ready Jurisdiction shall receive 5 percent preferential scoring on all grants permitted by or mandated by any provision of this Code or by any portion of the Code of State Regulations, unless such preferential scoring is explicitly forbidden by other grant conditions.

NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to establish Infrastructure Ready Jurisdictions; establish rulemaking; and award an additional five percent preferential scoring for these jurisdictions on all permissible grants.

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