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Introduced Version House Bill 4095 History

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Key: Green = existing Code. Red = new code to be enacted
H. B. 4095


(By Delegates Fleischauer, Doyle, Guthrie,
Talbott, Barker, Miley, Brown, Moore,
Manchin, Longstreth and Fragale)
[Introduced January 21, 2008; referred to the
Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources then Government Organization.]


A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new article, designated §22-5B-1, §22-5B-2 and §22-5B-3, all relating to creating a commission to study the impact of global warming on the State of West Virginia.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, be amended by adding thereto a new article, designated §22-5B-1, §22-5B-2 and §22-5B-3, all to read as follows:
ARTICLE 5B. GLOBAL WARMING ASSESSMENT COMMISSION.
§22-5B-1. Findings and purpose.

(a) The Legislature finds that:
(1) Over the past fifty years, global temperatures have increased at the fastest rate in recorded history. It is well accepted by scientists that human activities are responsible for this global warming.
(2) Global warming causes damage of many kinds: wildfires, droughts, flooding and more destructive hurricanes.
(3) If unchecked, global warming will create or worsen natural disasters within the state.
(4) It is only prudent for the state to study and create a plan to mitigate negative effects of climate change, address economic impacts, help save lives, protect public health, preserve natural resources and protect valuable infrastructure.
(b) This law is enacted to study the impact of global warming on the health, safety and welfare of state residents.
(c) This article shall take effect on the first day of July two thousand eight.
§22-5B-2. Study to assess the impact of global warming.
(a) There is established a West Virginia Global Warming Impact Assessment Commission.
(b) The commission shall consist of eleven members as follows:
(1) Two senators appointed by the President of the Senate.
(2) Two delegates appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates.
(3) Seven public members appointed jointly by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives including at least one member with expertise in climatology, one member who is knowledgeable about West Virginia's economy, one member who is knowledgeable in the area of land management or maintenance of natural resources, and one member who represents tourism industries.
(c) The public members of the commission may receive compensation for per diem or reimbursement for travel or other expenses incurred in serving on the commission.
(d) The Senate committee on Natural Resources and the House committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources shall assign committee staff to provide support for the commission.
(e) As a part of its study, the commission shall conduct a series of hearings around the state.
§22-5B-3. Nature of the study and report date.
(a) The study shall include:
(1) An assessment of the current and potential effects of global warming trends on the citizens, natural resources, public health and economy of the state;
(2) An estimate of the costs to the state and its citizens of adverse effects associated with global warming;
(3) An examination of measures that might prevent or mitigate the effects of flooding, erosion, drought or wildfires that might be caused or worsened by global warming; and
(4) Recommendations for laws and regulations that may be warranted to minimize the adverse impacts of global warming.
(b) The commission shall report the results of this study, including any legislative proposals to the Governor and the Legislature on or before the first day of January, two thousand nine.



NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to create a commission to study the effects of global warming in West Virginia.

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