House Concurrent Resolution Number

By Delegate Phillips

Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to study creating a mechanism for more frequent assessment procedures for County Commissions to reevaluate and appraise properties in areas that have been affected by a severe economic downturn.

Whereas, Some regions of the State of West Virginia have been affected by economic downturn, and particularly on our coal mining regions, causing many residents to leave the state in search of jobs; and

Whereas, This exodus has resulted in rapidly falling property values in many abandoned properties in areas that have not been reflected in tax assessments of these properties; and

Whereas, County Commissions currently have no authority to reevaluate and reappraise properties in areas that have been affected by severe economic downturn outside of regularly scheduled reviews; and

Whereas, A lower property tax rate could encourage people to purchase property in this area, boosting the population and spurring future economic development; and

Whereas, Establishing a mechanism to allow more frequent property tax assessment in declining regions of the state would allow greater fairness and more accurate assessments of these properties, and provide tax relief to citizens who remain in their areas; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to study creating a mechanism for more frequent assessment procedures for County Commissions to reevaluate and reappraise properties in areas that have been affected by severe economic downturn; and, be it

Further Resolved, That The Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the Regular Session of the Legislature 2017, 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.