HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 85

(By Delegate Maynard and Hanshaw (Mr. Speaker))

[Introduced February 27, 2019]

Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study the feasibility of combining the volunteer fire departments in our state under a single policy for workers’ compensation coverage, self-insuring workers’ compensation coverage for volunteer fire departments, or other workers’ compensation coverage options.

Whereas, There appears to be a will and desire among the volunteer and part-volunteer fire departments of the state to form a self-insurance structure; and

Whereas, There also appears to be a revenue source available to fund such a program through a possible increase of the insurance surtax percentage of 0.45 percent pursuant to §33‑3‑33 of the Code of West Virginia; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to study the feasibility of combining the volunteer fire departments in our state under a single policy for workers’ compensation coverage, self-insuring workers’ compensation coverage for volunteer fire departments, or other workers’ compensation coverage options; and be it

Further Resolved, That in conducting the study, the Committee include an evaluation of the benefit, necessity, and feasibility of expanding the current scope of workers’ compensation coverage for volunteers, including, but not limited to, presumptions for cardiovascular or pulmonary disease, occupational pneumoconiosis, or other occupational disease, as well as a comparison of those proposals to other means of supplementing workers’ compensation insurance through secondary insurance policies; and be it

Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2020, 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.