HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 36
(By Delegates Love, Thompson, Fragale, Burke, Osborne, Ball,
Everson, Nichols, Williams and Henderson)
(Originating in the House Committee on
Agriculture and Natural Resources)
[February 28, 1995]
Requesting the appointment of a special joint committee to
conduct an interim study relating to the proposing of an
archery and shotgun only spring turkey hunting season in West
Virginia.
Whereas, Chapter twenty of the West Virginia code was enacted
by the Legislature to provide a comprehensive program for the
exploration, development, protection, enjoyment and use of the
natural resources of the State, including wild turkeys; and
Whereas, Under the provisions of section seven, article one,
chapter twenty of the code of West Virginia, one thousand nine
hundred thirty-one, as amended, the Director of the Division of
Natural Resources is authorized to promulgate legislative rules to
implement the provisions of that chapter; and
Whereas, Pursuant to that authority, the director has
promulgated such rules with regard to wild turkey hunting in series
eleven-f, chapter fifty-eight of the Code of State Regulations and
has amended such rules from time to time; and
Whereas, On October fourteenth, one thousand nine hundred
ninety-four, the director filed with the Secretary of State
amendments to the wild turkey hunting regulations which wouldpermit the use of only a bow or a shotgun with lead shot size no
greater than number four or steel shot size no greater than number
two during the spring wild turkey season; and
Whereas, These amendments were incorporated by reference into
House Bill 2184 and Senate Bill 115, each of which was referred to
the Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources and second
referenced to the Committee on the Judiciary in the respective
houses during the 1995 regular session of the Legislature; and
Whereas, These two committees jointly held a public hearing on
the proposed amendments on Thursday, February ninth, at which many
persons testified either in support of or opposition to these
amendments; and
Whereas, Investigation into this matter, including the research
published by the Division of Natural Resources, testimony presented
at the public hearing, written and other communications from
individuals and interested organizations, reveals a need for an
interim study relating to the institution of an archery and shotgun
only spring turkey hunting season in West Virginia and relating to
the need for changes to existing regulations to accomplish this
end; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House
create a special joint committee to conduct an interim study
relating to the proposing of an archery and shotgun only spring
turkey hunting season in West Virginia; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the special joint committee be
comprised of the chairman and three other members of the SenateAgriculture and Natural Resources Committee, to be appointed by the
President of the Senate; the chairman and three other members of
the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, to be
appointed by the Speaker of the House; the Director of the Division
of Natural Resources or his designee; a representative from the
West Virginia Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation; and
a representative of the West Virginia Muzzle-loading Association;
and, be it
Further Resolved, That the special joint committee be
authorized to conduct public hearings at one or more places
throughout the State for the purpose of receiving public comment on
the issues under consideration and be authorized to take testimony
at any such hearing; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the special joint committee report to
the regular session of the Legislature, 1996, on its findings,
conclusions and recommendations, and to include with its report
drafts of any proposed legislation or regulations 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 any proposed legislation be
paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on
Government and Finance.