HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 38
(Originating in the House Committee on
Agriculture and Natural Resources)
(By Delegates Beach, Anderson, Everson, Henderson,
Nichols and Williams)
Requesting the appointment of a special joint committee to
conduct an interim study relating to the promotion of West
Virginia agricultural industries through farmers markets.
Whereas, Under the provisions of section two, article two,
chapter nineteen of the code of West Virginia, one thousand nine
hundred thirty-one, as amended, the Commissioner of Agriculture is
authorized to promote, regulate, coordinate, establish and conduct
a system of marketing agricultural products in the State of West
Virginia; and
Whereas, Pursuant to that authority, the commissioner has
operated two farmers' markets, in Charleston and Inwood, that serve
as direct marketing outlets for producers; and
Whereas, New marketing activities in progress include the
development of the Capitol Market, an indoor farmers market in
downtown Charleston featuring year-round shops promoting primarily
West Virginia products; and
Whereas, House Bill 2499, which would restrict offerings at
farmers markets subsidized by state appropriations to merchandise
certified as "made in West Virginia," was introduced during the
1995 regular session of the Legislature; and
Whereas, A public hearing on the proposed amendments was heldon Tuesday, February twenty-eighth, at which many persons testified
on this issue; and
Whereas,Although most of those testifying opposed the
restriction on sales, there were numerous and varied
recommendations offered for improving the markets; and
Whereas, Investigation into this matter, including the
experience of the Department of Agriculture, 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 matter of promoting West Virginia
agriculture through farmers markets and other marketing
opportunities; 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 promotion of West Virginia agricultural industries
through farmers markets; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the special joint committee be
comprised of the chairman and three other members of the Senate
Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, to be appointed by the
President of the Senate, and the chairman and three other members
of the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, to be
appointed by the Speaker of the House; 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 testimonyat 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.