HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 38
(By Delegates Ashley and Stalnaker)
Directing the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to make
a study of the horse industry in West Virginia and to study
the feasibility of establishing a year-round indoor horse
facility in West Virginia.
Whereas, The horse industry in the United States is a serious
and productive business, producing $25.3 billion in direct goods
and services, has a $112.1 billion impact on the United States
economy and generates over 1.4 million jobs nationwide; and
Whereas, West Virginia ranks in the top ten states nationally
in terms of horse ownership; and
Whereas, No comprehensive study or comprehensive compilation
of statistics and data regarding the horse industry in West
Virginia is available in order to effectively analyze the
economic contribution of the horse industry in the state and
there is currently no year-round indoor horse facility in West
Virginia; and
Whereas, The neighboring states of Pennsylvania, Ohio,
Virginia, Kentucky and North Carolina all have publicly or
privately owned year-round indoor horse facilities that currently
draw participation of West Virginia horse owners, and, according
to the West Virginia Horse Council, an estimated $2 billion in
revenue is leaving the state annually because there is no year-round indoor horse facility in the state; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby
directed to review, examine and study the status and economic
impact of the horse industry in this state, the need and
opportunity to further develop the industry in this state
including, but not limited to, the feasibility of establishing a
year-round indoor horse facility in the state, the ways and means
for such development and the kinds of programs and facilities
which are feasible and advisable and to make recommendations to
the Legislature regarding the same; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the said Joint Ccommittee on
Ggovernment and Ffinance report to the regular session of the
Legislature, 1998, 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 Jjoint
Ccommittee on Ggovernment and Ffinance.