SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 42

(By Senators Mitchell, Hunter, Rowe, Burnette, Oliverio, Wooton, Caldwell, Fanning, Redd, Ross, Rowe, Snyder, Deem and Facemyer)


[Originating in the Committee on the Judiciary; reported February 28, 2002.]


Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance conduct an interim study on proposed legislation to enact the West Virginia Clean Elections Act.

Whereas, Congress and many state legislatures are reviewing current campaign finance laws in an effort to encourage more citizens to participate in the political process both as voters and candidates; and
Whereas, Current campaign finance laws often result in elected officials spending a great amount of time raising funds and the costs of political campaigns is often exorbitant; and
Whereas, The creation of a clean elections system and the revision of campaign finance laws may encourage more citizens to participate in the political process; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to conduct an interim study of campaign finance laws and, in particular, consider whether the West Virginia Clean Elections Act should be enacted by the Legislature; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2003, 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.