HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 69



(By Delegates H. White, Azinger, Beach, Canterbury, Frich, Foster, Hamilton, Hatfield, Hartman, Hrutkay, Iaquinta, Perdue, Pino, Spencer, R. M. Thompson, Walters and G. White)


(Originating in the Committee on Banking and Insurance)

[February 28, 2003]


Requesting the Joint Committee on Government Finance to conduct a study of the availability and affordability of commercial, property and casualty insurance.

Whereas, The affordability and availability of commercial, property and casualty insurance is a concern for businesses and citizens in West Virginia; and
Whereas, Access to affordable insurance is crucial to the economic viability of West Virginia's economy; and
Whereas, Businesses in the state have been experiencing difficulty in obtaining and maintaining insurance coverage; and
Whereas, If present trends continue in West Virginia that there may be a commercial, property and casualty insurance crisis; and
Whereas, A study of the impact of economic forces and regulation upon these lines of insurance is important to maintaining a stable insurance market in West Virginia and ensuring the continued availability of these lines of coverage; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby directed to conduct a study of the availability and affordability of commercial, property and casualty insurance in West Virginia; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report its findings and recommendations resulting from the study to the regular session of Legislature, 2004, together with drafts of any proposed legislation necessary to effectuate such 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.