SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 53

(By Senators Bowman, Bailey, Barnes, Boley, Foster, Jenkins, Kessler, Minard, Plymale, Stollings, Sypolt, White and Yoder)

[Originating in the Committee on Government Organization]


Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study ways to allocate and distribute public funds to convention and visitors bureaus, hotels and regional travel councils operating in this state, for purposes of promoting conventions, recreation and tourism, in as efficient and effective method as possible to maximize the use of such funds.

Whereas, To advance the business prosperity and economic welfare of this state, it is necessary to enhance recreational and tourism opportunities; and
Whereas, In order to promote recreation and tourism public financial support should be provided to construct, equip, improve and maintain projects, agencies and facilities that promote recreation and tourism; and
Whereas, The support of convention and visitors bureaus and hotels is a public purpose for which funds may be expended; and
Whereas, The Legislature wants to insure that public funds received by convention and visitors bureaus, hotels and travel councils used to enhance recreational and tourism opportunities in the state are allocated and distributed and utilized as efficiently and effectively as possible; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to study ways to allocate and distribute public funds to convention and visitors bureaus, hotels and regional travel councils operating in this state, for purposes of promoting conventions, recreation and tourism, in as efficient and effective method as possible to maximize the use of such funds; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2009, 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.