HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 119

(By Delegate Westfall)

(Introduced March 10, 2018;

Referred to the Committee on Rules)

Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to conduct a study

of procurement in agencies that have been statutorily exempted from oversight by the

Purchasing Division.

            Whereas, The West Virginia Department of Administration, Purchasing Division was established to function as a central procurement authority in the State of West Virginia; and

            Whereas, Basic economic and business principles hold that larger quantity purchases lead to lower pricing and higher discounts that save the State of West Virginia money; and

            Whereas, Currently more than 40 agencies have been granted full and partial exemptions from oversight by the Purchasing Division; and

            Whereas, The various exemptions lead to vendor confusion and reduced competition as vendors must navigate the 40 agencies’ different procurement processes, if any exist; and

            Whereas, The lack of guidance or a centralized repository for procurement processes of these exempted agencies decreases transparency in how tax dollars are spent; therefore be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia

            That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to conduct a study on the procurement processes of exempted agencies from the Purchasing Division, and be it

Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2019, on its findings, conclusions and recommendations together with any drafts of 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.