HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 51
(By Delegate Skaff)
Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study pay
rates between mine inspectors, mine safety instructors,
electrical inspectors and others employed by the West Virginia
Office of Miners' Health, Safety and Training, as well as the
West Virginia Division of Mining and Reclamation, and those of
similar regulatory programs in other states and the federal
government.
Whereas, The various employees of the West Virginia Office of
Miners' Health, Safety and Training, as well as environmental
inspectors employed by the West Virginia Department of
Environmental Protection in the Division of Mining and Reclamation,
perform functions that are important to ensure the safety of those
who work in the mineral extraction industry within West Virginia;
and
Whereas, The Division of Mining and Reclamation also performs
critical inspections that are necessary to ensure protection of
West Virginia's natural environment; and
Whereas, It is in the best interest of the State of West
Virginia to ensure that all employees of the West Virginia Office
of Miners' Health, Safety and Training and the Division of Mining and Reclamation are properly compensated in the execution of their
duties at rates comparable to those with similar positions in other
states and with the federal government; and
Whereas, High employee turnover rates that may occur within the
West Virginia Office of Miners' Health, Safety and Training and the
Division of Mining and Reclamation due to any disparity of pay
rates with similar employee positions in other states and with the
federal government may result in a regulatory staff within the West
Virginia Office of Miners' Health, Safety and Training and the
Division of Mining and Reclamation that is inexperienced; and
Whereas, Replacing many of these employees could be extremely
difficult with high turnover and the inability to attract
qualified, experienced personnel to the agencies; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby
requested to study pay rates between mine inspectors, mine safety
instructors, electrical inspectors and others employed by the West
Virginia Office of Miners' Health, Safety and Training, as well as
those employed by the Division of Mining and Reclamation, to those
of similar regulatory programs in other states and the federal
government; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and
Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2010, 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.