Introduced Version
House Bill 2562 History
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Key: Green = existing Code. Red = new code to be enacted
H. B. 2562
(By Delegate Gearheart)
[Introduced February 20, 2013; referred to the
Committee on Roads and Transportation then Finance.]
A BILL to amend and reenact §17-16A-1 of the Code of West Virginia,
1931, as amended, relating to prohibiting the West Virginia
Parkways Authority to borrow funds effective May 1, 2013;
requiring all duties, powers, functions, assets and
liabilities of the Parkways Authority be transferred to the
Division of Highways effective February 1, 2020; requiring all
equipment and employees used for construction and maintenance
activities by the Parkways Authority be transferred to the
Division of Highways effective February 1, 2020; and
prohibiting the collection of tolls effective February 1,
2020.
Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That §17-16A-1 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended,
be amended and reenacted to read as follows:
ARTICLE 16A. WEST VIRGINIA PARKWAYS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND TOURISM AUTHORITY.
§17-16A-1. Constructing, operating, financing, etc., parkway,
economic development and tourism projects;
borrowing of funds prohibited; transfer of
authority, assets and personnel on February 1,
2020; collection of tolls to cease on February 1,
2020.
(a) In order to remove the present handicaps and hazards on
the congested highways and roads in the State of West Virginia, to
facilitate vehicular traffic throughout the state, to promote and
enhance the tourism industry and to develop and improve tourist
facilities and attractions in the state, to promote the
agricultural, economic and industrial development of the state and
to provide for the construction of modern express highways,
including center divisions, ample shoulder widths, longsight
distances, the bypassing of cities, multiple lanes in each
direction and grade separations at all intersections with other
highways and railroads, to provide for the development,
construction, improvement and enhancement of state parks, tourist
facilities and attractions and to provide for the improvement and
enhancement of state parks presently existing, the West Virginia
Parkways, Economic Development and Tourism Authority (hereinafter
created) is hereby authorized and empowered to construct, reconstruct, improve, maintain, repair and operate parkway
projects, economic development projects and tourism projects (as
those terms are hereinafter defined in section five of this
article) at such locations as shall be approved by the State
Department of Transportation.
_______________(b) Beginning May 1, 2013, the West Virginia Parkways
Authority may not borrow funds secured by any asset for any reason.
_______________(c) Beginning February 1, 2020, all duties, powers and
functions of the West Virginia Parkways Authority are transferred
to the West Virginia Division of Highways. All personnel and
equipment used and designated for the West Virginia Parkways
Authority for construction or maintenance activities involving or
related to the West Virginia Turnpike or any other tolled highways
operated under its authority are, in accordance with the transfer
of duties, powers and functions pursuant to this section, placed
under the authority and direction of the Division of Highways. All
assets and liabilities of the West Virginia Parkways Authority are
also transferred to the West Virginia Division of Highways at that
time.
_______________(d) Beginning February 1, 2020 no toll may be charged to enter
or exit those areas of Interstates 64 and 77 commonly referred to
as the West Virginia Turnpike.
NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to prohibit the West
Virginia Parkways Authority to borrow funds effective May 1, 2013.
The bill requires all duties, powers, functions, assets and
liabilities of the West Virginia Parkways Authority be transferred
to the West Virginia Division of Highways effective February 1,
2020. The bill requires all equipment and employees used for
construction and maintenance activities by the West Virginia
Parkways Authority be transferred to the West Virginia Division of
Highways effective February 1, 2020. The bill prohibits the
collection of tolls effective February 1, 2020.
Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from
the present law, and underscoring indicates new language that would
be added.