SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 46

(By Senator Yost)

[Originating in the Committee on Labor]

Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to study the procurement of services and goods by West Virginia agencies and departments to determine ways in which the procurement of such services and goods from the United States, and West Virginia in particular, may be encouraged.

    Whereas, Goods are increasingly manufactured outside of the United States; and

    Whereas, Services are increasingly performed outside of the United States; and

    Whereas, The oversight over goods manufactured and services performed outside of West Virginia and outside the United States is limited and restricts the ability of West Virginia to protect its citizens; and

    Whereas, The procurement of goods manufactured in the United States, and West Virginia in particular, and of services performed in the United States, and West Virginia in particular, would benefit West Virginia by allowing increased oversight over such goods and services and by providing employment opportunities to West Virginians; and

    Whereas, West Virginia should promote the purchase of and give preference to goods manufactured in the United States and in West Virginia in particular; and

    Whereas, West Virginia should promote the purchase of and give preference to services performed in the United States and in West Virginia in particular; and

    Whereas, Such promotion and preference should be in the best interest of West Virginia, including as to the availability, quality and cost of such goods and services; therefore, be it

    Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

    That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is requested to study the procurement of services and goods by West Virginia agencies and departments to determine ways in which the procurement of such services and goods from the United States, and West Virginia in particular, may be encouraged; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to study the extent to which current West Virginia contracts, and any subcontracts thereunder, are being completed with goods manufactured outside of West Virginia and outside of the United States or are being performed outside of West Virginia and outside of the United States; the extent to which the procurement of such foreign goods or services causes the loss of employment opportunities in West Virginia; the extent to which the export of West Virginia goods and services benefits West Virginia; the extent to which the procurement of services performed outside of the United States may involve the risk of unauthorized use or disclosure of personal information or proprietary information; the applicability of international trade agreements, treaties and federal law to West Virginia procurement policies; and the ways in which the procurement of services performed in and goods manufactured in the United States, and in West Virginia in particular, may be encouraged; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature in 2012 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.