SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 23
(By Senators Wagner, Scott and Buckalew)
Requesting the joint committee on government and finance to make
a study of the West Virginia parkways, economic development
and tourism authority.
Whereas, Changes in the system and organization of the West
Virginia parkways, economic development and tourism authority and
in the powers granted to West Virginia parkways, economic
development and tourism authority may increase efficiency and
maintain or improve existing services; and
Whereas, Changes in the administration and operations of
West Virginia parkways, economic development and tourism
authority may allow the various regions of the state to better
address their different local and regional needs by permitting
West Virginia development office and division of tourism to use
a wider range of resources with greater flexibility in their
efforts to formulate local and regional approaches for the
encouragement of economic development and the provision of
services to residents and visitors; and
Whereas, Before any change in budgetary authority and control can fairly be considered, there must first be an analysis
of the West Virginia parkways, economic development and tourism
authority's efficiency, fairness and stability, its impact on the
state and the balance between quality services and the level of
revenue; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the joint committee on government and finance is hereby
requested to create an intergovernmental study commission named
the parkways study commission; and, be it
Further Resolved, That such commission shall consist of
twenty-two members; five members to be appointed by the president
of the Senate, not more than two members so appointed to be
members of the Senate, and three members to be representative,
private citizens; five members to be appointed by the speaker of
the House of Delegates, with not more than two members so
appointed to be members of the House of Delegates, and three
members to be representative, private citizens; and six members
to be appointed by the governor. The representative, private
citizen members should include persons with background, knowledge
or experience in economic development, tourism, current
conditions of business and industry, labor, commerce or other
activities fundamental to the business environment; and other persons found eligible by the appointing authority because of
sound judgment and deep interest may be appointed as
representative citizens; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the commission shall also consist of
six members representing local governments, all of whom shall
represent the interests of counties adjoining the parkway, to
wit: The governor, Senate and House of Delegates will each
appoint two representatives from these county governments; and,
be it
Further Resolved, That the commission is hereby requested to
review, examine and study the present structure of West Virginia
parkways, economic development and tourism authority and make
recommendations on how it may be improved or amended to increase
efficiency and maintain existing service; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the commission shall elect one of its
members as chairman, one as vice chairman and other officers as
it deems appropriate. Vacancies on the commission shall be
promptly filled by the original appointing authority; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the commission may employ such
professional, clerical and technical assistants as it deems
necessary in order to perform its duties, and may request
information from any state, county or municipal officer or agencies in order to assist the performance of its duties; and,
be it
Further Resolved, That the commission shall meet in
Charleston or elsewhere as it may deem necessary or appropriate,
and it shall convene at least quarterly and at such other times
as its duties may require. The first meeting shall be called
jointly by the president of the Senate and the speaker of the
House of Delegates, one of whom shall preside temporarily and
until a chairman is elected; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the interim findings of the
intergovernmental study commission shall be reported to the
Legislature at the interim sessions of the Legislature, one
thousand nine hundred ninety-six, with respect to progress of
activities, programs and plans of the commission toward the
development of recommendations; and a final report of the
commission shall be submitted to the regular session of the
Legislature, 1997, unless the existence of the intergovernmental
study commission is continued by resolution or other action of
the joint committee on government and finance; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct the
commission's study and to prepare appropriate reports,
recommendations and proposed legislation be paid from the legislative appropriations to the joint committee on government
and finance.