S GOV SCR ORG1

SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 82

(By Senators Snyder, Miller, Blair, Cann, Cookman, Fitzsimmons, Green, Jenkins, Kirkendoll, Stollings, Sypolt, Williams and Yost)

[Originating in the Committee on Government Organization]

Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study restructuring or realigning the Division of Corrections, Regional Jail and Correctional Facility Authority, Board of Probation and Parole and the Division of Justice and Community Services under the Department of Military Affairs and Public Safety.

    Whereas, The Legislature desires to continuously find ways to improve and reform the criminal justice system that would enhance public safety and optimize state services; and

    Whereas, The Legislature is faced with the difficult and critical task of balancing the state’s budget with limited resources, and further recognizes that the state’s county officials are facing similar difficulties on the local level; and

    Whereas, Realigning these existing agencies into a bureau under the Department of Military Affairs and Public Safety may eliminate any overlap in similar services, such as programming, training, medical and food service, file sharing and data collection, that are currently provided by each agency, respectively; and

    Whereas, Restructuring these agencies under the Department of Military Affairs and Public Safety may allow savings by increasing the efficiency of the agencies and eliminating any service overlap; therefore, be it

    Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

    That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to study restructuring or realigning the Division of Corrections, Regional Jail and Correctional Facility Authority, Board of Probation and Parole and the Division of Justice and Community Services under the Department of Military Affairs and Public Safety; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the Legislative Oversight Committee on the Regional Jail and Correctional Facility Authority be authorized to conduct this study; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2015, 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.