SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 38

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[Originating in the Committee on the Judiciary;

reported February 26, 2003.]

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Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study the annexation laws of the State of West Virginia and of the various states to develop innovative annexation alternatives to provide municipalities with the means to create more effective and efficient governmental entities in this state.

Whereas, The current annexation laws in West Virginia are cumbersome and offer too few creative options to enable cities to enter into annexation agreements with adjacent urban areas; and
Whereas, There are many aspects of annexation which would benefit those adjacent urban areas, such as improved police and fire protection and other similar services; and
Whereas, Many such adjacent urban areas would more readily enter into annexation agreements if there were creative alternatives available which would allow those adjacent urban areas to retain some aspects of their self-identity, such as retaining the community's name and limited self-government; and
Whereas, Other states have successfully addressed the issue of annexation by enacting laws which provide many of the aforementioned creative annexation options to municipalities; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to study the annexation laws of the State of West Virginia and of the various states to develop innovative annexation alternatives to provide municipalities with the means to create more effective and efficient governmental entities in this state; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2004, 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.