WEST virginia Legislature

2016 regular session

Introduced

Senate Bill 317

By Senators Blair, Walters, Boso, Gaunch, Maynard And Snyder
 [Introduced January 19, 2016;
Referred to the Committee on Government Organization; and then to the Committee on Finance.]

A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §5-2-4; and to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated §7-1-3pp, all relating to accessible county records; requiring county clerks to report certain county official information to the Secretary of State annually; requiring county commissions to maintain a website; and requiring Secretary of State to annually update website of county information.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, be amended by adding thereto a new section, designated §5-2-4; and that said code be amended by adding thereto a new section, designated §7-1-3pp, all to read as follows:

 CHAPTER 5.  GENERAL POWERS AND AUTHORITY OF THE GOVERNOR, SECRETARY OF STATE AND ATTORNEY GENERAL; BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS; MISCELLANEOUS AGENCIES, COMMISSIONS, OFFICES, PROGRAMS, ETC.

ARTICLE 2.  SECRETARY OF STATE.

§5-2-4. Accessible County Records; Required Information.

(a) The Secretary of State shall maintain a website with certain county information. The website shall be updated annually.

(b) On or before January 31, 2018, the county officer information website shall be updated by the Secretary of State.

(c) The website shall contain the following minimum information regarding county officials:

(1) The official title and name of each county office holder;

(2) The contact information for each county office holder, including telephone number, facsimile number, office location and mailing address;

(3) The electronic mail address of each elected county office holder; and  

(4) The website of each county commission.

CHAPTER 7.  COUNTY COMMISSIONS AND OFFICERS.

ARTICLE 1.  COUNTY COMMISSIONS GENERALLY.

§7-1-3pp. Accessible County Records; Required Information.

(a) Beginning on or before July 1, 2017, each county commission shall maintain a website that provides the following information:

(1) The title and name of each elected county office holder;

(2) The contact information of each elected county office holder, including office telephone number, facsimile number, office location and mailing address;

(3) The electronic mail address of each elected county office holder.

(4) A copy of each resolution, ordinance or regulation as adopted;

(5) A copy of the meeting minutes; and

(6) A schedule of meetings for each calendar year.

(b) Beginning on or before December 31, 2017, and each year thereafter, each county commission, shall provide to the Secretary of State, the following information:

(1) A list of each elected county official by title, with the name of the elected official;

(2) The office contact information for each county office holder; and

(3) The website address of the county commission website.

NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to provide access to county government information to the public by requiring each county to maintain a website and by requiring each county clerk to provide information the Secretary of State, who shall also maintain and update county contact information on the Internet.

This bill is recommended by the Joint Standing Committee on Government Organization and the Joint Committee on Government Operations for introduction and passage during the 2016 Regular Session.

Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from a heading or the present law, and underscoring indicates new language that would be added.