H. B. 4095
(By Delegates Fleischauer, Doyle, Guthrie,
Talbott, Barker, Miley, Brown, Moore,
Manchin, Longstreth and Fragale)
[Introduced January 21, 2008; referred to the
Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources then
Government Organization.]
A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by
adding thereto a new article, designated §22-5B-1, §22-5B-2
and §22-5B-3, all relating to creating a commission to study
the impact of global warming on the State of West Virginia.
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 article, designated §22-5B-1, §22-5B-2 and
§22-5B-3, all to read as follows:
ARTICLE 5B. GLOBAL WARMING ASSESSMENT COMMISSION.
§22-5B-1. Findings and purpose.
(a) The Legislature finds that:
(1) Over the past fifty years, global temperatures have
increased at the fastest rate in recorded history. It is well
accepted by scientists that human activities are responsible for
this global warming.
(2) Global warming causes damage of many kinds: wildfires, droughts, flooding and more destructive hurricanes.
(3) If unchecked, global warming will create or worsen natural
disasters within the state.
(4) It is only prudent for the state to study and create a
plan to mitigate negative effects of climate change, address
economic impacts, help save lives, protect public health, preserve
natural resources and protect valuable infrastructure.
(b) This law is enacted to study the impact of global warming
on the health, safety and welfare of state residents.
(c) This article shall take effect on the first day of July
two thousand eight.
§22-5B-2. Study to assess the impact of global warming.
(a) There is established a West Virginia Global Warming Impact
Assessment Commission.
(b) The commission shall consist of eleven members as follows:
(1) Two senators appointed by the President of the Senate.
(2) Two delegates appointed by the Speaker of the House of
Delegates.
(3) Seven public members appointed jointly by the President of
the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives
including at least one member with expertise in climatology, one
member who is knowledgeable about West Virginia's economy, one
member who is knowledgeable in the area of land management or
maintenance of natural resources, and one member who represents tourism industries.
(c) The public members of the commission may receive
compensation for per diem or reimbursement for travel or other
expenses incurred in serving on the commission.
(d) The Senate committee on Natural Resources and the House
committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources shall assign
committee staff to provide support for the commission.
(e) As a part of its study, the commission shall conduct a
series of hearings around the state.
§22-5B-3. Nature of the study and report date.
(a) The study shall include:
(1) An assessment of the current and potential effects of
global warming trends on the citizens, natural resources, public
health and economy of the state;
(2) An estimate of the costs to the state and its citizens of
adverse effects associated with global warming;
(3) An examination of measures that might prevent or mitigate
the effects of flooding, erosion, drought or wildfires that might
be caused or worsened by global warming; and
(4) Recommendations for laws and regulations that may be
warranted to minimize the adverse impacts of global warming.
(b) The commission shall report the results of this study,
including any legislative proposals to the Governor and the
Legislature on or before the first day of January, two thousand nine.
NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to create a commission to
study the effects of global warming in West Virginia.
Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from
the present law, and underscoring indicates new language that would
be added.