SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 64

(By Senators Cole (Mr. President), Carmichael, Trump and Cline)

[Introduced March 7, 2016]

Requesting the West Virginia Division of Highways to study the 2015 West Virginia Division of Highways Performance Audit commissioned by the West Virginia Legislature and to report back to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance as to any and all actions taken by the Division of Highways in accordance with the performance audit.

Whereas, In 2015, the West Virginia Legislature passed H.B. 2008, which provided for an independent performance audit of the Division of Highways; and

Whereas, The Joint Committee on Government and Finance commissioned the accounting firm of Deloitte & Touche, LLP, to conduct a performance audit on the Division of Highways for fiscal years 2013, 2014 and 2015 in accordance with the provisions of W.Va. Code § 17-2A-6a; and

Whereas, Deloitte & Touche, LLP, presented to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance, during the January 2016 Interim Committee Meetings, the Performance Audit Final Report; and

Whereas, The 2015 West Virginia Division of Highways Performance Audit identifies efficiencies that have the potential to save the Division of Highways up to $25 to $50 million annually; and

Whereas, The 2015 West Virginia Division of Highways Performance Audit identifies a number of efficiencies that are more appropriately implemented by the Division of Highways, rather than through the passage of legislation; and

Whereas, It is the belief of the West Virginia Legislature that fixing the state’s deteriorating roads is of the utmost importance; and

Whereas, It is the belief of the West Virginia Legislature that the recommendations of the 2015 West Virginia Division of Highways Performance Audit should be implemented by the Division of Highways as best as possible; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Legislature requests the West Virginia Division of Highways to study the 2015 West Virginia Division of Highways Performance Audit commissioned by the West Virginia Legislature and to report back to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance as to any and all actions taken by the Division of Highways in accordance with the performance audit; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Division of Highways shall report to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance, prior to the 2017 regular session of the Legislature, as to any recommended efficiencies that have been implemented by the Division; and, be it 

Further Resolved, That the Division of Highways shall report to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance, prior to the 2017 regular session of the Legislature, as to any recommended efficiencies that the Division believes it can and will be implementing in the future; and, be it 

Further Resolved, That the Division of Highways shall report to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance, prior to the 2017 regular session of the Legislature, as to any recommended efficiencies that the Division cannot implement without further legislative action; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the 2017 regular session of the Legislature on the findings of the review performed by the Division of Highways with drafts of any legislation necessary to effectuate the recommendations of the  2015 West Virginia Division of Highways Performance Audit.