SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 66

(By Senator Clements)

[Originating in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure; reported on April 6, 2021]

Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance and the Legislative Oversight Commission on Department of Transportation Accountability study existing and potential income sources for the State Road Fund.

Whereas, The West Virginia State Road Fund is the primary mechanism for collecting and distributing highway and maintenance funds in West Virginia; and

Whereas, The West Virginia Blue Ribbon Commission on Highways noted in its Final Report in 2015 that State Road Fund revenues have not kept pace with inflation, and traditional highway funding mechanisms are insufficient to maintain current state infrastructure; and

Whereas, The motor fuel excise tax has provided the bulk of transportation revenues for the West Virginia Division of Highways; and

Whereas, Based on recent announcements, including the U.S. President’s January 27, 2021 Executive Order on Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad, which announced the development of a plan to achieve or facilitate clean and zero-emission vehicles for federal, state, local, and Tribal government fleets, the number of alternative fuel vehicles on West Virginia roads will increase, thereby reducing the use of motor fuel and motor fuel excise taxes; and

Whereas, The Federal Highway Administration in July 2017 reported that highway construction costs nationwide grew by an estimated 68 percent over the last 13 years, and that key highway components, as measured by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, like asphalt, concrete, and metal, grew at 107 percent, 61 percent, and 45 percent, respectively between 2003 and 2016; and

Whereas, The National Highway Construction Cost Index has shown further cost increases since 2016, amplifying the need for additional funding for the State Road Fund; and

Whereas, It is imperative that West Virginia’s transportation infrastructure be improved and maintained; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance and the Legislative Oversight Commission on Department of Transportation Accountability are hereby requested to study existing and potential income sources for the State Road Fund; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the Legislature, on the first day of the regular session of the Legislature, 2022, 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.