HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 59
(By Mr. Speaker, Mr Kiss, and Delegates Amores, Anderson, Angotti, Ashley, Azinger, Beach, Beane, Boggs, Border, Brown, Browning, Butcher, Campbell, Cann, Canterbury, Caputo, Carmichael, Coleman, Craig, DeLong, Dempsey, Doyle, Ellem, Ennis, Fahey, Faircloth, Ferrell, Flanigan, Fleischauer, Fletcher, Fox, Fragale, Frederick, Givens, Hall, Hatfield, Evans, Hrutkay, Hubbard, Keener, Kominar, Kuhn, Leach, Leggett, Louisos, Mahan, Manchin, Manuel, Marshall, McGraw, Mezzatesta, Michael, Morgan, Overington, Paxton, Perdue, Perry, Pethtel, Pino, Poling, Proudfoot, Prunty, Riggs, Romine, Schadler, Shaver, Shelton, Smirl, L. Smith, Spencer, Stalnaker, Staton, Stephens, Susman, Swartzmiller, R. Thompson, R. M. Thompson, Trump, Tucker, Varner, Walters, Warner, Webb, Webster, C. White, G. White, H. White, Williams, Wills, Wright, Yeager)

(Originating in the Committee on Rules)
[April 3, 2001]

Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to conduct a study of the transportation needs of persons who are dependent upon the services of others by reason of age or physical or mental impairment .

Whereas, West Virginia's elderly population is increasing and now has the oldest median age population in the United States; and
Whereas, West Virginia is a very rural state with many of its elderly, veterans and persons with disabilities living in areas that are not served by mass transit; and
Whereas, Only 24 of West Virginia's 55 counties are served by taxi companies; and
whereas, Transportation is an integral part of a person's ability to maintain a healthy lifestyle; and
Whereas, It is the policy of this state to encourage and promote the development and use of reserves to ensure the effective care and treatment of persons who are dependent upon the services of others by reason of a physical or mental impairment; and
Whereas, In recognition that for many of these persons, effective care and treatment can only be secured from proprietary, voluntary and governmental offerings, it is the policy of this state to ensure the protection of the rights and dignity of those using the services; and
Whereas, A guiding principle of administration of the laws of this state is that such persons shall be encouraged and assisted in securing necessary care, services and treatment; and
Whereas, It is the policy of this state to encourage and promote the coordination of all agencies, political subdivisions, proprietary and voluntary offerings; and
Whereas, A coordinated transportation system increases efficiency by clustering and matching both passengers and transportation providers, using fewer one-way trips, providing more needed services, and coordinating the various public and private resources; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to conduct a study of the state's transportation system as it relates to elderly residents, veterans and persons with disabilities in order to ensure the development and use of all resources and the protection of the rights and dignity of those persons: Provided, That the purpose of the study shall not be to consider, advocate or recommend one form of transportation resources over another nor to make any conclusions as to the efficacy of one form of transportation vis-a-vis another, but instead be exclusively a comprehensive study aimed at identifying and categorizing all existing resources and transportation programs; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2002, on its findings, conclusions and recommendations, together with drafts of any legislation necessary to effect 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.