SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 20
(By Senators Ross, Helmick, Kessler and Minear)
Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance, in
cooperation with the Department of Tax and Revenue, conduct a
study to review and consider, for a revenue neutral result,
the benefit of replacing ad valorem taxes on natural resources
with an expanded severance tax on natural resources and, if
feasible, to develop a plan for distribution of the revenue
between the education systems, county governments and city
governments of the state.
Whereas, Ad valorem taxes, by their nature, constitute a
significant burden on both the citizens of the state and the
state's industry; and
Whereas, The ad valorem tax burden on the citizenry and
industry of this state has dramatically increased over the past
several years, particularly upon those persons having fixed
incomes; and
Whereas, A removal of ad valorem taxes would provide
substantial relief to the people of this state and make the state
a more attractive venue for heavy industry; and
Whereas, Other states have successfully implemented a
conversion from ad valorem taxation to a form of universal
severance taxation; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance, in
cooperation with the Department of Tax and Revenue, study, review
and consider a plan to abolish ad valorem taxes on natural
resources in this state and impose, for a revenue neutral result,
an expanded severance tax on natural resources; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and
Finance report to the Legislature in the year two thousand 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.