House Concurrent Resolution No. 112

(By Delegates Staggers, Phillips, L., Barker, Longstreth, Lynch,

Marcum, Moye, Poling, D., Smith, P., Stephens, Walker, Wells,

Young, Ambler, Arvon, Espinosa, Evans, D., Gearheart, Hamrick, Howell, and Shott)

(February 27, 2014)

Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study the benefits of the West Virginia Parkways Authority issuing bonds to finance the construction of the King Coal Highway.

    WHEREAS, The West Virginia Legislature established the King Coal Highway Authority in 1999 to promote construction of a modern highway through the counties of McDowell, Mercer, Mingo, Wyoming, and Wayne; and

    WHEREAS, According to the United States Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991, the proposed route of the King Coal Highway was designated as “a high priority segment of a high priority corridor in the National Highway System;” and

    WHEREAS, the King Coal Highway would begin at the intersection of West Virginia Route 35 and United States Route 119 near Williamson, West Virginia and end at the Interstate 77 exit for United States Route 52; and

    WHEREAS, The West Virginia Division of Highways has estimated that the new highway may cut travel time for motorists nearly in half; and

    WHEREAS, The King Coal Highway would traverse current unused land, opening that landscape for future economic and residential development; and

    WHEREAS, As business and residential development increase, the use of the area’s recreation facilities, tourism spots, and construction of new such amenities would also increase; and

    WHEREAS, While new highway construction projects become increasingly more difficult to finance, the State of West Virginia is looking for ways to boost its current funds and to look for newer methods to offset these budget constraints; and

    WHEREAS, The issuance of bonds by the West Virginia Parkways Authority is a means to finance the construction of the King Coal Highway; therefore, be it

    Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

    That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to study the benefits of the West Virginia Parkways Authority issuing bonds to finance the construction of the King Coal Highway; and, be it

    Further Resolved, that the West Virginia Parkways Authority be encouraged to cooperate in such a study; 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, 2015, on its findings, conclusions and recommendations together with drafts of any legislation 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.