HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 130

(By Delegates Howell, C. Martin, Azinger, Barnhart, Cadle, Caputo, Diserio, Hamrick, Hansen, Hanna, Hicks, Hott, D. Jeffries, J. Jeffries, Jennings, Little, Pyles, Staggers, Sypolt, Tomblin, Walker, Wilson and Worrell)

[Originating in the Committee on Government Organization; Reported on February 29, 2020]

Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to study the adoption and enforcement of the municipal building codes and property maintenance codes as to the appropriateness of requiring submission of such codes through the Legislative Rule-Making process prior to implementation and enforcement.

Whereas, The Legislature is committed to ensuring that the implementation and enforcement of regulations across the state are uniformly predictable and do not serve to obstruct the citizens of this state, or overly burden business and industry; and

Whereas, With 55 County Governments each implementing and enforcing separate municipal building codes and property maintenance codes, the potential exists to have divergent and contradictory regulatory schemes in neighboring counties and across this state, creating confusion and business uncertainty among the regulated communities; and

Whereas, Building and property maintenance codes are intended to protect the well-being of the citizens of this state and provide uniform predictable regulations that business and industry can rely on, encouraging them to build, locate and remain in this state; therefore be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study the adoption and enforcement of the municipal building codes and property maintenance codes as to the appropriateness of requiring submission of such codes through the Legislative Rule-Making process prior to implementation and enforcement; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That all state and local building code administrators and building code enforcement officers shall cooperate with the Legislature in the conduct of this study; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the Regular Session of the Legislature, 2021, 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.