HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 1

(By Delegates Byrd, Phillips, Rowe, Robinson, Lovejoy, Pushkin, Eldridge, Canestraro and Maynard)

[Introduced May18, 2017 ]

H. C. R.  1 -- “Establishing a Select Committee on Taxation and Budget Matters to negotiate and recommend to both houses of the Legislature any necessary revenue legislation to enact balanced budget for fiscal year 2018; and calling for a recess of the first extraordinary session until June 5, 2017 to consider the recommendations of the Select Committee.”

Whereas, Each day the full Legislature is in session costs the taxpayers of this state more than $34,000.00, and members of the Legislature support keeping the cost to state taxpayers to a minimum while in a special session; and

Whereas, The negotiations for funding and passage of the state budget, at the point of time of presentment of this resolution, are far from resolved and are likely to continue for several days if not weeks; and

Whereas, These negotiations are being undertaken by a select group of legislators in leadership who are charged with representing the wishes of their respective caucuses;

Whereas, The rank and file membership of the State Senate and House of Delegates are not participating in preliminary efforts to reach a final agreement; and

Whereas, Adoption of this resolution will allow a studied and balanced process to resolution of the issues associated with funding the 2018 fiscal year budget at a low cost to state taxpayers, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That a Select Committee on Taxation and Budget Matters is hereby created with the following members: The President of the Senate; the Speaker of the House of Delegates; the Majority and Minority Leaders of each house; The chairs of Finance of each house; the vice chairs of Finance of each house; and two minority members of the Committees of Finance of each house; and

Further Resolved, That, at the conclusion of its study, the Select Committee on Taxation and Budget Matters report to each house its findings, conclusions and recommendations, together with drafts of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations; and, be it

Further Resolved, That all members of the Select Committee are authorized to receive pay and expense reimbursement during days those members are present at Select Committee meetings; and

Further Resolved, That upon adoption of this resolution by each house, the First Extraordinary Session of the 2017 Legislature shall recess until 11:00 a.m. on June 5, 2017.