HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 102

(By Delegates Hamrick, B. Ward, Haynes, Ferrell, and Clark)

[Introduced April 7, 2021; referred to Rules.]

Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study means by which to attract and retain remote workers in the State of West Virginia.

Whereas, The COVID-19 pandemic has caused many of those in the workforce across the country to shift to remote working, with some jobs moving to permanent remote positions; and

Whereas, The Legislature recognizes the important role that tourism plays in each of our communities and in the state as a whole; and

Whereas, The State of West Virginia has a unique geographic location as the weighted center of population of the eastern United States; and

Whereas, The Legislature sees value in attracting those from across the country who may be considering remote working in a state such as West Virginia; and

Whereas, The Legislature recognizes the beauty and value in our state parks, and over the last year during the COVID-19 crisis, we have had an increase of residents and out of state visitors enjoying our state parks; and

Whereas, It is only natural that those persons who may be visiting or touring the state consider working in West Virginia remotely as their “home” state; and

Whereas, The Legislature notes that expanding our employment base to those remote workers will have fantastic benefits for our economy and our state as a whole; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study means by which to attract and retain remote workers in the State of West Virginia; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2022, on its findings, conclusions, and recommendations, together with drafts of any legislation or resolutions 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 the legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.