HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 116

(By Delegates Lawrence, Fragale, Cooper, Cowles, Espinosa, Ferns, Pleischauer, Gearheart, Hamilton, Hamrick, Hartman, Jones, Marcum, McCuskey, Morgan, Moye, Pasdon, Perry, Sponaugle, Sumner, and Williams)

[Originating in the Committee on Political Subdivisions]

Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to study the advantages and disadvantages of requiring owner occupied residences to participate in a public sewer or water system.

    WHEREAS, there is a need to protect the public health by ensuring the safety of residential sewer systems; and

    WHEREAS, there is an need to ensure residential property owners have access to a safe and functioning water system; and

    WHEREAS, there is concern of pollution in ground water systems; and

    WHEREAS, the financial impact water and sewer systems can be quite large, and

    WHEREAS, there is a need for state-wide standards regarding the conflicts between residential property owners and public sewer districts; and

    WHEREAS, the standards should provide an effective and time sensitive dispute resolutions process; and

    WHEREAS, the committee should review municipal, county and statewide ordinances and laws to ensure best practices; and be it

    Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

    That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to study the advantages and disadvantages of requiring owner occupied residences to participate in a public sewer or water system; and be it

    Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2015, 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.