HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 116

(By Delegates Howell, Arvon, Atkinson, Caputo, Criss, Diserio, Eldridge, Ferro, Hamrick, Hill, Lewis, Lynch, Marcum, Martin, Maynard, Paynter, Pyles, Queen, Romine, C., and Sypolt)

[Originating in the Committee on Government Organization; March 31, 2017]

Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study the Real Estate Division within the Department of Administration, including the powers and duties of the office, exemptions from the office and corresponding rules and regulations, and the status of a comprehensive inventory of state owned real property.

Whereas, The Legislative Auditor has found that the cost of maintaining state buildings continues to increase and maintenance needs are being deferred where funds are limited; and

Whereas, Historic deferred maintenance of state buildings and uncertainty about public property holdings makes the development of a comprehensive inventory of state owned real property a practical necessity for budgeting purposes; and

Whereas, The Real Estate Division within the Department of Administration is charged with maintaining a statewide database of all state real estate contracts, maintaining a statewide real property management system, and to provide assistance to all state departments, agencies or institutions in acquiring, leasing and disposing of real property; and

 Whereas, The Legislature is committed to the proper management of the state’s assets, by periodically reviewing the various state agencies charged with developing state real estate inventories, including those agencies exempt from the Real Estate Division article, and by reviewing strategic real estate maintenance plans, to ensure there is no duplication of efforts, that all real estate is accounted for, and that proper management plans are established to safeguard and protect the states investments; Therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to study the Real Estate Division within the Department of Administration, including the powers and duties of the office, exemptions from the office and corresponding rules and regulations, and the status of a comprehensive inventory of state owned real property; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2018, on its findings, conclusions, and recommendations, together with drafts of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Real Estate Division, the Department of Administration, the Higher Education Policy Commission, the West Virginia Council for Community and Technical College Education, the Public Land Corporation, the Division of Natural Resources, the Division of Highways, and the Department of Transportation shall cooperate with the Legislature and provide information, access to personnel and access to all records necessary to effectuate the provisions of this study; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this study and to prepare and draft necessary legislation be paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.