HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 170

(By Delegates Storch, Ambler, Anderson, Andes, Armstead, Arvon, Ashley, Azinger, Border, Butler, Cadle, Canterbury, Cooper, Cowles, Ellem, Ellington, Espinosa, Evans, A., Evans, D., Faircloth, Fragale, Frich, Gearheart, Hamilton, Hamrick, Householder, Howell, Iaquinta, Ireland, Jones, Kump, Lane, Longstreth, Manchin, Manypenny, McCuskey, Miller, Nelson, E., O'Neal, Overington, Pasdon, Paxton, Raines, Romine, Rowan, Shott, Smith, R., Sobonya, Sumner, Walters, Westfall and Williams)

Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study providing certain forms of educational assistance to returning service members and veterans; and study the feasibility of creating legislation consistent with the committee’s findings; and propose legislation to achieve this goal.

    Whereas, The Legislature recognizes the importance of the service our veterans and service members have provided to our state and country; and

    Whereas, The Legislature recognizes that some of our returning service members and veterans have difficulties completing or starting the education they have often delayed while on active duty; and

    Whereas, The Legislature recognizes that these persons should be given certain benefits to compensate them for the sacrifices they have made on our behalf; and

    Whereas, The Legislature seeks to address the need to examine our educational policies in order to achieve maximal results for our citizens; and

    Whereas, The Legislature believes that greater benefits could accrue to the public if we examined the educational services to veterans and service members to insure these resources were and are allocated in the most optimal fashion; therefore, be it

    Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

    That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study the operation of the state college and university system with particular attention to the impact upon that system of allowing veterans and returning service members priority in class registration; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the Committee shall consider the impact of allowing for certain benefits to the dependants of deceased service members and veterans who were killed in action or in the line of duty, including tuition assistance or waivers and priorities in admission; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the Committee shall consider the impact of allowing for certain service members and veterans to be able to take examinations in other jurisdictions and transfer credits here, including, but not limited to, certain certifications, and college credit programs, such as CLEP; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the Committee shall consider the policies of other states with regard to veterans educational issues; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the Committee shall consider the utility and viability of certain educational policies of other states with regard to veterans educational issues in our own state; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the Committee shall consider such other information or documentation as the committee may request in order to achieve the goals of this resolution; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the Committee report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2014, 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.