Introduced Version - Originating in Committee
Senate Concurrent Resolution 4 History
OTHER VERSIONS -
Introduced Version
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SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 40
(By Senators Unger, Jenkins, D. Facemire, Fanning, Plymale,
Stollings, White and Barnes)
[Originating in the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure.]
Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study
issues related to the operation and maintenance of West
Virginia's state road and highway system related to snow
removal and ice control, operations associated with responding
to inclement weather events and emergencies and established
quota levels pertaining to personnel, equipment and materials
for road repair and maintenance.
Whereas, The West Virginia Division of Highways has been given
statutory authority for the planning, design, construction,
operation and maintenance of West Virginia's state road and highway
system; and
Whereas, The Division of Highways' mission is to protect
public safety and preserve its highway system by maintaining and
repairing the system and responding to inclement weather related
events and emergencies so travelers and goods reach their
destination safely and efficiently; and
Whereas, A key component of the maintenance of state highways
is the control of snow and ice; and
Whereas, Snow removal and ice control should be performed in
order to facilitate the movement and safety of public traffic and
should be done in accordance with best management practices; and
Whereas, Division of Highways uses snow plows, motor graders,
deicing salt and abrasives to clear and treat the roadway pavement;
and
Whereas, Division of Highways has established quotas and set
budgets for equipment and personnel to deliver operational services
related to snow removal and ice control within its county and
expressway maintenance organizations; and
Whereas, The control of snow and ice on West Virginia's roads
and highways involves balancing the needs of the traveling public,
traffic and personal safety and the pavement wear and ride
deterioration together with limited moneys and resources available
to the Division of Highways; and
Whereas, The Division of Highways should be continually
searching for materials, resources, equipment, personnel and
improved operational practices to lessen the effects of inclement
weather; and
Whereas, A renewed state commitment to funding West Virginia's
road and highway infrastructure is necessary as well as a renewed
interest in addressing the enormity of the transportation
infrastructure system crisis created by inadequate federal and
state funds, lack of personnel and equipment together with operational practices that don't employ best management practices;
and
Whereas, Without adequate infrastructure to efficiently and
safely move people and goods, the state's traffic and economic
development will cease; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby
requested to study issues related to the operation and maintenance
of West Virginia's state road and highway system related to snow
removal and ice control and operations associated with responding
to inclement weather events and emergencies; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and
Finance review the Division of Highways' established quota levels
pertaining to personnel, equipment and materials for road
maintenance and repair including, but not be limited to, snow
removal, ice control, repair and patching of damaged roads, mowing
and all other routine road maintenance; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and
Finance study the costs associated with repairing and paving roads
and highways damaged from snow removal and ice control, especially
damage caused by recent winter storms, together with identifying
federal and state funds adequate to immediately repair and patch
the damaged roads; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance review the priorities given to improving the state's roads
and highways together with identifying federal and state funds to
adequately achieve those priorities; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and
Finance seek input from the Division of Highways, State Police,
National Guard, as well as weather service providers, as to how
snow removal and ice control services may be more efficiently
provided during inclement weather events and emergencies; and, be
it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and
Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2011, 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.