SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 55

(By Senators Maynard, Stollings, Cline, Plymale and Swope)

[Introduced April 4, 2017]

Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study ways and methods to generate revenue to pay for the cost of completion of construction of Interstate 73 and Interstate 74 within the boundaries of West Virginia.

Whereas, Interstate 73 is planned to continue next to U. S. Route 60 (Corridor Q) from the Virginia state line west to Bluefield. There, it will join Interstate 74, which splits from Interstate 77 across the border from Virginia; and

Whereas, For the rest of its path through this state, from Bluefield to Huntington and Ohio, Interstate 73 will follow U. S. Route 52 which is in the process of being upgraded to a four-lane divided highway, known as the King Coal Highway, to Williamson and the Tolsia Highway the rest of the way to Huntington. This section of highway has been designated as the future Interstate 73 and Interstate 74 Corridor, but it is not being built to interstate standards; and

Whereas, Interstate 73, when completed, will provide much needed interstate access in this state, opening economic development opportunities that do not currently exist; and

Whereas, Currently, Interstate 73 is an important road project for the West Virginia Department of Transportation, but is not fully funded; and

Whereas, Possible funding mechanisms to contribute to the cost of completing the construction of Interstates 73 and 74 through the borders of this state in accordance with interstate standards include: Issuing special obligation notes and where available, to secure federal matching funds and the installation of automated toll booths capable of obtaining payment from credit and debit cards; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to study ways and methods to generate revenue to pay for the cost of completion of construction of Interstate 73 and Interstate 74 within the boundaries of West Virginia; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance enlist the assistance of the Commissioner of Highways in conducting the study; 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 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.