SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 92

(By Senators D. Facemire, Beach, Klempa, Tucker, Plymale, Fanning, Williams, Barnes and K. Facemyer)

[Originating in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure]

Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study the implementation of an intrastate air service to better connect West Virginia’s communities via quicker and safer air travel.

    Whereas, West Virginia has a rich aviation history and a growing and robust aerospace industry; and

    Whereas, Airports are an integral part of West Virginia’s transportation system, which plays a significant role in the National Transportation System. There are 32 public-use airports located in the state, seven of which have commercial air service with scheduled airlines. The state’s airports provide West Virginians and visitors with a safe and efficient connection to the entire country and the world; and

    Whereas, West Virginia’s rural geography creates intrastate transportation challenges, including extended travel times via automobile from the capital of Charleston to the farther reaches of the state, including Martinsburg in the eastern panhandle and Wheeling in the northern panhandle; and

    Whereas, Annually, a large amount of travel is undertaken by state employees traveling between Charleston and the rest of the state, and between communities throughout West Virginia, to carry out their duties that require expenditures for travel related expenses; and

    Whereas, An intrastate air service would provide a quicker, more efficient and potentially less costly alternative, not only for the state for its employees’ travel, but for businesses and visitors as well; and

    Whereas, An intrastate air service would enhance the current level of air service that presently exists in the state; and

    Whereas, An intrastate air service would attract new businesses, benefit existing businesses located in the state and enhance West Virginia’s robust tourism industry; and

    Whereas, An intrastate air service would enable the state to meet the present and future needs of West Virginia’s communities, local governments, businesses, citizens and visitors; and

    Whereas, The implementation of an intrastate air service to better connect West Virginia’s communities via quicker and safer air travel is in the best interest of the State of West Virginia; therefore, be it

    Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

    That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to study the implementation of an intrastate air service to better connect West Virginia’s communities via quicker and safer air travel; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is encouraged to work with the Aeronautics Commission of the West Virginia Department of Transportation, West Virginia’s regional airport authorities and the West Virginia Division of Tourism; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2012, 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.