SENATE RESOLUTION 205

(By Senators Carmichael, Mr. President, Boso, Ferns, Gaunch, Rucker, Maroney, Blair, Cline, Takubo, Drennan, Maynard, Clements, Mann, Boley, Palumbo, Woelfel, Jeffries, Prezioso, Beach, Stollings, Facemire, Baldwin, Unger, Plymale, Trump, Ojeda, Smith, Sypolt and Romano)

 [Introduced October 2, 2018.]

Publicly reprimanding and censuring Justice Elizabeth D. Walker of the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia.

Whereas, Justice Walker was named in Article of Impeachment XIV, which alleges that the Justices of the Supreme Court of Appeals generally and collectively failed to provide or prepare policies and reasonable supervisory oversight of the operations of the Court and in the absence of such policies and oversight, wasted state funds on unnecessary renovations, travel, computers for home use, lunches, and the framing of personal items; and

Whereas, The House of Delegates also adopted House Resolution 203 censuring all then-sitting Justices related to their conduct concerning, among other things, the spending on their personal offices; and

Whereas, Justice Walker has publicly acknowledged the need for changed policies and practices to rebuild public trust in the Court; and

Whereas, The West Virginia Senate believes that Justice Walker should work to implement reforms to improve the administration of the Court and prevent future inappropriate expenditures and to ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations governing the conduct of the Court; and

Whereas, Justice Walker supports increased legislative oversight, transparency, and accountability of the Supreme Court of Appeals; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate:

That the Senate hereby publicly reprimands and censures Justice Elizabeth D. Walker of the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Clerk is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to Justice Walker.