SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 19
(By Senators Chafin, Bowman, Kimble, Walker, Bailey, Anderson,
Sharpe, Dittmar, Wagner, Macnaughtan, Schoonover, Ross, Boley,
Yoder, Buckalew, Blatnik, Minear, White, Whitlow and Deem)
Requesting the joint committee on government and finance to make
a study of the family law masters system in the state of
West Virginia.
Whereas, Changes in the family law masters system in West
Virginia are necessary to increase efficiency and maintain or
improve existing services; and
Whereas, Changes in the administration and operations of
family law masters may allow the family law masters system to
achieve a more just resolution of particular disputes; therefore,
be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the joint committee on government and finance is hereby
requested to create a blue ribbon interim study commission
consisting of five members, two of which members shall be appointed by the president of the Senate, two of which members to
be appointed by the speaker of the House of Delegates and one
member to be appointed by the governor. Said appointments shall
be made on or before the thirtieth day of March, one thousand
nine hundred ninety-six; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the commission is hereby requested to
review, examine and study the present structure of the family law
masters system in West Virginia and recommend changes in the
family law masters system so that the same may be improved or
amended to increase efficiency, improve existing services and
insure a more just resolution of particular disputes; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the commission shall elect one of its
members as chairman, one as vice chairman and other officers as
it deems appropriate. Vacancies on the commission shall be
promptly filled by the original appointing authority; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the commission may employ such
professional, clerical and technical assistants as it deems
necessary in order to perform its duties, and may request
information from any state agency in order to assist the
performance of its duties; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the commission shall meet in
Charleston or elsewhere as it may deem necessary or appropriate,
inasmuch as time is of the essence. The first meeting shall be
called jointly by the president of the Senate and the speaker of
the House of Delegates, one of whom shall preside temporarily and
until a chairman is elected; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the findings of the study commission
shall be reported to the joint committee on government and
finance on or before the thirtieth day of September, one thousand
nine hundred ninety-six, and to the Legislature at each scheduled
interim session thereafter, with respect to progress of
activities, programs and plans of the commission toward the
development of recommendations; and a final report of the
commission shall be submitted to the joint committee on
government and finance and to the Legislature at its regular
session, 1997, unless the existence of the study commission is
continued by resolution or other action of the joint committee on
government and finance; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct the
commission's study and to prepare appropriate reports, recommendations and proposed legislation be paid from the
legislative appropriations to the joint committee on government
and finance.