HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 43
(By Delegates Douglas and Collins)
Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to make a
study of the viability of creating an office within
legislative services to prepare fiscal notes on all
legislation requiring the same.
Whereas, Present government requires that fiscal notes be
prepared by agencies of the executive branch, often resulting in
conflict of interest between what is best for the executive or the
agency preparing the fiscal note and what is best for the state of
West Virginia; and
Whereas, Accuracy and uniformity of fiscal notes is of
paramount importance to law makers; and
Whereas, Centralized fiscal note preparation would free
executive agencies from the burden of these responsibilities and
provide greater separation of powers; and
Whereas, Timeliness of fiscal note preparation is currently
outside the control of the Legislature; and
Whereas, Personnel expertise in fiscal note preparation is
necessary to ensure reliable assessments of fiscal impact;
therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby
directedrequested to review, examine and study the viability of creating an
office within legislative services to prepare fiscal notes on all
legislation requiring the same, the ways and means employed by
other states for fiscal note preparation and best practices for the
state of West Virginia; and be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and
Finance report to the regular session of the lLegislature, 1998, 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.