SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 40

(By Senators Ross and Schoonover)


[Originating in the Committee on Transportation]


Requesting the joint committee on government and finance to make a study of the most effective and efficient means of building and maintaining the highways of the state.

Whereas, Certain potential cost savings exist for the state through the appropriate choice of concrete or asphalt as the material for construction of the state's highways; and
Whereas, Other cost savings could be obtained through the use of a public works program whereby able-bodied adult recipients of aid to families with dependent children provide a portion of the labor for state highway construction and the maintenance of the railroads under state jurisdiction; and
Whereas, Such savings could free for other lawful purposes those tax revenues derived from the sale of fuels for commercial watercraft operating on the navigable streams of this state which are presently directed to the division of highways; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the joint committee on government and finance is hereby requested to review, examine and study the most cost-effective highway construction materials, the need for and potential benefits derived from a public works program for highway construction and maintenance of railroads under state jurisdiction and the collection methods and best use for tax receipts collected on the sale of fuel for use by commercial watercraft used upon the navigable streams of this state. The joint committee on government and finance is further requested to solicit information, input and advice from the members of the Senate committee on transportation, the members of the House of Delegates committee on roads and transportation and the West Virginia department of transportation, division of highways; and, be it.
Further Resolved, That the joint committee on government and finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 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.