HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 49
(By Delegate Warner)
Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to make
a study of the impact that a graduated driver's license
program would have on traffic safety in the State of West
Virginia and of the effects that a graduated driver's
license program would have on the various boards of
education throughout the State.
Whereas, The increase in automobile accidents involving
teenage drivers, with resulting fatalities and serious injuries,
is of serious concern; and
Whereas, There has been legislation proposed in West Virginia
and enacted in other states to implement a graduated driver's
license program which program requires those new drivers who have
not completed a driver's education course to have fifty hours of
driving experience; and
Whereas, There is a question of the impact that such a
program would have on the demand for driver's education classes
to be provided by the various county boards of education; and
Whereas, The Legislature desires to promote safe driving by teenage drivers in the most efficient manner while minimizing any
unfunded mandates imposed on county school boards; 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 impact that a
graduated driver's license program would have on traffic safety
and on the various boards of education in the State of West
Virginia by contacting the school boards throughout the state, by
examining the experience of other states that have implemented a
graduated driver's license program, with the aims of assessing
the impact which a graduated driver's license program would have
on traffic safety, of determining the impact which a graduated
driver's license program would have on the county school boards
throughout the state, and to make recommendations to the
Legislature regarding any proposed improvements to the State's
driver's license procedures; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and
Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2000,
on its findings, conclusions and recommendations with drafts of
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 to be paid from legislative appropriations to the
Joint Committee on Government and Finance.