HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 71

(By Delegate Warner)

[Introduced April 6, 2001; referred to the

Committee on Rules.]


Directing the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to make a study of the effectiveness of the suspension of drivers' licenses to accomplish the goals of the Legislature.

Whereas, In past legislation, suspension of a driver's license has been enacted for varied reasons, as punishment, as a collection measure for state and county fines, as a safety precaution and as a device to modify behavior; and
Whereas, The suspension of a driver's license has a severe effect on many individuals, sometimes causing the loss of employment and, thus, the ability to provide for one's family; and
Whereas, There is a question of the impact that past enactments providing for suspension have had on all of the residents of West Virginia; and
Whereas, The Legislature desires to use the remedy of suspension in the most effective manner while minimizing any unnecessary hardship imposed on the residents of the state; 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 the imposition of suspension of drivers' licenses has on the finances of the counties, cities and state and on the suspended individuals by contacting the law-enforcement authorities throughout the state, by examining the experience of other states that have implemented a program of driver's license suspension, and by questioning governmental officials with the aims of assessing the impact which the various suspension programs have on traffic safety and in reducing injuries and fatalities, and on county and municipal finances and on the suspended individuals and their families and to make recommendations to the Legislature regarding any proposed improvements in the law relating to suspension of drivers' licenses; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2002, 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.