HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 86

(By Mr. Speaker, Mr. Kiss (By Request))

[Introduced March 8, 2002; referred to the

Committee on Rules.]



Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to conduct a study relating to the imposition or increase of a fee or fees to be dedicated to the Courthouse Facilities Improvement Fund to be solely for the funding of approved modifications or construction of court facilities.

Whereas, The West Virginia Courthouse Facilities Improvement Authority, by and through its chairperson, former Judge L. D. Egnor, has requested an increase in a myriad of fees which increase the cost of government services to the citizens of our state; and
Whereas, It is an important and laudable goal to improve the various and sundry courthouses throughout our state; and
Whereas, Efficient and modern courthouses are important in the to the administration of justice; and
Whereas, The Legislature recognizes the difficulties faced by county governments in the acquisition of necessary and adequate funding to provide the court house and other government facilities to serve the public as required by law; and
Whereas, A fee increase or fee increases which greatly increases the cost of government to the citizens of our state should be undertaken only after careful and diligent study; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to study the notion of increasing certain county clerk, circuit clerk, sheriff, prosecuting attorney and magistrate court fees, dedicating those fee increases to the courthouse facilities improvement fund to be solely for the funding of approved modifications or construction of court facilities and further study the efficacy of dedicating those funds raised through an increase in magistrate court fees solely to the improvement of magistrate courts; and be it
Further Resolved, That the committee shall report to the Legislature its findings, conclusions and recommendations, together with drafts of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations no later than the first day of January, two thousand three; and be it
Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct the study and to prepare appropriate reports, recommendations and proposed legislation be paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.


This resolution is recommended for adoption in the 2002 Regular Session by the Joint Committee on Pensions and Retirement.