SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 36
(By Senators Bowman, Bailey, Kessler, Minard, Redd,
Rowe, Snyder, Wooton, Boley, Minear and Sprouse)
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[Originating in the Committee on Government Organization;
reported February 27, 2002.]
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Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study the
development of policies to
promote implementation of 911
cellular emergency service.
Whereas,
In 1997, the Legislature enacted Enrolled Committee
Substitute for Senate Bill No. 278 which created a tax on cellular
phones for the purpose of enhancing 911 cellular emergency service
in the state; and
Whereas, Since Enrolled Committee Substitute for Senate Bill
No. 278 took effect, the Public Service Commission has collected
this tax and has disbursed these funds throughout West Virginia's
55 counties; and
Whereas, There are areas of the state which are still without
repeaters or transponders to relay the emergency calls to county
911 units which places our citizens at risk and in danger; and
Whereas, The residents of these areas are paying for 911
cellular emergency service that is not being provided; and
Whereas, There should be an accounting of the funds that have
been disbursed to counties by the Public Service Commission in
order to ensure that the funds are being expended for the purpose
for which they were intended and
that all of the citizens of West
Virginia who are being assessed the enhanced 911 cellular emergency
service tax are receiving the service as intended; and
Whereas, The Joint Committee on Government and Finance has
studied this topic for one year and further study is necessary
to
determine in what manner funds from the enhanced 911 cellular
emergency service tax are being used; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby
requested to study the development of policies to promote the
implementation of 911 cellular emergency service
; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and
Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2003, 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.