H. B. 3144


(By Delegates Susman, Yeager, Leach,
Poling, Boggs, Houston and Mezzatesta)

[Introduced February 21, 2003; referred to the
Committee on Government Organization.]



A BILL to amend and reenact section twelve, article one, chapter ten of the code of West Virginia, one thousand nine hundred thirty-one, as amended, relating to providing for the appointment of a blind person as an ad hoc nonvoting member of the state library commission to serve as an advisor to the commission.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That section twelve, article one, chapter ten of the code of West Virginia, one thousand nine hundred thirty-one, as amended, be amended and reenacted to read as follows:
ARTICLE 1. PUBLIC LIBRARIES.

§10-1-12. State library commission.
There shall be a state library commission, known as the "West Virginia Library Commission," which shall consist of five members who shall be appointed by the governor, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, each for a term of four years. Thereafter, on the first day of July, one thousand nine hundred ninety-five, four additional members shall be appointed: Provided, That for the four new members added to the commission in the year one thousand nine hundred ninety-five, one shall serve an initial term of four years and three shall serve an initial term of two years. No more than three members may reside in the same congressional district. At least four members of the commission shall be women and at least four members shall be men. No member of the commission shall receive compensation for services rendered, nor be engaged or interested in the publishing business.
The members of the commission in office on the date this code takes effect shall, unless sooner removed, continue to serve until their respective terms expire and their successors have been appointed and have qualified. On or before the expiration of the terms for which said members are appointed, the governor shall appoint their successors.
In addition to the five members appointed above, the governor shall also appoint a person who is blind as an ad hoc nonvoting member of the commission to serve in an advisory capacity to the commission. The person appointed to this ad hoc position shall serve for a period of four years and may be reappointed. The person appointed may receive compensation for necessary travel and expenses in attending meetings of the library commission.

NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to provide the appointment of a blind person as an ad hoc nonvoting member of the state library commission to serve as an advisor to the commission. For the appointment of a blind person as an ad hoc nonvoting member of the state library commission to serve as an advisor to the commission.

Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from the present law, and underscoring indicates new language that would be added.