HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO.49

(By Delegates Tabb, Anderson, Beach, Blair, Border, Campbell, Cann, Canterbury, Doyle, Duke, Evans, Faircloth, Foster,

Long, Louisos, Manuel, Paxton, Perry, Schadler, Shaver,

Stalnaker and Trump)

[Introduced 21, 2003; referred to the

Committee on Rules.]


Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study the costs and benefits associated with West Virginia's deer population.

Whereas, The State's deer population is an important economic resource of the State; and
Whereas, The State benefits economically from the hunting of deer and associated activities; and
Whereas, Residents and property owners in the State suffer financial losses due to property damage by deer, including crop damage and damage to vehicles; and
Whereas, This may affect insurance rates for all West Virginians; and
Whereas, With comprehensive detailed information concerning the costs and the benefits associated with the State deer population better decisions affecting the deer population may be made by the Legislature and executive agencies; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to comprehensively study the costs and benefits associated with the State's deer population; and, be it
Further Resolved, The study should seek to identify and quantify not only the benefits the State receives from its deer population, but also the added costs and responsibilities to the State due to the presence of deer and how herd sizes may positively or negatively impact the identified costs and benefits; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance compile the results of the study into a report to be made available to the Legislature, executive agencies and the public; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2004, 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.