SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 27

(By Senators Caruth, Yost, Oliverio, Browning, Wells, Green, Prezioso, Unger and Plymale)



Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study pay rates between West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection staff and those of regulatory programs in other states and private industry.

Whereas, Recently the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection's Division of Mining and Reclamation (WVDEP-DMR) has experienced substantial turnover of mining inspectors and technical permit review staff; and
Whereas, At least part of this high turnover appears to be attributable to the disparity between salaries available within the WVDEP-DMR and those in private industry; and
Whereas, The high turnover rates often result in a regulatory staff that is inexperienced; and
Whereas, High turnover rates of technical permit review staff have hindered the agency's ability to review and issue technically sounds permits in a timely fashion; and
Whereas, Further complicating this issue is the aging nature of the WVDEP-DMR's most experienced senior staff, all of whom are approaching retirement age; and
Whereas, Replacing these program managers will be extremely difficult with high turnover and the inability to attract qualified, experienced personnel to the agency; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to study pay rates between West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection staff and those of regulatory programs in other states and private industry; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance also conduct a study to determine ways to create an internship and training program at the DEP to recruit, with the guarantee of employment, young students and new college graduates in the technical fields such as engineering, geology and water chemistry; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2010, 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.