HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 146

(By Delegates Ashley, Anderson, Williams, Evans, Canterbury, Hamilton, Pethtel, Householder, Butler, Espinosa, Moye, Westfall, Frich, Bates, Storch, H.K. White, Gearheart and Miller)

(Originating in the Committee on Finance)

[March 11, 2015]

Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to study the special funds of the State.

            Whereas, Since the Wheeling Conventions of 1861 the State of West Virginia has spawned special funds in a continuous stream; and

            Whereas, The evolution of the Mountain State has witnessed the creation of many of these special funds by law and yet many others by executive hand; and

            Whereas, There remains no systematic works for the identification of funds and funding schemas that have outlived their usefulness and no means for their repeal, closure, de-funding, refunding, reform and other disposition; and

            Whereas, There remains no systematic works to maintain consistency with respect to the alternative methods of appropriation and other pertinent fiscal policies; and

            Whereas, There exists an irregular set of funds that are not governed by policies delineating their legal purposes and undermining transparency and accountability to the people; and

            Whereas, Many funds duly created in law and designated by proper name have been bestowed improper pseudo names by custodians of the funds, thwarting oversight and undermining transparency and accountability to the people; therefore, be it

            Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

            That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is requested to study the special funds of the State; and, be it

            Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the Legislature, on the first day of the regular session, 2016, on its findings, conclusions and recommendations together with drafts of any legislation to repeal, reform and recodify special fund language as indicated and otherwise 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.