SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 64

(By Senators Sypolt, Plymale and Beach)

[Introduced April 7, 2017]

Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study the West Virginia Division of Purchasing, including the evolving demands of government agencies for the division’s services, the division’s current fitness for its intended purposes and the efficiency of current statutory and regulatory procedures for purchasing of goods and services.

Whereas, During the 2017 regular session of the Legislature, at least eighteen bills have been introduced to modify, restrict or create an exemption from, the powers and responsibilities of the Division of Purchasing and year by year requests to create more exemptions are a perennial demand upon the Legislature; and

Whereas, Current law regarding the process of bidding, solicitation of vendors and contracting for goods and services is already subject to numerous exemptions and exclusions, such as the exemption for the substantial procurements of the State Board of Education; and

Whereas, Perceived delays in the procurement process and complex contract procedures have prompted demand for more exemptions and exclusions from current purchasing laws; and

Whereas, Current statutes and regulations originate in older, paper-based systems for oversight and tracking; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study the West Virginia Division of Purchasing, including the evolving demands of government agencies for the division’s services, the division’s current fitness for its intended purposes and the efficiency and benefit of current statutory and regulatory procedures for purchasing of goods and services; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2018, 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.