SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 46

(By Senators Miller, Williams, Beach, Cann, Carmichael, Cookman, D. Hall, Laird, Nohe, Sypolt and Tucker)

[Originating in the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development]

Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study the distribution of power to rural communities and prioritization for farms and agricultural businesses during power outages.

    Whereas, There are over 22,500 farms in the state; and

    Whereas, Farms and agricultural products and their value added account for almost $1 billion in economic impact to the state; and

    Whereas, The majority of the farms and agricultural businesses are located in and support rural economies; and

    Whereas, Power supply to the rural areas, and the farms and agricultural businesses in particular, is an important tool for the economic success of these businesses; and

    Whereas, Power supply restoration after a power outage is critical to these industries, which have products like chickens, fish, other animals and plants that will be lost and cause great economic loss if power is not restored in a timely manner; therefore, be it

    Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

    That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to study the distribution of power to rural communities and prioritization for farms and agricultural businesses during power outages; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2014, 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.