HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 134

(By Delegates Campbell, D., Andes, Armstead, Azinger, Barill, Barker, Boggs, Brown, Butcher, Campbell, T., Canterbury, Caputo, Cowles, Craig, Diserio, Duke, Evans, Ferns, Ferro, Frazier, Guthrie, Hall, Hamilton, Hartman, Hatfield, Iaquinta, Jones, Lane, Lawrence, Longstreth, Mahan, Manypenny, Marcum, Marshall, Martin, Michael, Miller, C., Moore, Morgan, Moye, O’Neal, Pasdon, Paxton, Perdue, Perry, Phillips, L., Phillips, R., Pino, Poling, D., Poling, M., Poore, Reynolds, Rodighiero, Savilla, Shaver, Skaff, Smith, Snuffer, Sobonya, Staggers, Stowers, Sumner, Swartzmiller, Talbott, Walker, Wells, White)

Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study the implementation of a standardized highway signage program to direct visitors to unique, tourist-oriented businesses in rural and other areas in West Virginia.

    Whereas, Economic impact from direct travel spending in West Virginia totaled $4.38 billion in 2008; and

    Whereas, In 2008, travel spending directly supported 44,000 jobs in West Virginia; and

    Whereas, Millions of travel-related dollars are generated annually in every West Virginia county (from $1.3 million to $729.3 million); and

    Whereas, West Virginia’s landscape, culture and history present a tourism development opportunity in every county; and

    Whereas, West Virginia tourism generated 14 million overnight visitors and 40 million day-trip visitors in 2008; and

    Whereas, West Virginia is situated within a day’s drive of a large proportion of the United States population; and

    Whereas, The tourism industry serves as West Virginia’s front-line representatives to the traveling public; and

    Whereas, Outdoor recreation pursuits in West Virginia far outpace the national average; and

    Whereas, Cultural and heritage tourism pursuits outpace the national average; and

    Whereas, Tourism attractions and activities positively contribute to the quality of life for West Virginians; and

    Whereas, Tourism attractions and activities therefore attract businesses to West Virginia; and

    Whereas, Unique, tourist-oriented businesses located in rural and other areas of West Virginia provide cultural, historical, recreational, agricultural, educational, entertainment or commercial activities, services and products to the general public; and

    Whereas, Many of these rural, unique, tourist-oriented businesses derive a majority of their income from highway users residing outside the immediate area of the business; and

    Whereas, Visitors to West Virginia would benefit from a standardized highway signage program specifically designed for tourism to direct visitors to rural, unique, tourist-oriented businesses and those businesses would benefit the same; and

    Whereas, Because the continuing growth and development of West Virginia’s rural tourism economy is of major concern to all our citizens, it is in the best interest of the State of West Virginia to implement a plan to develop a standardized highway signage program to direct visitors to rural, unique, tourist-oriented businesses; therefore, be it

    Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

    That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to study the implementation of a standardized highway signage program to direct visitors to unique, tourist-oriented businesses in rural and other areas in West Virginia; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2013, 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.