HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 98
(By Delegates Michael, Mezzatesta and Williams)
[Introduced March 8, 2003; referred to the
Committee on Rules.]
Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to conduct
a study to determine the means of best facilitating the
creation of a new Water Quality Board and transferring the
water quality standard rule-making authority from the
Environmental Quality Board to the Water Quality Board.
Whereas, The Environmental Quality Board currently functions as
an appellate body reviewing certain orders, permits or official
actions of the Chief of Water Resources or the Director of the
Department of Environmental Protection; and
Whereas, The Environmental Quality Board also functions as a
rule-making body with authority to promulgate legislative rules
setting standards of water quality which are applicable to both
surface and ground waters of this State; and
Whereas, There is a pressing need to separate these joint, and
sometimes conflicting, functions of the Environmental Quality Board
to provide a more effective, efficient and equitable
administration of water quality rules in this State; therefore, be
it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby
requested to study the means of best facilitating the creation of
a new Water Quality Board and transferring the water quality
standard rule-making authority from the Environmental Quality Board
to the Water Quality Board
; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and
Finance report two months prior to the regular session of the
Legislature, 2004, 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.