HB4046 S GOV AM #1

Julia Morton/Suzette Piggott

The Committee on Government Organization moved to amend the bill by striking out everything after the enacting clause and inserting in lieu thereof the following:

That §16-1-16, §19-12A-3, §25-6-1, §25-6-2, §25-6-3, §25-6-4, §25-6-5, §25-6-6, §25-6-7 and §30-1-15 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, be repealed; that §5-6-1 of said code be amended and reenacted; that §5A-1-11 of said code be amended and reenacted; that §5B-1-1a of said code be amended and reenacted; that §5B-2F-2 of said code be amended and reenacted; that §9-2-1a of said code be amended and reenacted; that §17B-2-7a of said code be amended and reenacted; that §17C-15-44 of said code be amended and reenacted; that §18-10A-2 of said code be amended and reenacted; that §19-1-3a of said code be amended and reenacted; that §19-21A-4 of said code be amended and reenacted; that §22C-12-6 of said code be amended and reenacted; that §24-1-3 of said code be amended and reenacted; that §24A-1A-2 of said code be amended and reenacted; that §24E-1-11 of said code be amended and reenacted; and that §47A-1-1 of said code be amended and reenacted, all to read as follows:

CHAPTER 5. GENERAL POWERS AND AUTHORITY OF THE GOVERNOR, SECRETARY OF STATE AND ATTORNEY GENERAL; BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS; MISCELLANEOUS AGENCIES, COMMISSIONS, OFFICES, PROGRAMS, ETC.

ARTICLE 6. STATE BUILDINGS.

§5-6-1. State Building Commission; composition; appointment, terms and qualifications of members; chairman and secretary; compensation and expenses; powers and duties generally; frequency of meetings.

"The State Office Building Commission of West Virginia, hereto created, shall continue in existence, but on and after February 9, 1966, shall be known and designated as (a) The State Building Commission of West Virginia and shall continue is continued as a body corporate and as an agency of the State of West Virginia. On and after the date aforesaid,

(b) The commission shall consist consists of the Governor, Attorney General, State Treasurer and four additional members to be appointed by the Governor by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.

(c) The terms of office for said the appointed members to be appointed by the Governor shall be is four years. except that the terms of office of the first four members so appointed by the Governor shall be for one, two, three and four years, respectively. No more than three of such the appointed members so appointed by the Governor shall be members of the same political party, nor shall any of said the appointed members be members or employees of the executive, legislative or judicial branches of government of West Virginia or any political subdivision thereof.

(d) The Governor shall be chairman of the commission. The Secretary of State shall be a member of the commission and serve as its secretary, but shall not have the right to vote upon matters before the commission. All members of the commission shall be citizens and residents of this state.

(e) The members of the commission shall be paid or reimbursed for their necessary expenses incurred under this article, but shall receive no compensation for their services as members or officers of the commission: Provided, That each member of the commission appointed by the Governor shall, in addition to such reimbursement for necessary expenses, receive an amount not to exceed the same compensation as is paid to members of the Legislature for their interim duties as recommended by the Citizens Legislative Compensation Commission and authorized by law for each day or substantial portion thereof that he or she is engaged in the work of the commission. Such expenses and per diem shall be paid solely from funds provided under the authority of this article, and the commission shall not proceed to exercise or carry out any authority or power herein given it to bind said commission beyond the extent to which money has been provided under the authority of this article.

(f) On or before the fifteenth day of each month, the commission shall prepare and transmit to the President and Minority Leader of the Senate and the Speaker and the Minority Leader of the House of Delegates a report covering the activities of the said commission for the preceding calendar month.

Pursuant to the provisions of article ten, chapter four of this code, the state building commission shall continue to exist until the first day of July, two thousand.

CHAPTER 5A. DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION.

ARTICLE 1. DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION.

§5A-1-11. State Americans with Disabilities Coordinator.

(a) There is hereby created continued within the Department of Administration the position of the state Americans with Disabilities Coordinator, who shall be appointed by the Secretary of the Department of Administration with input from the chairperson from each of the following four councils:

(1) The Developmental Disabilities Council;

(2) The Statewide Independent Living Council;

(3) The Mental Health Planning Council; and

(4) The State Rehabilitation Council.

(b) The coordinator shall be a full-time employee, and shall have an in-depth working knowledge of the challenges facing persons with disabilities. The coordinator may be a current employee of the Department of Administration or other state agency employee.

(1) Advise the Director of Personnel in the development of comprehensive policies and programs for the development, implementation and monitoring of a statewide program to assure compliance with 42 U.S.C. §12101, et seq., the federal Americans with Disabilities Act;

(2) Assist in the formulation of rules and standards relating to the review, investigation and resolution of complaints of discrimination in employment, education, housing and public accommodation;

(3) Consult and collaborate with state and federal agency officials in the state plan development;

(4) Consult and collaborate with agency Americans with disabilities officers on the appropriate training for managers and supervisors on regulations and issues;

(5) Represent the state on local, state and national committees and panels related to Americans with disabilities;

(6) Advise the Governor and agency heads on Americans with disabilities issues;

(7) Consult with state equal employment opportunity officers on the hiring of persons with disabilities; and

(8) Be available to inspect and advise the leasing section of the Division of Purchasing on all physical properties owned or leased by the State of West Virginia for compliance with 42 U.S.C. §12101, et seq., the federal Americans with Disabilities Act.

(d)(1) The Secretary of the Department of Administration may assess, charge and collect fees from each state spending unit which utilizes the services of the coordinator, for the direct costs and expenses incurred by the coordinator in providing those services. Costs and expenses include travel, materials, equipment and supplies. Moneys shall be collected through the Division of Finance.

(2) A state spending unit shall agree in writing to all costs and expenses before the services by the Americans with disabilities coordinator are rendered.

(e) There is hereby created continued in the Department of Administration a special fund to be named the “Americans with Disabilities Coordinator Fund”, which shall be an interest-bearing account and may be invested in accordance with the provisions of article six, chapter twelve of this code, with the interest income a proper credit to the fund. Funds paid into the account may be derived from the following sources:

(1) All moneys received from state spending units for the costs and expenses incurred by the state Americans with disabilities coordinator for providing services related to the state’s implementation and compliance with 42 U.S.C. §12101, et seq., the federal Americans with Disabilities Act;

(2) Any gifts, grants, bequests, transfers or donations which may be received from any governmental entity or unit or any person, firm, foundation or corporation; and

(3) All interest or return on investment accruing to the fund.

(f) Moneys in the fund are to be used for the costs and expenses incurred pursuant to this section. Any balance including accrued interest in this special fund at the end of any fiscal year shall not revert to the General Revenue Fund, but shall remain in the fund for use by the Secretary of the Department of Administration for providing additional Americans with disabilities coordinator services within the State of West Virginia in the ensuing fiscal years.

(g) The Secretary of the Department of Administration shall report annually on the fund to the Governor, President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Delegates. The report must be on CD ROM or other electronic media and shall not be in print format.

(h) The state Americans with disabilities coordinator shall continue to exist until the first day of July, two thousand nine, unless sooner terminated, continued or reestablished pursuant to the provisions of article ten, chapter four of this code.

CHAPTER 5B. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 1985.

ARTICLE 1. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE.

§5B-1-1a. Marketing and Communications Office.

(a) There is hereby created continued in the Department of Commerce the Marketing and Communications Office. The office is created to provide marketing and communications goods and services to other state agencies, departments, units of state or local government or other entity or person.

(b) The office is authorized to charge for goods and services it provides to other state agencies. The Secretary of the Department of Commerce shall approve a fee schedule determining the amounts that may be charged for goods and services provided by the office to other state agencies.

(c) All moneys collected shall be deposited in a special account in the State Treasury to be known as the Department of Commerce Marketing and Communications Operating Fund. Expenditures from the fund shall be for the operation of the office and are not authorized from collections but are to be made only in accordance with appropriation by the Legislature and in accordance with the provisions of article two, chapter eleven-b of this code. Provided, That for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008, expenditures are authorized from collections and shall be expended at the discretion of the Secretary of the Department of Commerce rather than pursuant to appropriation by the Legislature.

(d) Any balance remaining at the end of any fiscal year shall not revert to the General Revenue Fund, but shall remain in the fund for expenditures in accordance with the purposes set forth in this section.

(e) The Department of Commerce shall develop and maintain a system of annual or more frequent performance measures useful in gauging the efficiency and effectiveness of the office’s marketing and communications activities. The measures shall also reflect the office’s efficiency and effectiveness with respect to commercially available marketing and communications services and any private sector benchmarks which might be identified or created. For the purposes of this section, “performance measures” means income, output, quality, self-sufficiency and outcome metrics.

(f) Beginning on January 1, 2008, and annually every year thereafter On January 1 of each year, the Secretary of the Department of Commerce shall report to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance, the Joint Standing Committee on Finance and the Joint Commission on Economic Development on the performance of the office. This report is to include a statement of the performance measurements for the office developed by the Secretary of the Department of Commerce and an analysis of the office’s performance.

(g) Pursuant to the provisions of article ten, chapter four of this code, the Marketing and Communications Office shall continue to exist until the first day of July, two thousand ten, unless sooner terminated, continued or reestablished.

ARTICLE 2F. DIVISION OF ENERGY.

§5B-2F-2. Purpose; office of Director for Energy Development; director to be member of Public Energy Authority; division to develop energy policy and development plan; contents of energy policy and development plan; and division to promote energy initiatives.

(a) Effective July 1, 2007, The Division of Energy is created continued as a state agency under the Department of Commerce. The division may receive federal funds. The division shall be administered by a director, who shall be appointed by the Governor, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, and shall continue to serve until his or her successor is appointed and qualified as provided. The director shall be selected with special preference and consideration given to his or her training, experience, capacity and interest in energy policy and development activities.

(b) Creation of The division is intended to provide leadership for developing energy policies emphasizing the increased efficiency of energy use, the increased development and production of new and existing domestic energy sources, the increased awareness of energy use on the environment and the economy, dependable, efficient and economical statewide energy systems capable of supporting the needs of the state, increased energy self-sufficiency where the ratio of indigenous to imported energy use is increased, reduce the ratio energy consumption to economic activity and maintain low-cost energy. The energy policies and development plans shall also provide direction for the private sector.

(c) The director shall administer the daily operations of the Public Energy Authority provided under the provisions of chapter five-d of this code. The director shall also have authority over the Office of Coalfield Community Development, created by the provisions of article two-a of this chapter, and the energy efficiency program existing under the West Virginia Development Office which are hereby transferred to the division. The director shall effectuate coordination of these entities relative to the purposes provided in this article.

(d) The division shall develop an energy policy and shall report the same back to the Governor and the Joint Committee on Government and Finance before December 1, 2007. The energy policy shall be a five-year plan setting forth the state's energy policies and shall provide a direction for the private sector. Prior to the expiration of the energy policy, the division shall begin review of the policy and submit a revised energy policy to the Governor and the Joint Committee on Government and Finance six months before the expiration of the policy.

(e) The director shall be a member of the Public Energy Authority and as such shall attend and participate in all official meetings and public hearings conducted under the auspices of the authority.

(f) The division shall prepare and submit an annual energy development plan to the Governor and the Joint Committee on Government and Finance on or before December 1 of each year. The development plan shall relate to the division’s implementation of the energy policy and the activities of the division during the previous year. The development plan shall include any recommended legislation. The Public Energy Authority, the Office of Coalfield Community Development, the energy efficiency program, the Department of Environmental Protection and the Public Service Commission, in addition to their other duties prescribed by this code, shall assist the division and the director in the development of an energy policy and related development plans. The energy development plan shall set forth the plans for implementing the state's energy policy and shall provide a direction for the private sector. The energy development plan shall recognize the powers of the Public Energy Authority as to development and financing of projects under its jurisdiction and shall make such recommendations as are reasonable and practicable for the exercise of such powers.

(g) The division shall hold public hearings and meetings with notice to receive public input regarding proposed energy policies and development plans. The energy policy and development plans required by subsections (d) and (f) of this section shall address increased efficiency of energy use, traditional and alternative energy, water as a resource and a component of energy production, energy distribution systems, the siting of energy facilities, the increased development and production of new and existing domestic energy sources, increased awareness of energy use on the environment and the economy, energy infrastructure, the development and implementation of renewable, clean, technically innovative and advanced energy projects in this state. Projects may include, without limitation, solar and wind energy, low-impact hydro power, geothermal, biomass, landfill gas, fuel cells, renewable hydrogen fuel technologies, waste coal, coal mine methane, coal gasification to ultraclean fuels, solid waste to fuel grade ethanol and coal liquefaction technologies.

(h) The division may propose rules for legislative approval in accordance with the provisions of article three, chapter twenty-nine-a of this code designed to implement an energy policy and development plan in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. (i) The energy policy and development plans required by subsections (d) and (f) of this section shall identify and report on the energy infrastructure in this state and include without limitation energy infrastructure related to protecting the state's essential data, information systems and critical government services in times of emergency, inoperativeness or disaster. In consultation with the Director of the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, the director of the division shall encourage the development of energy infrastructure and strategic resources that will ensure the continuity of governmental operations in situations of emergency, inoperativeness or disaster.

(j) In preparing or revising the energy policy and development plan, the division may rely upon internal staff reports or the advice of outside advisors or consultants and may procure such services with the consent of the Secretary of Commerce. The division may also involve national, state and local government leadership and energy experts.

(k) The division shall prepare an energy use database, including without limitation, end-use applications and infrastructure needs for different classes of energy users including residential, commercial and industrial users, data regarding the interdependencies and sources of electricity, oil, coal, water and gas infrastructure, data regarding energy use of schools and state-owned facilities and collect data on the impact of the energy policy and development plan on the decisions and strategies of energy users of the state.

(l) The division shall promote collaboration between the state's universities and colleges, private industry and nonprofit organizations to encourage energy research and leverage available federal energy research and development resources.

(m) The division shall promote initiatives to enhance the nation's energy security through research and development directed at transforming the state's energy resources into the resources that fuel the nation.

(n) The Performance Evaluation and Research Division of the Legislative Auditor’s office shall perform an agency review of the Division of Energy in 2010 as part of its review of the Department of Commerce as set forth in article four, chapter ten of this code. (o) (n) The division shall work with the President of the United States and his or her administration to develop a plan that would allow West Virginia to become the leader in transitioning the United States to a new energy future.

(p) (o) The division is to determine the best way for West Virginia to utilize its resources and any federal funding to develop the technologies that are necessary for such a transition.

(q) (p) The division is to clearly articulate West Virginia’s position on an energy solution for the United States that encompasses clean coal, natural gas, transtech energy technologies and renewable energy technologies.

(r) (q) The division shall develop and distribute an informational program and policies that emphasize the importance of West Virginia energy resources and their positive impact on the eastern seaboard and the nation.

(s) (r) The division shall monitor legal challenges to the energy industries in the state and submit a report quarterly to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance. The report shall contain information relating to any litigation that challenges any statute that could affect the production, distribution and utilization of natural resources of the state.

CHAPTER 9. HUMAN SERVICES.

ARTICLE 2. COMMISSIONER OF HUMAN SERVICES; POWERS, DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES GENERALLY.

§9-2-1a. Department of Health and Human Resources.

The Department of Health and Human Resources shall be charged with the administration of this chapter. Pursuant to the provisions of article ten, chapter four of this code, the Department of Health and Human Resources shall continue to exist until the first day of July, two thousand six, unless sooner terminated, continued or reestablished.

CHAPTER 17B. MOTOR VEHICLE DRIVER'S LICENSES.

ARTICLE 2. ISSUANCE OF LICENSE, EXPIRATION AND RENEWAL.

§17B-2-7a. Driver's Licensing Advisory Board.

(a) The Driver's Licensing Advisory Board is hereby continued. The board shall consist of five members to be appointed by the Governor, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, for terms of three years, except that as to the members first appointed, two shall be appointed for a term of three years, two shall be appointed for a term of two years and one shall be appointed for a term of one year, all from July 1, 1974. All vacancies occurring on the board shall be filled by the Governor, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. One member of the board shall be an optometrist duly registered to practice optometry in this state and the other four members of the board shall be physicians or surgeons duly licensed to practice medicine or surgery in this state. The Governor shall appoint persons qualified to serve on the board who, in his opinion, will best serve the work and function of the board.

(b) The board shall advise the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles as to vision standards and all other medical criteria of whatever kind or nature relevant to the licensing of persons to operate motor vehicles under the provisions of this chapter. The board shall, upon request, advise the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles as to the mental or physical fitness of an applicant for, or the holder of, a license to operate a motor vehicle. The board shall furnish the commissioner with all such medical standards, statistics, data, professional information and advice as he may reasonably request.

(c) The members of the board shall receive compensation and expense reimbursement in an amount not to exceed the same compensation and expense reimbursement as is paid to members of the Legislature for their interim duties as recommended by the Citizens Legislative Compensation Commission and authorized by law, for each day or substantial portion thereof engaged in the performance of official duties.

Pursuant to the provisions of article ten, chapter four of this code, the driver's licensing advisory board shall continue to exist until the first day of July, two thousand nine.

CHAPTER 17C. TRAFFIC REGULATIONS AND LAWS OF THE ROAD.

ARTICLE 15. EQUIPMENT.

§17C-15-44. Safety equipment and requirements for motorcyclists, motorcycles, motor-driven cycles and mopeds; Motorcycle Safety Standards and Education Committee.

(a) No person shall operate or be a passenger on any motorcycle or motor-driven cycle unless the person is wearing securely fastened on his or her head by either a neck or chin strap a protective helmet designed to deflect blows, resist penetration and spread impact forces. Any helmet worn by an operator or passenger shall meet the current performance specifications established by the American National Standards Institute Standard, Z 90.1, the United States Department of Transportation Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 218 or Snell Safety Standards for Protective Headgear for Vehicle Users.

(b) No person shall operate or be a passenger on any motorcycle or motor-driven cycle unless the person is wearing safety, shatter-resistant eyeglasses (excluding contact lenses), or eyegoggles or face shield that complies with the performance specifications established by the American National Standards Institute for Head, Eye and Respiratory Protection, Z 2.1. In addition, if any motorcycle, motor-driven cycle or moped is equipped with a windshield or windscreen, the windshield or windscreen shall be constructed of safety, shatter-resistant material that complies with the performance specifications established by the Department of Transportation Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 205 and American National Standards Institute, Safety Glazing Materials for Glazing Motor Vehicles Operated on Land Highways, Standard Z 26.1.

(c) No person shall operate a motorcycle, motor-driven cycle or moped on which the handlebars or grips are more than fifteen inches higher than the uppermost part of the operator's seat when the seat is not depressed in any manner.

(d) A person operating a motorcycle, motor-driven cycle or moped shall ride in a seated position facing forward and only upon a permanent operator's seat attached to the vehicle. No operator shall carry any other person nor shall any other person ride on the vehicle unless the vehicle is designed to carry more than one person, in which event a passenger may ride behind the operator upon the permanent operator's seat if it is designed for two persons, or upon another seat firmly attached to the vehicle to the rear of the operator's seat and equipped with footrests designed and located for use by the passenger or in a sidecar firmly attached to the vehicle. No person shall ride side saddle on a seat. An operator may carry as many passengers as there are seats and footrests to accommodate those passengers. Additional passengers may be carried in a factory produced sidecar provided that there is one passenger per seat. Passengers riding in a sidecar shall be restrained by safety belts.

(e) Every motorcycle, motor-driven cycle and moped shall be equipped with a rearview mirror affixed to the handlebars or fairings and adjusted so that the operator shall have a clear view of the road and condition of traffic behind him or her for a distance of at least two hundred feet.

(f) There is hereby created continued a six member Motorcycle Safety and Education Committee consisting of: The Superintendent of the State Police or a designee; the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles or a designee; the Director of the West Virginia Safety Council or a designee; a licensed motorcycle operator; an owner of a motorcycle dealership; and a supplier of aftermarket nonfranchised motorcycle supplies. The nongovernmental representatives shall be appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate, shall serve without compensation, and the terms shall be for three years, except that as to the members first appointed, one shall be appointed for a term of one year, one shall be appointed for a term of two years and one shall be appointed for a term of three years. Members may be reappointed to the committee.

The committee shall continue to exist pursuant to the provisions of article ten, chapter four of this code until the first day of July, one thousand nine hundred ninety-nine, to allow for the completion of a preliminary performance review by the joint committee on government operations.

(g) The committee is hereby authorized to recommend to the Superintendent of Public Safety types and makes of protective helmets, eye protection devices and equipment offered for sale, purchased or used by any person. The committee is authorized to make recommendations to the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles regarding the use of the moneys in the Motorcycle Safety Fund created under section seven, article one-d, chapter seventeen-b of this code.

CHAPTER 18. EDUCATION.

ARTICLE 10A. REHABILITATION SERVICES.

§18-10A-2. Division of Rehabilitation Services.

(a) The Division of Rehabilitation Services is hereby transferred to continued under the Department of Education and the Arts created in article one, chapter five-f of this code. The secretary shall appoint any such board, commission or council over the division to the extent required by federal law to qualify for federal funds for providing rehabilitation services for disabled persons. The secretary and such the boards, commissions or councils as he or she is required by federal law to appoint are authorized and directed to cooperate with the federal government to the fullest extent in an effort to provide rehabilitation services for disabled persons.

(b) References in this article or article ten-b of this chapter to the state Board of Vocational Education, the state Board of Rehabilitation or the state board as the governing board of vocational or other rehabilitation services or facilities means the Secretary of Education and the Arts. All references in the code to the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation means the Division of Rehabilitation Services and all references to the Director of the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation means the Director of the Division of Rehabilitation Services.

Pursuant to the provisions of article ten, chapter four of this code, the Division of Rehabilitation Services shall continue to exist until the first day of July, two thousand four.

CHAPTER 19. AGRICULTURE.

ARTICLE 1. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

§19-1-3a. Marketing and Development Division duties.

In recognition that article ten, chapter four of this code requires a preliminary performance review of the rural resource division of the Department of Agriculture and that performance standards must be stated before such audit can be performed, the rural resources division is hereby formally established and renamed the marketing and development division in the Department of Agriculture. The duties of the Marketing and Development Division are to:

(1) Establish marketing, promotional and development programs to advance West Virginia agriculture in the domestic and international markets; to

(2) Provide grading, inspection and market news services to the various elements of the West Virginia agricultural industry; and to

(3) Regulate and license individuals involved in the marketing of agricultural products.

ARTICLE 21A. CONSERVATION DISTRICTS.

§19-21A-4. State Conservation Committee.

(a) The State Conservation Committee is continued. It serves as an agency of the state and is to perform the functions conferred upon it in this article. The committee consists of the following ten members:

(1) Four citizen members;

(2) The following ex officio members or his or her designee:

(A) The Director of the state Cooperative Extension Service;

(B) The Director of the state Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station;

(D) The State Commissioner of Agriculture, who is the chairperson of the committee;

(E) The Director of the Division of Forestry; and

(F) The President of the West Virginia Association of Conservation Districts.

(b) The Governor shall appoint, by and with the consent of the Senate, the four citizen members. Members shall be appointed for four-year terms, which are staggered in accordance with the initial appointments under prior enactment of this section. In the event of a vacancy, the appointment is for the unexpired term.

(c) The committee may invite the Secretary of Agriculture of the United States of America to appoint one person to serve with the committee as an advisory member.

(d) The committee shall keep a record of its official actions, shall adopt a seal, which shall be judicially noticed, and may perform those acts, hold public hearings and adopt or propose for legislative approval rules necessary for the execution of its functions under this article.

(e) The State Conservation Committee may employ an administrative officer, technical experts and other agents and employees, permanent and temporary, as it requires. The administrative officer and support staff shall be known as the West Virginia Conservation Agency. The committee shall determine their qualifications, duties and compensation. The committee may call upon the Attorney General of the state for legal services it requires. It may delegate to its chairperson, to one or more of its members, or to one or more agents or employees powers and duties it considers proper. The committee may secure necessary and suitable office accommodations and the necessary supplies and equipment. Upon request of the committee, for the purpose of carrying out any of its functions, the supervising officer of any state agency or of any state institution of learning shall, insofar as may be possible, under available appropriations and having due regard to the needs of the agency to which the request is directed, assign or detail to the committee, members of the staff or personnel of the agency or institution of learning and make special reports, surveys or studies required by the committee.

(f) A member of the committee holds office so long as he or she retains the office by virtue of which he or she is serving on the committee. A majority of the committee is a quorum and the concurrence of a majority in any matter within their duties is required for its determination. The chairperson and members of the committee may receive no compensation for their services on the committee, but are entitled to reimbursement of expenses, including traveling expenses necessarily incurred in the discharge of their duties on the committee. The committee shall:

(1) Require the execution of surety bonds for all employees and officers who are entrusted with funds or property;

(2) Provide for the keeping of a full and accurate public record of all proceedings and of all resolutions, rules and orders issued or adopted; and

(3) Provide for an annual audit of the accounts of receipts and disbursements.

(g) In addition to other duties and powers conferred upon the state Conservation Committee, it may:

(1) Offer appropriate assistance to the supervisors of conservation districts, organized as provided in this article, in the carrying out of any of their powers and programs;

(2) Keep the supervisors of each of the several districts, organized under the provisions of this article, informed of the activities and experience of all other districts organized under this article and facilitate an interchange of advice and experience between the districts and cooperation between them;

(3) Coordinate the programs of the several conservation districts so far as this may be done by advice and consultation;

(4) Secure the cooperation and assistance of the United States and any of its agencies and of agencies of this state in the work of the districts;

(5) Disseminate information throughout the state concerning the activities and programs of the conservation districts and encourage the formation of the districts in areas where their organization is desirable;

(6) Accept and receive donations, gifts, contributions, grants and appropriations in money, services, materials or otherwise from the United States or any of its agencies, from the State of West Virginia or from other sources and use or expend the money, services, materials or other contributions in carrying out the policy and provisions of this article, including the right to allocate the money, services or materials in part to the various conservation districts created by this article in order to assist them in carrying on their operations; and

(7) Obtain options upon and acquire by purchase, exchange, lease, gift, grant, bequest, devise or otherwise any property, real or personal, or rights or interests in the property; maintain, administer, operate and improve any properties acquired; receive and retain income from the property and to expend the income as required for operation, maintenance, administration or improvement of the properties or in otherwise carrying out the purposes and provisions of this article; and sell, lease or otherwise dispose of any of its property or interests in the property in furtherance of the purposes and the provisions of this article. Money received from the sale of land acquired in the small watershed program shall be deposited in the special account of the state Conservation Committee and expended as provided in this article;

(8) To promulgate emergency and legislative Propose rules for legislative approval to effectuate the provisions of this article; as amended and reenacted by the Legislature during the 2005 regular session of the Legislature and

(9) Upon a Governor’s proclamation declaring a state of emergency or federal disaster declaration, the state committee, its employees or agents may enter any water of the state for the purpose of removing debris and other obstruction which impede water flow and present additional flood hazards. The agency shall make reasonable efforts to secure the permission of the landowner before entering any private property in connection with these removal activities. The exercise of this limited authority does not constitute taking of private property or trespass. This authority shall continue for the duration of the Governor’s proclamation or the federal disaster declaration.

(10) The State Conservation Committee is continued until July 1, 2012, pursuant to the provisions of article four, chapter ten of the Code of West Virginia, unless sooner terminated, continued or reestablished pursuant to the provisions of that article.

CHAPTER 22C. ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES; BOARDS, AUTHORITIES, COMMISSIONS AND COMPACTS.

ARTICLE 12. OHIO RIVER VALLEY WATER SANITATION COMMISSION.

§22C-12-6. Legislative declaration.

This article shall take effect and become operative and the compact be executed for and on behalf of this state only from and after the approval, ratification, and adoption and entering into thereof by the states of New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Virginia.

After having conducted a preliminary performance review through its joint committee on government operations, pursuant to article ten, chapter four of this code,

The Legislature hereby finds and declares that West Virginia should remain a member of the compact. Accordingly, notwithstanding the provisions of article ten, chapter four of this code, West Virginia shall continue to be a member of this compact until the first day of July, two thousand six, unless sooner terminated, continued or reestablished by act of the Legislature.

CHAPTER 24. PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION.

ARTICLE 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS.

§24-1-3. Public Service Commission; membership; chairman; compensation.

(a) The Public Service Commission of West Virginia is continued and directed as provided by this chapter, chapter twenty-four-a, chapter twenty-four-b and chapter twenty-four-d of this code. After having conducted a performance audit through its joint committee on government operations, pursuant to section nine, article ten, chapter four of this code, the Legislature hereby finds and declares that the Public Service Commission should be continued and reestablished. Accordingly, notwithstanding the provisions of section five, article ten, chapter four of this code, the Public Service Commission shall continue to exist until the first day of July, two thousand three. The Public Service Commission may sue and be sued by that name.

(b) The Public Service Commission shall consist consists of three members who shall be appointed by the Governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate. The commissioners shall be citizens and residents of this state and at least one of them shall be duly licensed to practice law in West Virginia, with not less than ten years’ actual work experience in the legal profession as a member of a state bar. No more than two of the commissioners shall be members of the same political party. Each commissioner shall, before entering upon the duties of his or her office, take and subscribe to the oath provided by section five, article IV of the Constitution of this state. The oath shall be filed in the Office of the Secretary of State. The Governor shall designate one of the commissioners to serve as chairman at the Governor’s will and pleasure. The chairman shall be the chief administrative officer of the commission. The Governor may remove any commissioner only for incompetency, neglect of duty, gross immorality, malfeasance in office or violation of subsection (c) (d) of this section.

(b) The unexpired terms of members of the Public Service Commission at the time this subsection becomes effective are continued. Upon expiration of the terms, (c) Appointments are for terms of six years, except that an appointment to fill a vacancy is for the unexpired term only. The commissioners whose terms are terminated by the provisions of this subsection are eligible for reappointment.

(c) (d) No person while in the employ of, or holding any official relation to, any public utility subject to the provisions of this chapter or holding any stocks or bonds of a public utility subject to the provisions of this chapter or who is pecuniarily interested in a public utility subject to the provisions of this chapter may serve as a member of the commission or as an employee of the commission. Nor may any No commissioner may be a candidate for or hold public office or be a member of any political committee while acting as a commissioner. nor may any No commissioner or employee of the commission may receive any pass, free transportation or other thing of value, either directly or indirectly, from any public utility or motor carrier subject to the provisions of this chapter. In case any of the commissioners If a commissioner becomes a candidate for any public office or a member of any political committee, the Governor shall remove him or her from office and shall appoint a new commissioner to fill the vacancy created.

(d) (e) The salaries of members of the Public Service Commission and the manner in which they are paid established by the prior enactment of this section are continued. Effective July 1, 2001, The annual salary of each commissioner provided in section two-a, article seven, chapter six of this code shall be paid in monthly installments from the special funds in the percentages that follow:

(1) From the Public Service Commission Fund collected under the provisions of section six, article three of this chapter, eighty percent;

(2) From the Public Service Commission Motor Carrier Fund collected under the provisions of section six, article six, chapter twenty-four-a of this code, seventeen percent; and

(3) From the Public Service Commission Gas Pipeline Safety Fund collected under the provisions of section three, article five, chapter twenty-four-b of this code, three percent.

(f) In addition to the salary provided for all commissioners in section two-a, article seven, chapter six of this code, the chairman of the commission shall receive $5,000 per annum to be paid in monthly installments from the Public Service Commission Fund collected under the provisions of section six, article three of this chapter.

CHAPTER 24A. MOTOR CARRIERS OF PASSENGERS AND PROPERTY FOR HIRE.

ARTICLE 1A. COMMERCIAL VEHICLE REGULATION.

§24A-1A-2. Commercial Motor Vehicle Weight and Safety Enforcement Advisory Committee; purpose; members; terms.

(a) There is created The Commercial Motor Vehicle Weight and Safety Enforcement Advisory Committee is continued. The purpose of which is to study the implementation of the commercial motor vehicle weight and safety enforcement program set forth in this article.

(b) The committee consists of the following members:

(1) One member who is an employee of the Division of Highways, to be appointed by the Commissioner of Highways;

(2) One member who is an employee of the Public Service Commission, to be appointed by the Chairman of the Public Service Commission;

(3) One member who is a State Police officer, to be appointed by the Superintendent of the State Police;

(4) One member who is an employee of the Division of Motor Vehicles, to be appointed by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles;

(5) One member who is an employee of the Development Office, to be appointed by the Governor;

(6) One member who is representative of the coal industry, to be appointed by the Governor;

(7) One member of the Senate, to be appointed by the President of the Senate;

(8) One member of the House of Delegates, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates;

(9) Two citizen members, to be appointed by the Governor;

(10) One member of the largest organization representing coal miners, to be appointed by the Governor; and

(11) One member of the largest organization representing natural resource transportation drivers, to be appointed by the Governor.

(d) The committee shall annually nominate from its members a chair, who shall hold office for one year.

(e) The committee shall hold at least four meetings each year or more often as may, in the discretion of the chair, be necessary to effectuate the purposes of this article.

(f) The public members of the committee may receive compensation for attendance at official meetings, not to exceed the amount paid to members of the Legislature for their interim duties as recommended by the Citizens Legislative Compensation Commission and authorized by law.

(g) Committee members may be reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses incurred for each day or portion of a day engaged in the discharge of committee duties in a manner consistent with guidelines of the Travel Management Office of the Department of Administration.

(h) On or before January 1 2004, and of each subsequent year, thereafter the committee shall submit to the Governor and to the Legislature a report of its recommendations for improving the effectiveness of the commercial vehicle weight and safety enforcement program.

(i) The commercial vehicle weight and safety enforcement advisory committee shall continue to exist until the first day of July, two thousand seven, pursuant to the provisions of article ten, chapter four of this code, unless sooner terminated, continued or reestablished pursuant to the provisions of that article.

CHAPTER 24E. STATEWIDE ADDRESSING AND MAPPING.

ARTICLE 1. WEST VIRGINIA STATEWIDE ADDRESSING AND MAPPING BOARD.

§24E-1-11. Advisory board; duties of board and county commissions.

(a) The board shall terminate on July 1, 2009, after which it shall have one year to wind up its affairs pursuant to the provisions of article ten, chapter four of this code. Upon final termination, the board shall transfer all its

(a) The Statewide Addressing and Mapping Board is continued as an advisory board within the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.

(b) Any right, title and interest the board has to any maps, compilations or other works that it created as a result of the statewide addressing and mapping is transferred to the respective county commissions.

(b) Upon final termination of the board,

(c) County commissions shall maintain and update the addressing and mapping systems within their respective jurisdictions under the standards established by the board, as updated thereafter by the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, of the Department of Military Affairs and Public Safety under this section and shall supply the updated information to the division in the format it establishes through its rule-making authority.

(c) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, upon final termination of the board, the powers and duties of the board shall be transferred to the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.

(d) Prior to the final termination of the board, the division may propose rules for legislative approval in accordance with the provisions of article three, chapter twenty-nine-a of this code which shall become effective only upon the final termination of the board. The rules shall:

(1) Maintain and update the standards for statewide addressing and mapping;

(2) Establish standard reasonable fees, based on cost, to be charged by county commissions for copies or use of any maps, compilations or other works created as a result of the statewide addressing and mapping, subject to the exemptions provided under section nine of this article;

(3) Govern centralization and interoperability of the county systems within the integrated statewide addressing and mapping system; and

(4) Ensure the public safety in any manner the division considers advisable.

(e) Upon final termination of the board, the division may propose rules for legislative approval in accordance with the provisions of article three, chapter twenty-nine-a of this code for the purposes set forth in this article.

(f) Upon final termination of the board, the division may promulgate emergency rules pursuant to the provisions of section fifteen, article three, chapter twenty-nine-a of this code.

(g) (d) The rules in effect as of the reenactment of this article during the 2007 regular session will on July 1, 2012, shall remain in effect until amended, modified, repealed or replaced pursuant to this article.

(h) Effective July 1, 2010, The Statewide Addressing and Mapping Board shall become an advisory board within the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management and will continue to be composed as set forth in this article and the members will serve at the will and pleasure of the Governor.

CHAPTER 47A. WEST VIRGINIA LENDING AND CREDIT RATE BOARD.

ARTICLE 1. LENDING AND CREDIT RATE BOARD.

§47A-1-1. Legislative findings; creation, membership, powers and duties of board; termination of board.

(a) The Legislature hereby finds and declares that:

(1) Changes in the permissible charges on loans, credit sales or transactions, forbearance or other similar transactions requires specialized knowledge of the needs of the citizens of West Virginia for credit for personal and commercial purposes and knowledge of the availability of such credit at reasonable rates to the citizens of this state while affording a competitive return to persons extending such credit;

(2) Maximum charges on loans, credit sales or transactions, forbearance or other similar transactions executed in this state should be prescribed from time to time to reflect changed economic conditions, current interest rates and finance charges throughout the United States and the availability of credit within the state in order to promote the making of such loans in this state; and

(3) The prescribing of such maximum interest rates and finance charges can be accomplished most effectively and flexibly by a board comprised of the heads of designated government agencies, university schools of business and administration and members of the public.

(b) In view of the foregoing findings, it is the purpose of this section to establish continue the West Virginia Lending and Credit Rate Board and authorize said board to prescribe semiannually the maximum interest rates and finance charges on loans, credit sales or transactions, forbearance or similar transactions made pursuant to this section subject to the provisions, conditions and limitations hereinafter set forth and to authorize lenders, sellers and other creditors to charge up to the maximum interest rates or finance charges so fixed. The rates prescribed by the board are alternative rates and any creditor may utilize either the rate or rates set by the board or any other rate or rates which the creditor is permitted to charge under any other provision of this code.

(1) The director of the Governor’s office of Economic and Community Development;

(2) The West Virginia State Treasurer;

(3) The West Virginia Banking Commissioner;

(4) The deans of the schools of business and administration at Marshall University and West Virginia University;

(5) The Director of the Division of Consumer Protection of the Attorney General's Office; and

(6) Three members of the public appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate. The members of the public shall be appointed for terms of six years each, and until their successors are appointed and qualified; except that of the members first appointed, one shall be appointed for a term of two years, one for a term of four years and one for a term of six years. A member who has served one full term of six years shall be ineligible for appointment for the next succeeding term. Vacancies shall be filled by appointment of the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate, or if any vacancy remains unfilled for three months, by a majority vote of the board. The West Virginia Banking Commissioner shall serve as chairperson of the board and the rate or rates set by the board shall be determined by a majority vote of those members of the board in attendance at the respective board meeting.

(d) The West Virginia Lending and Credit Rate Board is hereby authorized and directed to meet after December 31, 1983, on the first Tuesday of April and on the first Tuesday of October of each year or more or less frequently as required by the circumstances and to prescribe by order a maximum rate of interest and finance charge for the next succeeding six months, effective on June 1 and on December 1, for any loans, credit sales or transactions, forbearance or similar transactions made pursuant to this section. In fixing said maximum rates of interest and finance charge, the board shall take into consideration prevailing economic conditions, including the monthly index of long-term United States government bond yields for the preceding calendar month, yields on conventional commercial short-term loans and notes throughout West Virginia and throughout the United States and on corporate interest-bearing securities of high quality, the availability of credit at reasonable rates to the citizens of this state which afford a competitive return to persons extending such credit and such other factors as the board may determine.

(e) Any petition proposing a change in the prescribed maximum rates of interest and finance charges must be filed in the office of the Banking Commissioner no later than the February 15 in order to be voted on at the board meeting on the first Tuesday of April and no later than August 15 in order to be voted on at the board meeting on the first Tuesday of October. Whenever any change in the prescribed maximum rates of interest and finance charges is proposed the board shall schedule a hearing, at least fifteen days prior to the board meeting at which the proposed rates of interest and finance charge will be voted on by the members of the board, and shall give all interested parties the opportunity to testify and to submit information at such public hearing that is relevant. Notice of the scheduled public hearing shall be issued and disseminated to the public at least twenty days prior to the scheduled date of the hearing.

(f) The board shall prescribe by order issued not later than April 20 and not later than October 20, in accordance with the provisions of subsection (d) of this section, the maximum rates of interest and finance charge for the next succeeding six months for any loan, credit sale, forbearance or similar transaction made pursuant to this section and shall cause such the maximum rate of interest and finance charge to be issued and disseminated to the public, such maximum rate of interest and finance charge to be effective on June 1 and December 1 for the next succeeding six months.

(g) Notwithstanding the other provisions of this chapter, the West Virginia Lending and Credit Rate Board shall not be required to meet if no petition has been filed with the board requesting a hearing and interest rates and economic conditions have not changed sufficiently to indicate that any change in the existing rate order would be required, and there are not at least two board members who concur that a meeting of the board is necessary. If the board does not meet, the maximum rates of interest and finance charges prescribed by the board in the existing rate order shall remain in full force and effect until the next time the board meets and prescribes different maximum rates of interest and finance charges.

(h) If circumstances and economic conditions require, the chairperson or any three board members, at any time, may call an emergency interim meeting of the West Virginia Lending and Credit Rate Board, at which time the chairperson shall give ten days’ notice of the scheduled emergency meeting to the public. All interested parties shall have the opportunity to be heard and to submit information at such the emergency meeting that is relevant. Any and all emergency rate board orders shall be effective within thirty days from the date of such the emergency meeting.

(i) Each member of the board, except those whose regular salary is paid by the State of West Virginia, shall receive $75 per diem while actually engaged in the performance of the duties of the board. Each member shall be reimbursed for all reasonable and necessary expenses actually incurred during the performance of their duties, except that in the event the expenses are paid by a third party the members shall not be reimbursed by the state. The reimbursement shall be paid out of the special revenue account of the Division of Banking upon a requisition upon the State Auditor, properly certified by the Banking Commissioner.

(j) In setting the maximum interest rates and finance charges, the board may set varying rates based on the type of credit transaction, the term of transaction, the type of debtor, the type of creditor and other factors relevant to determination of such determining the rates. In addition, the board may set varying rates for ranges of principal balances within a single category of credit transactions.

(k) Pursuant to the provisions of article ten, chapter four of this code, the West Virginia lending and credit rate board shall continue to exist until the first day of July, two thousand five.

Adopted

Rejected