SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 29

(By Senators Blair (Mr. President), Barrett, Boley, Clements, Grady, Hamilton, Jeffries, Maynard, Nelson, Oliverio, Phillips, Queen, Roberts, Stuart, Takubo, Tarr, Taylor, Woodrum, Martin, Karnes, and Deeds)

[Introduced February 15, 2024]

Expressing concerns regarding regulatory overreach impacting the chemical industry and urging the Biden Administration and Congress to reevaluate proposed restrictions.

Whereas, The State of West Virginia recognizes the vital role played by the chemical industry in the economic development, national security, and technological innovations of the United States; and

Whereas, The chemical industry is a cornerstone of our nation's economy, contributing over $600 billion in economic impact, supporting more than half a million jobs, and constituting 25 percent of the GDP; and

Whereas, The chemical industry is instrumental in providing essential products and innovations that drive progress in areas such as housing, infrastructure, healthcare, telecommunications, and clean energy solutions; and

Whereas, The success of the chemical industry is crucial to maintaining America's global competitiveness and achieving national priorities; and

Whereas, Recent regulatory actions and proposed restrictions by the Biden Administration and its agencies have raised concerns about the impact on the chemical industry's ability to innovate, create products, and contribute to the nation's economic growth; and

Whereas, These new restrictions have the potential to limit access to, and increase the cost of, essential products, negatively impacting the U.S. economy, jeopardizing American competitiveness, and delaying progress in industries with urgent and growing needs; and

Whereas, There are currently 13 proposed new restrictions with the potential to directly impact the chemical industry, ranging from outright bans on certain chemistries to regulations that may render manufacturing unviable or impossible; and

Whereas, These restrictions may have detrimental effects on the supply chains for vital technologies, including semiconductors, electric vehicles, and modern healthcare applications; and

            Whereas, The proposed restrictions contradict policy priorities set forth by laws such as the Inflation Reduction Act, Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and the CHIPS and Science Act; and

Whereas, Responsible regulation that prioritizes science, promotes innovation, and supports supply chain resiliency is essential to achieving national goals; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Legislature hereby expresses concerns about the potential adverse impact of regulatory overreach on the chemical industry and its contributions to the nation's economic prosperity; and, be it  

Further Resolved, That the West Virginia Legislature calls on the Biden Administration, federal agencies, and Congress to reevaluate proposed restrictions on the chemical industry, ensuring that regulations are based on sound science, promote innovation, and support supply chain resiliency; an, be it   

Further Resolved, That the West Virginia Legislature urges the Biden Administration, federal agencies, and Congress to support frameworks that celebrate innovation and accelerate progress in the chemical industry; and be it

Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the Senate is hereby directed to forward copies of this resolution to the President of the United States, West Virginia’s congressional delegation, and relevant federal agencies to inform them of the concerns and recommendations expressed herein.