Bill Text: WV SCR30 | 2018 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Requesting study of legal procedures and fiscal means for state to acquire idle railway property
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Republican 3-1)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2018-02-20 - To Judiciary [SCR30 Detail]
Download: West_Virginia-2018-SCR30-Introduced.html
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 30
(By Senators Maynard, Stollings, Boso, and Cline)
[Introduced February 19, 2018]
Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study legal procedures and fiscal means for the state to acquire additional idle railway property for use as public recreational rail-trails.
Whereas, The State of West Virginia has seen significant benefits from the conversion of former railroad rights-of-way into recreational rail-trails in several areas of the state and has even been able to incorporate two rail-trail areas into popular and scenic additions to our state parks system; and
Whereas, Rail-trail development in West Virginia has provided recreational opportunities that are attractive to families and to persons of all ages from both within and outside of the state; and
Whereas, Other railway properties, routes, and rights-of-way remain idle at various locations around the state and these locations would directly benefit from the development of new tourism opportunities; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is requested study legal procedures and fiscal means for the state to acquire additional idle railway property for use as public recreational rail-trails; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study legal procedures and fiscal means for the state to acquire additional idle railway property such as trackways, rights-of-way, and other real property through lease, purchase, easement, grant, gift, and other methods for use as public recreational rail-trails, including methods for relieving or protecting the railway owners of liability, and to identify those properties with the greatest potential for beneficial development as rail-trails; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance enlist the assistance of the Commissioner of Tourism and the Commissioner of the Division of Natural Resources in conducting the study; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2019, 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, prepare a report, and draft necessary legislation be paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.
