The Roads and Transportation Committee met today and discussed HB 2007.
HB 2007 would eliminate the courtesy patrol programs operated by the Division of Highways and the Parkways Authority.
Originally, the funding from these programs was to be transferred into the general revenue, but the committee amended it to send the funds into the State Road Fund.
This isn’t the first time discussion on a bill of this nature has come up. Delegate Jim Butler mentioned that he proposed a similar bill a few years back. Other delegates remembered speaking to a similar bill last session.
Delegate Ed Evans discussed how beneficial the courtesy patrol is to the state. He said the officers are the “primary eyes and ears on the road for Amber Alert.” He pointed out that they’ve administered CPR to people and saved lives.
Delegate Boggs opposed the bill. He said that on his way to Charleston from Braxton County there were 11 vehicles on the side of I-79 and six of those vehicles had people in them; the others had bags over the window. The courtesy patrol provides to those who are stranded.
Delegate Jim Butler supported the bill, stating that when he did his research, years ago, it cost $300 per stop by the courtesy patrol. He stated that the program was “not a very wise use of taxpayers’ money.”
Delegate Howe rose in support of the bill. He stated that 73% of people have roadside assistance insurance. If this program cost $4 million, we are spending money and stopping $3 million from coming into the state from insurance companies. He said looking at the deficient; it’s important to remember “4 million here, 4 million there, it all adds up.”
Delegate Hamrick looked up his GEICO insurance bill and found that he pays a little over $6 every six months for roadside assistance. He supported the bill.
The bill passed through the Roads and Transportation Committee with the recommendation it be sent to the floor after being sent to the Finance Committee.
