The Senate Transportation and Infrastructure Committee has approved two bills to be reported to the full Senate with the recommendation that they pass.
SB 414 would create the Division of Multimodal Transportation under the Secretary of Transportation and combine the employees, equipment, assets, liabilities and duties previously executed by the Public Port Authority, the state Aeronautics Commission and the West Virginia State Rail Authority.
The fiscal note shows the bill would save the state $2,250 annually.
The bill will be referred to Senate Government Organization once reported.
SB 482 would grant authority to the Parkways Authority to issue revenue bonds and refunding bonds for the purpose of financing parkway projects within the state.
Gregory Barr, general manager for the West Virginia Parkways Authority, spoke in support of the bill’s passage and answered questions from members.
Bond counsel for the Authority, Brian Helmick explained more about toll road responsibilities related to the bill.
Senator Patricia Rucker, R-Jefferson, made an amendment to the bill to increase the transparency of the discussion topics or actions of the Parkway Authority to the public at least 20 days before meetings.
The bill contains a second reference to Senate Finance once reported.
The committee will meet tomorrow at 1 p.m. in 451M.
