The Senate Government Organization Committee met today to pass three bills out of the committee.
Senate Bill 588 relates to reproduction, distribution and sale of tax maps. The purpose of this bill is to create a funding source to distribute and reproduce the tax maps while also giving the public access to them. Paper and electronic tax maps will be made available for purchase from the county assessor. There would be no limit to the reproduction. There would be no liability to third parties for errors in the maps. Each map would be $25 and the revenue would be split throughout different funds.
Senator Sypolt (R-Preston) said the purpose of the bill is to get more information regarding tax in the hands of the people but also make it self-sustaining.
A representative of the Kanawha County Assessor’s Office said they were in support of the bill to have a new revenue stream in order to keep the maps updated and available.
The bill was reported to the full Senate with the recommendation that it pass.
Senate Bill 534 relates to incentives for consolidating local governments. The purpose of the bill is to provide incentives for local services to consolidate in order to save money and become more efficient.
Former Senator McCabe spoke in favor of the bill as council. He said, “This kind of legislation puts forth a mindset that can help us compete more at a national level.”
The bill was reported to the full Senate with the recommendation that it pass.
Senate Bill 501 relates to the WV Economic Development Authority. The bill was reported to the full Senate with the recommendation that it pass.
