Committee approves preference language for assessor nominations after Wetzel County assessor testifies

The Senate Government Organization Committee adopted a committee substitute for Senate Bill 8-92 that modifies the criteria for nomination of assessors to the Property Valuation Training and Procedures Commission (PVTPC), including preference for assessors who hold designations, licenses or certifications recognized by professional appraisal organizations.

William Scott Lumley, identified in the transcript as the assessor of Wetzel County, testified in favor of education and designation requirements, saying the PVTPC "determines the monitoring requirements for assessors" and that having "the most qualified, most educated" members would promote public trust in appraisal practices. Lumley told the committee he was not sure how many assessors statewide currently hold the described certifications but mentioned a small number by example.

Senators debated an amendment offered by the senator identified as from Upshur to strike the preference language; the sponsor said the change had been requested by a constituent. Committee counsel clarified the bill's language reads "the governor shall give preference" and that changing "shall" to "may" would make the preference permissive. After discussion and additional testimony from Lumley, senators rejected the amendment and agreed to the committee substitute language. The committee then voted to report the committee substitute to the full Senate with a recommendation that it pass; under the motion it will be first referred to the finance committee for a second reference.

The transcript records voice votes; the chair declared the ayes to have it on the committee-substitute language and on the motion to report. No roll-call tallies were recorded in the transcript.