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Committee sends House Bill 4419 to finance after hearing on required public hearings for toll increases
Summary
Counsel told the Senate Infrastructure Committee House Bill 4419 would require the Parkways Authority to hold county‑level public hearings with 14 days' notice before proposing increases in tolls, rents, fees or charges; senators expressed concern about potential effects on bond covenants and referred the bill to the Committee on Finance for fiscal vetting.
Senators on the Infrastructure Committee on Monday heard counsel explain House Bill 4419, which would require the West Virginia Parkways Authority to hold public hearings with at least 14 days' prior notice in each county transacted by the Turnpike before proposing increases in tolls, rents, fees or charges, and to show cause why the proposed increase is necessary for operational or maintenance needs.
Counsel told the committee the bill also would permit the joint committee on government and finance to audit the use and disposition of monies in sinking funds related to bonds at the request of that committee's chair. Counsel cautioned the bill contains language that could raise constitutional concerns and noted a fiscal note is on file. Senator Randolph urged referral to the Committee on Finance to ensure the committee properly vets fiscal impacts and potential effects on outstanding bond issuances.
Members discussed estimated bond issuances and possible effects on automatic fee increases. After debate, the committee adopted a motion to give House Bill 4419 a second reference to the Committee on Finance and then reported the engrossed bill to the Senate with recommendation that it do pass, while retaining the finance referral for detailed fiscal review.
The referral requires Finance Committee staff to review the fiscal note and bond covenants before further action in the Senate.
