West Virginia HCR98: Requesting Joint Committee on Government and Finance study enhancements to the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection’s Reclamation of Abandoned and Dilapidated Properties Program

What the bill says

From the engrossed text, April 8, 2025:

Committee Substitute for HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 98 (By Delegate G. Howell) [Originating in the Committee on Energy and Public Works; Reported on April 8, 2025] Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study enhancements to the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection's Reclamation of Abandoned and Dilapidated Properties Program and options to incentivize redevelopment of remediated properties to address housing shortages. Whereas, West Virginia communities continue to face persistent challenges related to abandoned, dilapidated, and blighted properties that pose threats to public health, safety, and economic development; and Whereas, The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection administers the Reclamation of Abandoned and Dilapidated Properties Program to provide grants and technical assistance for assessment and demolition of unsafe structures; and Whereas, While this program provides critical support, current law does not require reinvestment of proceeds from the sale of remediated properties into future remediation efforts, nor does it require that local governments dedicate fines collected from property maintenance violations toward further remediation; and Whereas, There is currently no requirement for local governments with adequate fiscal capacity to contribute financially to remediation efforts, and participating local governments should be required to demonstrate a meaningful financial commitment to ensure local accountability and shared investment in project success; and Whereas, Fines, fees, and penalties collected from violations of property maintenance codes, ordinances, or …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Howell, Gary G. (R, 087) · primary sponsor
• Hillenbrand, Rick (R, 088)

Common questions

What is HCR98?

HCR98 is a bill in the West Virginia Legislature (2025 Regular Session): Requesting Joint Committee on Government and Finance study enhancements to the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection’s Reclamation of Abandoned and Dilapidated Properties Program.

What does HCR98 do?

Requesting Joint Committee on Government and Finance study enhancements to the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection’s Reclamation of Abandoned and Delapidated Properties Program

What is the status of HCR98?

Introduced as of April 9, 2025.

Who sponsored HCR98?

Howell, Gary G. (R, 087), with 1 co-sponsor.

Where is the official record for HCR98?

On the West Virginia Legislature website: http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/Resolution_History.cfm?year=2025&sessiontype=RS&input4=98&billtype=CR&houseorig=H&btype=res