The West Virginia Senate Economic Development Committee has approved a bill that would allow Department of Commerce subagencies to contract for the management of state forests and wildlife management areas to prevent wildfires. Senate Bill 688 would allow the directors of the Division of Forestry and Division of Natural Resources to award management contracts notwithstanding the competitive bidding process, when the contract is needed for an economic development project.
The West Virginia Senate Economic Development Committee approved a bill that would set up a new authority board, called the West Virginia Advanced Energy and Economic Corridor Authority, to foster economic and infrastructure development in McDowell, Mercer, Mingo and Wayne counties. The bill advanced after the committee removed a provision that required a commitment to a net-zero carbon footprint.
A West Virginia Senate committee has approved a bill that would create a trust fund to prioritize nature-based flood protection and prevention solutions for low-income areas with a potential but