Bill Text: WV SCR10 | 2024 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Urging WV congressional delegation support legislation authorizing county governments to sell FEMA property
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Engrossed) 2024-01-16 - To House Government Organization [SCR10 Detail]
Download: West_Virginia-2024-SCR10-Introduced.html
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 10
(By Senator Woodrum)
[Introduced January 12, 2024]
Urging the West Virginia congressional delegation to support legislation that would authorize county governments to sell Federal Emergency Management Agency property that has been placed in their custody by the federal government.
Whereas, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) acquires properties in flood-prone areas through voluntary buyout programs or as a result of disaster declarations; and
Whereas, FEMA transfers the ownership and maintenance of these properties to county governments, subject to certain deed restrictions that prohibit any development or use of the land other than as open space; and
Whereas, These deed restrictions limit the ability of county governments to generate revenue from these properties, which are removed from the tax rolls and often become a burden for local officials and residents; and
Whereas, County governments should have the option to sell these properties, with appropriate safeguards to ensure compliance with existing floodplain regulations and to protect public safety and environmental quality; and
Whereas, Such sales would benefit county governments by generating income, reducing maintenance costs, and restoring taxable value to the land; and
Whereas, Such sales would also benefit the state by increasing its tax base, promoting economic development, and enhancing local control over land use decisions; and
Whereas, Such sales would require an amendment to the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.), which governs FEMA's acquisition and disposition of property; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Legislature hereby urges the West Virginia congressional delegation to support legislation that would authorize county governments to sell Federal Emergency Management Agency property that has been placed in their custody by the federal government; and, be it
Further resolved, That the Clerk of the Senate is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to each member of West Virginia’s congressional delegation.
