The bill proposes the establishment of the West Virginia Coal Marketing Program, which will be administered by the Governor. The program aims to protect and expand coal markets and facilities in West Virginia while addressing the impacts of market changes on local communities. The Governor is required to allocate funds specifically for projects that benefit the public by enhancing coal markets or mitigating adverse effects on cities, towns, and counties. Additionally, the bill mandates that no funds can be disbursed without a legal certification from the Attorney General, and the Governor must report annually to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance regarding the funded projects.

To support the program, the bill appropriates $1 million from the general fund to the newly created West Virginia Coal Marketing Program account, which is designated solely for the program's purposes. The Governor is also authorized to accept various forms of financial contributions to further support the program. Furthermore, the bill empowers the Governor to create necessary rules for the program's implementation and establishes that the article will take effect 90 days after its passage.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 22-37-1, 22-37-2, 22-37-3, 22-37-4