This bill amends sections 7-12-3, 7-12-3a, and 7-12-4 of the Code of West Virginia to establish stricter residency requirements for members of county and municipal development authorities. It mandates that all appointed members must be West Virginia residents who have maintained continuous residency in the state for at least five years prior to their appointment. Additionally, members must reside in the specific county or municipality where the development authority is located. The bill also specifies that any member who does not meet these residency requirements cannot be grandfathered in.

Furthermore, the bill introduces new qualifications for members, including a provision that any county board, commission, authority, or committee serving at the pleasure of the county commission must have had at least five years of residency in West Virginia and one year in the respective county. The language that previously allowed for members to be drawn from contiguous counties regardless of state residency has been deleted. The bill aims to ensure that those who serve on these authorities have a vested interest in the local community and its development.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 7-12-3, 7-12-3a, 7-12-4