(a)There is hereby established the Public Water System Supply Study Commission which is created for the purpose of studying and reporting back to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance on the following subject matters:
(1)A review and assessment of the effectiveness and the quality of information contained in updated source water protection plans required for certain public water systems by the provisions of section nine-c, article one, chapter sixteen of this code;
(2)A review and assessment of the effectiveness of legislation enacted during the 2014 Regular Session of the West Virginia Legislature, as it pertains to assisting public water systems in identifying and reacting or responding to identified potential sources of significant contamination, and increasing public aware
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(a) There is hereby established the Public Water System Supply Study Commission which is created for the purpose of studying and reporting back to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance on the following subject matters:
(1) A review and assessment of the effectiveness and the quality of information contained in updated source water protection plans required for certain public water systems by the provisions of section nine-c, article one, chapter sixteen of this code;
(2) A review and assessment of the effectiveness of legislation enacted during the 2014 Regular Session of the West Virginia Legislature, as it pertains to assisting public water systems in identifying and reacting or responding to identified potential sources of significant contamination, and increasing public awareness and public participation in the emergency planning and response process;
(3) The extent of available financing and funding alternatives which are available to existing public water systems to pursue projects which are designed to create alternate sources of supply or increased stability of supply in the event of a spill, release or contamination event which impairs the water system's primary source of supply;
(4) A review and consideration of the recommendations of the U. S. Chemical Safety and Hazard and Investigation Board after its investigation of the Bayer Crop Science incident of 2008; and
(5) Any recommendations or suggestions the study commission may offer to improve the infrastructure of existing public water systems, to provide safe and reliable sources of supplies, and to pursue other measures designed to protect the integrity of public water service.
(b) The study commission shall consist of the following twelve members, who shall be appointed and comprised as follows:
(1) Four members appointed by the Governor, one of whom shall be a professional engineer experienced in the design and construction of public water systems; one of whom shall be a hydrologist or other expert experienced in determining the flow characteristics of rivers and streams; one of whom shall be an environmental toxicologist or other public health expert who is familiar with the impact of contaminants on the human body; and one citizen representative;
(2) One representative designated by the Rural Water Association;
(3) One representative designated by the Municipal League;
(4) The Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection or his or her designee;
(5) The Commissioner of the Bureau for Public Health or his or her designee who shall serve as chair;
(6) The Director of the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management or his or her designee;
(7) The Chairman of the Public Service Commission or his or her designee;
(8) Two representatives designated by the Business Industry Council; and
(9) One representative designated by West Virginia Rivers Coalition.
(c) Reports by the Commission shall be submitted to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance on or before December 15 of each year, beginning December 15, 2014.
(d) The study commission shall terminate on June 30, 2019.