§ 31-21-3 — Declaration of policy

(a) The Legislature finds and declares that developable land is one of West Virginia's most valuable resources in terms of net contributions to the state's economy and tax base.

(b) The Legislature further finds that:

(1) Due to topography, the state has somewhat limited amounts of developable land and that promoting the productive reuse of idled and underutilized commercial, industrial and mining properties will maximize this valuable resource and foster reuse of sites with existing public infrastructure;

(2) An entity that specializes in promoting the productive reuse of idled or underutilized commercial, industrial and mining properties will help the state and its citizenry to plan more wisely for sustainable property reuse and economic development efforts;

(3) An entity created to address and reduce regulatory and economic uncertainty by being a repository of site history and remediation information about formerly used properties can be a benefit to attracting new employers or encouraging businesses to relocate, remain or expand within the state;

(4) An entity that assists the Department of Environmental Protection with a voluntary land stewardship program for the long-term safeguarding of remediated sites using institutional controls and engineering controls can ensure that the remedy remains protective of human health and the environment;

(5) An entity that also assists in identifying formerly used properties that are ready for redevelopment and construction within twelve months or less from acquisition and certifies these properties as "project-ready" for specific industry profiles can increase economic development efforts within the state;

(6) An entity that also acts as a land bank to accept title to formerly used properties as an intermediary step to help seek a purchaser, and ready the properties for reuse through environmental assessment, remediation, building demolition or other efforts, can be a useful ally to the state, local governments, real estate developers and businesses for transacting property conveyances, redevelopment and creating or retaining jobs; and

(7) The promotion of private investment in our developable land and West Virginia businesses will reduce unemployment by creating new or maintaining existing opportunities for the citizens of this state.

Legislative History

2013 Reg. Sess., HB2590; 2012 Reg. Sess., SB552