CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Conference committees of senators and delegates will be named to work out differences in two bills that are part of Gov. Jim Justice’s highways package.
Bills that would increase the capacity for the state Division of Highways to take on public private partnerships and design-build projects were passed through both houses with some differences amended in.
The conference committee would work out the differences and compromise on a way both houses could agree upon.
Earlier Friday, the House of Delegates voted to approve separate legislation relating to highways.
Senate Joint Resolution 6, also called the Roads to Prosperity Amendment, authorizes the Governor to put a road bond before the voters. The resolution says that when a bond is approved, the legislature shall provide for a collection of taxes to pay for the bonds.
Earlier this week, two of Governor Jim Justice’s key road bills died when they were not taken up in the House Finance Committee.
SB 477 would have raised DMV fees, increasing vehicle registration costs from $30 to $50 for example, and added 4.5 cents to the state tax on gasoline to generate more money for the State Road Fund. Currently, the state gas tax is 20.5 cents.
The Senate approved SB 477 with a 27-6 vote on March 25.
SB 482 dealing with the West Virginia Parkways Authority would have extended tolls on the West Virginia Turnpike and raised those tolls by $1 to fund road projects in other parts of West Virginia.
The Senate approved SB 482 with a 26-8 on March 29.
Both were not put on the House Finance agenda.
Shauna Johnson contributed to this story.
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