reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
WV Code § 7-27-42 (2021)
2021 West Virginia Code|Chapter 7. County Commissions and Officers|Article 27. Letting Our Counties Act Locally Act|§7-27-42. Early Retirement of Special Revenue Bonds; Termination of County Transportation Sales and Use Taxes; Excess Funds

(a) General. – When special revenue bonds have been issued as provided in this article and the amount of county transportation sales and use taxes collected, less costs of administration, collection and enforcement, exceeds the amount needed to pay project costs and annual debt service, including the funding of required debt service and maintenance reserves, if any, the additional amount remaining in the county's subaccount in the County Road Improvement Account shall be used to retire outstanding revenue bonds before their maturity date in accordance with the terms of such bonds.(b) Termination of county transportation sales and use taxes. – Once the special revenue bonds issued as provided in this article are no longer outstanding or have been defeased, and no additional road construction projects have been requested and approved by the Commissioner of Highways, the county transportation sales and use taxes shall be discontinued by order adopted by the county commission as provided in this article. Termination of the county transportation sales and use taxes as provided in this section may not bar or otherwise prevent the Tax Commissioner from collecting county transportation sales and use taxes that accrued before the termination date and the rights of the state and the taxpayers as to those taxes shall be preserved.(c) Excess funds. – After all intergovernmental agreements with the Commissioner of Highways have ended and all debt service on special revenue bonds issued to finance, in whole or in part, the road construction projects has been paid or provided for, and county transportation sales and use taxes imposed by the county have terminated, the Commissioner of Highways shall forward the unencumbered balance of moneys remaining in the county's subaccount in the County Road Improvement Account to the county commission of that county for deposit in the county's general fund.
WV Code § 7-27-43 (2021)
2021 West Virginia Code|Chapter 7. County Commissions and Officers|Article 27. Letting Our Counties Act Locally Act|§7-27-43. Powers Supplemental

§7-27-43. Powers supplemental.(a) County commissions. – The powers conferred by this article are in addition and supplemental to the powers conferred upon county commissions by the Legislature elsewhere in this chapter.(b) Commissioner of Highways. – The powers conferred by this article are in addition and supplemental to the powers conferred upon the Commissioner of Highways, the Division of Highways, and the Department of Transportation by the Legislature elsewhere in this code.(c) West Virginia Economic Development Authority. - The powers conferred by this article are in addition and supplemental to the powers conferred upon the West Virginia Economic Development Authority by the Legislature elsewhere in this code.
WV Code § 7-27-44 (2021)
2021 West Virginia Code|Chapter 7. County Commissions and Officers|Article 27. Letting Our Counties Act Locally Act|§7-27-44. Public Officials Exempt From Personal Liability

No member of a county commission or other county officer may be personally liable on any contract or obligation executed pursuant to the authority contained in this article, nor may these contracts or obligations or the issuance of revenue bonds by the Authority secured by county transportation sales and use taxes imposed by county commissions under this article be considered as misfeasance in office.
WV Code § 7-27-45 (2021)
2021 West Virginia Code|Chapter 7. County Commissions and Officers|Article 27. Letting Our Counties Act Locally Act|§7-27-45. Severability

If any section, subsection, subdivision, paragraph, sentence, clause or phrase of this article is for any reason held to be invalid, unlawful or unconstitutional, that decision does not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this article or any part thereof.
WV Code § 7A-1-1 (2021)
2021 West Virginia Code|Chapter 7A. Consolidated Local Government|Article 1. General Provisions|§7A-1-1. Short Title

This chapter may be known and cited as the Consolidated Local Government Act.
WV Code § 7A-1-2 (2021)
2021 West Virginia Code|Chapter 7A. Consolidated Local Government|Article 1. General Provisions|§7A-1-2. Legislative Findings

(a) The Legislature finds that:(1) The fiscal viability of municipal and county governments is challenged by changing demographics and tax bases;(2) With many local governments there is significant duplicity of services;(3) Certain local governments are at their taxable limits and yet are facing fee increases to remain financially viable; and(4) Local governments should perform at the highest level of efficiency and economy while providing the highest standards of governmental services to their citizens.(b) The Legislature finds that consolidation of local governments:(1) Is in the public interest;(2) Would help promote economic growth and development;(3) Would help local governments provide more efficient local services and more effective public administration; and(4) Would keep local governments viable and provide more governing flexibility.(c) Therefore, in order to attain high standards of efficiency, economy, service and flexibility and to assure the ongoing improvement in the quality of life of all citizens of the state, the Legislature hereby encourages and permits all local governments to consolidate part or all of their governmental and corporate functions.
WV Code § 7A-1-3 (2021)
2021 West Virginia Code|Chapter 7A. Consolidated Local Government|Article 1. General Provisions|§7A-1-3. Definitions

For the purposes of this article, the following words have the meanings assigned unless the context indicates otherwise:(1) "Affected municipality", "affected county", "affected metro government" or "affected area", or the plural, mean municipalities, counties or metro governments in the territory encompassed by the proposed charter of a consolidated local government.(2) "Consolidated local government", or the plural, means a type of government that encompasses municipal consolidation, county consolidation and metro consolidation.(3) "County consolidation" and "consolidated county" mean the consolidation of two or more counties as defined by the charter.(4) "Governing body", or the plural, means the body charged with the responsibility of enacting laws and determining public policy of a municipal or county government or local consolidated government.(5) "Metro consolidation" and "metro government" mean the consolidation of one or more counties and a principal city as defined by the charter.(6) "Municipal consolidation" and "consolidated municipality" mean the consolidation of two or more municipalities, including cities, towns and villages, as defined by the charter.(7) "Principal city" means the municipality with the largest population in the territory encompassed by the proposed charter of the consolidated local government.
WV Code § 7A-1-4 (2021)
2021 West Virginia Code|Chapter 7A. Consolidated Local Government|Article 1. General Provisions|§7A-1-4. Authority to Consolidate

(a) A municipality, county or metro government in this state is authorized to form a consolidated local government with another municipality, county or metro government upon approval by the voters of the affected areas.(b) The Legislature has the Constitutional authority to permit municipalities to consolidate pursuant to section thirty-nine-a, article VI of the West Virginia Constitution permitting home rule for municipalities. Pursuant to section thirteen, article IX of the West Virginia Constitution permitting reformation of county commissions, the Legislature has the authority to permit counties to consolidate and municipalities and counties to consolidate to create a new executive or legislative tribunal, or both, in the form of a metro government that performs both the duties of a municipality and a county.
WV Code § 7A-2-2 (2021)
2021 West Virginia Code|Chapter 7A. Consolidated Local Government|Article 2. Powers and Limitations|§7A-2-2. Jurisdiction

A consolidated local government has the power and jurisdiction specified in its charter and otherwise provided by law.
WV Code § 7A-2-3 (2021)
2021 West Virginia Code|Chapter 7A. Consolidated Local Government|Article 2. Powers and Limitations|§7A-2-3. Continued Existence of Laws

Rules, ordinances, resolutions and other effects of law in force within an affected municipality, county or metro government at the time of consolidation that do not conflict with the charter remain in effect until superceded by specific action of the new governing body of the consolidated local government.
WV Code § 7A-2-4 (2021)
2021 West Virginia Code|Chapter 7A. Consolidated Local Government|Article 2. Powers and Limitations|§7A-2-4. Limitations of a Consolidated Local Government

(a) Public school districts, library districts, fire districts, special taxing districts and public service districts are not affected by consolidation under this chapter.(b) The adoption of a charter does not alter any right or liability of an affected municipality, county or metro government in effect at the time the charter becomes effective. Ordinances and resolutions relating to public improvements to be paid for, in whole or in part, by special assessments remain in effect until paid in full.
WV Code § 7A-3-1 (2021)
2021 West Virginia Code|Chapter 7A. Consolidated Local Government|Article 3. Initiating Consolidation and Establishing Charter Review Committee|§7A-3-1. Initiating Consolidation

(a) Consolidation may be initiated by:(1) A petition signed by at least twenty-five percent of the qualified voters of each affected municipality for a municipal consolidation, each affected county for a county consolidation or each affected principal city and of the entire county excluding the principal city for a metro consolidation; or(2) A resolution by the governing body of each affected municipality for a municipal consolidation, each affected county for a county consolidation or each affected principal city and county for a metro consolidation.(b) The petition or resolution shall be submitted to the county commission of the affected county for all types of consolidation.(c) Upon receipt, the county commission shall, within thirty days, verify the petition or resolution and either oversee the establishment of a charter review committee as provided in this chapter or reject the petition or resolution for insufficiency.(d) If the county commission rejects the petition or resolution, the rejection shall be in writing stating how the insufficiency may be corrected and that the petition or resolution may be resubmitted within ninety days.
WV Code § 7A-3-2 (2021)
2021 West Virginia Code|Chapter 7A. Consolidated Local Government|Article 3. Initiating Consolidation and Establishing Charter Review Committee|§7A-3-2. Municipal Charter Review Committee

(a) A municipal charter review committee shall be established within thirty days of the county commission verifying the petition or resolution proposing consolidation.(b) A municipal charter review committee consists of the following members:(1) Two government officials or their designees from each affected municipality appointed by their respective governing bodies;(2) One county commissioner or his or her designee appointed by the county commission from each county where the affected municipalities are located; and(3) Two or three public members elected during executive session by the other members to make the number of charter review committee members an odd number.(c) A municipal charter review committee continues to exist until it is dissolved pursuant to the charter or the final disapproval of the charter.
WV Code § 7A-3-3 (2021)
2021 West Virginia Code|Chapter 7A. Consolidated Local Government|Article 3. Initiating Consolidation and Establishing Charter Review Committee|§7A-3-3. County Charter Review Committee

(a) A county charter review committee shall be established within thirty days of the county commissions verifying the petition or resolution proposing consolidation.(b) A county charter review committee consists of the following members:(1) Two county commissioners or their designees from each affected county appointed by their respective county commissions; and(2) Three public members, including one from an unincorporated area, elected during executive session by the other charter review committee members.(c) A county charter review committee continues to exist until it is dissolved pursuant to the charter or the final disapproval of the charter.
WV Code § 7A-3-4 (2021)
2021 West Virginia Code|Chapter 7A. Consolidated Local Government|Article 3. Initiating Consolidation and Establishing Charter Review Committee|§7A-3-4. Metro Charter Review Committee

(a) A metro charter review committee shall be established within thirty days of the county commission verifying the petition or resolution proposing consolidation.(b) A metro charter review committee consists of the following members:(1) Two government officials or their designees from the principal city appointed by the governing body of the principal city;(2) Two county commissioners or their designees from each affected county appointed by their respective county commissions;(3) If the principal city is located in two counties and one is not participating in consolidation, then one county commissioner or his or her designee from the county not participating in consolidation appointed by the county commission; and(4) Two or three public members, including one from an unincorporated area, elected by the other members to make the number of charter review committee members an odd number.(c) A metro charter review committee continues to exist until it is dissolved pursuant to the charter or the final disapproval of the charter.
WV Code § 7A-3-5 (2021)
2021 West Virginia Code|Chapter 7A. Consolidated Local Government|Article 3. Initiating Consolidation and Establishing Charter Review Committee|§7A-3-5. Duties and Powers of Charter Review Committee

(a) A charter review committee shall study consolidation and the feasibility of consolidation.(b) A charter review committee shall:(1) Elect officers from committee members;(2) Adopt rules;(3) Prepare a budget; and(4) Conduct public hearings;(c) A charter review committee may:(1) Create subcommittees and working groups to include other government officials and diverse public representatives;(2) Prepare a written charter;(3) Employ staff;(4) Contract with consultants;(5) Work with agencies of affected local governments; and(6) Engage in other activities necessary to facilitate the intent of this chapter.(d) A majority of committee members is a quorum for transaction of business and adopting the charter.(e) Vacancies on the charter review committees shall be filled in the same manner as provided for in this article.
WV Code § 7A-3-6 (2021)
2021 West Virginia Code|Chapter 7A. Consolidated Local Government|Article 3. Initiating Consolidation and Establishing Charter Review Committee|§7A-3-6. Expenses of Charter Review Committee

Members of a charter review committee serve without compensation, but are entitled to reimbursement by the charter review committee for necessary expenses incurred by them in the performance of their official duties.
WV Code § 7A-3-7 (2021)
2021 West Virginia Code|Chapter 7A. Consolidated Local Government|Article 3. Initiating Consolidation and Establishing Charter Review Committee|§7A-3-7. Budget of Charter Review Committee

(a) A charter review committee shall submit a budget to the governing bodies of each affected municipality for a municipal consolidation, each affected county for a county consolidation and each affected principal city and county for a metro consolidation. A charter review committee shall pursue public and private funds to augment its budget. The budget shall state in writing the amount each governing body shall pay, which shall be proportionately based on population.(b) Within thirty days of receiving the charter review committee's budget, the governing body of each affected municipality, county and metro government shall either approve the budget or recommend written amendments to the budget.(c) If amendments are recommended, then the charter review committee shall reconsider the budget and resubmit the budget to the governing bodies for approval within thirty days.(d) The governing body of each affected municipality, county and metro government shall assist the charter review committee and provide office space if needed.
WV Code § 7A-4-1 (2021)
2021 West Virginia Code|Chapter 7A. Consolidated Local Government|Article 4. Charter Review Committee|§7A-4-1. Study by Charter Review Committee and Draft of Proposed Charter

(a) The charter review committee shall study matters relating to the feasibility of consolidation.(b) The charter review committee shall further address in the charter the powers and authority of the proposed consolidated local government, including, but not limited to:(1) The territory encompassed by the consolidated local government, including all affected municipalities, counties and metro governments, or parts thereof, to be included in the boundaries of the consolidated local government;(2) The fiscal impact of the proposed consolidation on the affected municipalities, counties and metro governments including:(A) The cost of providing services by the consolidated local government;(B) Projected revenues available to the consolidated local government based upon proposed classifications and tax structures; and(C) Projected economies of scale resulting from consolidation;(3) The name of the proposed consolidated local government;(4) The seat of the proposed consolidated local government;(5) The representation plan based upon population for the territory encompassed by the consolidation consistent with state and federal law to include consideration of under represented areas and minorities;(6) The creation of the governing body of the proposed consolidated local government, including an odd number of governing officers of not less than five, their qualifications for holding office, titles, powers, duties, terms of office, manner of election, compensation, method of removal, role of Constitutional officers in new government and other pertinent matters consistent with state and federal law;(7) The effective date of the charter once consolidation is approved by the electorate;(8) A procedure for the efficient and timely transition of specified services, functions and responsibilities from each affected municipality, county and metro government and its respective departments and agencies to the consolidated local government to occur within two years from the date the charter becomes effective; and(9) The method by which a consolidated local government may dissolve after existing for a minimum of six years.(c) The charter review committee shall complete its study and draft a proposed charter within two years from the date of its organizational meeting.(d) With regard to a proposed metro consolidation, the metro charter review committee may utilize one of the plans for organizing a municipal government described in section two, article three, chapter eight of this code in the charter for the metro government, but is not limited to these forms of government.
WV Code § 7A-4-2 (2021)
2021 West Virginia Code|Chapter 7A. Consolidated Local Government|Article 4. Charter Review Committee|§7A-4-2. Public Hearings

(a) The charter review committee shall hold a public hearing within three months of the organizational meeting or reconvening, a public hearing within six months of its organizational meeting or reconvening and a public hearing within eleven months of its organizational meeting or reconvening prior to finalizing its draft of the proposed charter. The committee is authorized to hold additional public hearings.(b) The date, time, place and agenda of the public hearing shall be published as a Class II legal advertisement in a newspaper of general circulation in the affected areas.
WV Code § 7A-4-3 (2021)
2021 West Virginia Code|Chapter 7A. Consolidated Local Government|Article 4. Charter Review Committee|§7A-4-3. Approval of Proposed Charter and Submission to Governing Bodies

(a) Following its final public hearing, the charter review committee shall vote on the proposed charter.(b) Once approved by a majority vote of the charter review committee, the proposed charter shall be submitted within ten days to the governing bodies of the affected municipalities, counties and metro governments to be voted upon by the electorate.
WV Code § 7A-5-1 (2021)
2021 West Virginia Code|Chapter 7A. Consolidated Local Government|Article 5. Municipal Consolidation Election|§7A-5-1. Expenses for Election

The governing body of each affected municipality is responsible for the expenses of holding an election on the question of municipal consolidation.
WV Code § 7A-5-2 (2021)
2021 West Virginia Code|Chapter 7A. Consolidated Local Government|Article 5. Municipal Consolidation Election|§7A-5-2. Notice for Election

(a) At least sixty days prior to the election on the question of municipal consolidation, the governing body of each affected municipality shall make copies of the proposed charter available to the public.(b) At least fourteen days prior to the election on the question of municipal consolidation, the governing bodies of the affected municipalities shall publish the proposed charter and provide notice of the election, as a Class II legal advertisement, in a newspaper of general circulation in the affected areas. The affected municipalities may share the expense of publication.
WV Code § 7A-5-3 (2021)
2021 West Virginia Code|Chapter 7A. Consolidated Local Government|Article 5. Municipal Consolidation Election|§7A-5-3. Election and Ballots for Municipal Consolidation

(a) After receiving the proposed charter from the municipal charter review committee, the governing bodies of the affected municipalities shall hold an election on the question of consolidation at the next primary or general election in accordance with applicable election laws and section two of this article.(b) The ballots for the election on consolidation shall be as follows:[ ] For [ ] Against
WV Code § 7A-5-4 (2021)
2021 West Virginia Code|Chapter 7A. Consolidated Local Government|Article 5. Municipal Consolidation Election|§7A-5-4. Approval of Municipal Consolidation and Charter

If at least fifty-five percent of the legal votes cast by the qualified voters of each of the affected municipalities approve consolidation, then consolidation becomes effective pursuant to the charter.
WV Code § 7A-5-5 (2021)
2021 West Virginia Code|Chapter 7A. Consolidated Local Government|Article 5. Municipal Consolidation Election|§7A-5-5. Rejection of Charter and Reconsideration Process

(a) If less than fifty-five percent of the legal votes cast by the qualified voters of any of the affected municipalities approve consolidation, then consolidation is defeated. The charter review committee may reconvene for up to one year to adopt a second proposed charter.(b) When the second proposed charter is adopted by the municipal charter review committee, then the governing bodies of the affected municipalities shall hold another election on the second proposed charter at the next primary or general election in accordance with applicable election laws and section two of this article.(c) The ballots for the election on the second proposed charter shall be as follows:[ ] For [ ] Against (d) If the second proposed charter is not approved by at least fifty-five percent of the legal votes cast by the qualified voters of the affected municipalities, then the proposed consolidation is defeated. A new municipal charter review committee cannot be established for at least two years after the second proposed charter is defeated.