Opinion ID: 1344051
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: the annual report

Text: The petitioners allege, and the Commissioner admits, that the Commissioner has failed to file her department's report as required by W.Va.Code 23-1-17 [1974] [2] on or about the fifteenth day of September annually. The Commissioner points out that the period from 30 June until 15 September is the busiest season for her with regard to the revision of benefit rates, the recomputation of benefits and awards, the development of revised premium rates, the updating of reserve losses and other actuarial accounts, and accounting revisions in the operation of the disabled workers' relief fund and the coal workers' pneumoconiosis fund. She admits, however, that the statute is clear and unambiguous in its requirement that a report be completed on or about 15 September of each year and represents that steps are currently being taken to comply with the statute. We find that the Commissioner is required by Code 23-1-17 [1974] to issue her report on or about 15 September, and consequently, on this issue we hold that petitioners are entitled to mandamus relief.