§5B-3-2. The Joint Commission on Economic Development.

(a) The joint commission on economic development is hereby continued. The commission shall be comprised of an equal number of senators and delegates, as appointed by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Delegates.

The commission may explore how West Virginia can:

(1) Invest in systems that build workforce skills and promote lifelong learning to ensure a competitive workforce;

(2) Enhance the infrastructure, communications and transportation needed to support the knowledge-based industries and electronic commerce;

(3) Reorganize government to deliver services more efficiently, using technology, privatization and partnerships with the private sector;

(4) Align state tax systems to meet the demands of the twenty-first century economy;

(5) Develop more uniform regulatory and tax systems to reduce complexity, eliminate market distortions and better protect consumers;

(6) Support entrepreneurs by streamlining business regulations, providing timely decisions and assisting firms in their search for venture capital;

(7) Promote university policies that encourage research and development and build intellectual infrastructure;

(8) Address quality-of-life concerns to attract new businesses and workers; and

(9) Accomplish the goals set forth in this article and any other goal related to economic development or workforce investment that the commission considers important.

(b) The commission may propose legislation necessary to accomplish its goals.