ARTICLE 5. ACQUISITION AND DISPOSITION OF REAL PROPERTY BY AND BETWEEN PUBLIC BODIES.

§1-5-1. Legislative findings and purpose.

This article is enacted to facilitate and expedite the acquisition and disposition of real property by and between the state and its political subdivisions and county boards of education and by and between such political subdivisions and county boards of education, it being determined by the Legislature that through the evolution and growth of governmental processes, the duties, responsibilities and functions of various units of government have become intermingled and that such governmental units should be permitted to deal with one another on a direct and mutually beneficial basis with respect to such acquisition and disposition.

§1-5-2. Scope of article; public body defined.

The provisions of this article shall apply to the State of West Virginia, its agencies, departments, boards and commissions of whatever description, county courts or tribunals in lieu thereof, county boards of education, incorporated municipalities or any other political subdivisions.

For the purpose of this article, the term “public body” shall mean the State of West Virginia, or any agency, department, board or commission thereof of whatever description, or any county court or tribunal in lieu thereof, or any county board of education, or any incorporated municipality, or any other political subdivision.

§1-5-3. Acquisition and disposition of real property; approval by board of public works; conveyances.

Any public body is hereby authorized and empowered to acquire by purchase, transfer or exchange any real property owned by any other public body, and any public body is hereby authorized and empowered to dispose of by sale, transfer or exchange to or with any other public body any real property owned by it, any such acquisition or disposition to be upon such terms and conditions as may be agreed upon by and between the public bodies, taking into consideration (1) the lack of need for such property by the public body holding title thereto; (2) the need for such property by the public body desiring to acquire title thereto; and (3) the benefits to be derived by the public as a result of such acquisition or disposition: Provided, That any acquisition or disposition by the state, or any agency, department, board or commission thereof, must first be approved in writing by the board of public works. All conveyances of any such real property shall be by deed or deeds, as the case may be, in the manner provided by law for the conveyance of real property.

§1-5-4. Repeal.

All acts or parts of acts which are inconsistent with the provisions of this article are hereby repealed to the extent of such inconsistency.

§1-5-5. Severability.

If any provision of this article or the application thereof to any person or circumstance is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of this article, and to this end the provisions of this article are declared to be severable.