CHAPTER 10. PUBLIC LIBRARIES; PUBLIC RECREATION; ATHLETIC ESTABLISHMENTS; MONUMENTS AND MEMORIALS; ROSTER OF SERVICEMEN; EDUCATIONAL BROADCASTING AUTHORITY.

ARTICLE 1. PUBLIC LIBRARIES.

§10-1-1. "Public library" and "governing authority" defined.

The term "public library" as used in this article shall be construed to mean a library maintained wholly or in part by any governing authority from funds derived by taxation and the services of which are free to the public, except for those charges for which provision may be made elsewhere in this article. The term shall not, however, include special libraries, such as law, medical or other professional libraries, or school libraries which are maintained primarily for school purposes. The term "governing authority" shall be construed to mean county court, county board of education or the governing body of any municipality.

§10-1-2. Power of governing authority to establish and maintain libraries; financing.

A governing authority either by itself or in cooperation with one or more other such governing authorities, shall have the power to establish, equip and maintain a public library, or to take over, maintain or support any public library already established. Any library established, maintained or supported by a governing authority may be financed either (1) by the appropriation from the General Funds of the governing authority of a sum sufficient for the purpose, or (2) by the imposition of an excess levy for library purposes, in accordance with the provisions of section sixteen, article eight, chapter eleven of this code.

Such sums as are appropriated hereunder may be transferred to the public library board for deposit and disbursement as the public library board shall direct. By such transfer the governing authority designates the public library board as its disbursing agent.

§10-1-3. Regional library defined; apportionment of regional library expenses.

A regional library is a public library established and/or maintained by two or more counties, by action of their governing authorities, under the terms of a contract to which they all agree. The expenses of the regional library shall be apportioned between or among the counties concerned on such a basis as shall be agreed upon in the contract.

§10-1-3a. Authority of regional library board to disburse funds.

The governing authorities which maintain a regional library may contribute the apportioned sum to the regional library board, such contributions to be deposited as the regional library board shall direct and to be disbursed by the officer designated by that board. By such contribution the governing authority designates the regional library board as its disbursing agent.

§10-1-4. Contract with existing public library.

The governing authority may, in lieu of supporting and maintaining its own public library, enter into a contract with an existing public library and make annual payments of money to such library, whose library materials and services shall be available without charge to all persons living within the area represented by such governing authority. Any school board may contract for school library service from an existing public library which shall agree to furnish books to a school or schools under the terms of the contract.

All money paid to a library under such a contract shall be expended solely for the maintenance and support of the library.

§10-1-5. Board of library directors -- Qualifications; term of office; vacancies; removal; no compensation.

(a) Whenever a public library is established under this article, the governing authority or authorities shall appoint a board of directors with five members chosen with reference to their fitness for such office, from:

(1) The citizens of the library's service area, as determined by the Library Commission; or

(2) The county in which the library is located.

(b) The board of directors for a regional library shall consist of not less than five nor more than ten members, with a minimum of one member from each county in the region. The total number of directors and the apportionment of directors by county shall be determined by joint action of the governing authorities concerned.

(c) The term of office for a director is five years from July 1, following the appointment. Directors may serve until their successors are appointed and qualified.

(d) For a new board of directors under this article, the initial appointment of the directors shall be staggered. Thereafter all appointments shall be for terms of five years.

(e) Vacancies in the board shall be immediately reported by the board to the governing authority and filled by appointment. Vacancies for an unexpired term shall be immediately reported by the board to the governing authority and filled by appointment for the remainder of the term only.

(f) A director may be removed for just cause in the manner provided by the bylaws of the library board.

(g) No compensation shall be paid to any director.

§10-1-6. Board of library directors -- Powers and duties.

The board of directors of each public library established or maintained under this article shall: (a) Immediately after appointment, meet and organize by electing one member as president and one as secretary, and such other officers as may be necessary. All officers shall hold office for one year and shall be eligible for reelection. (b) Adopt such bylaws, rules and regulations as are necessary for its own guidance and for the administration, supervision and protection of the library and all property belonging thereto as may not be inconsistent with the provisions of this article. (c) Supervise the expenditure of all money credited to the library fund. All money appropriated or collected for public library purposes shall be deposited in the treasury of the governing authority to the credit of the library fund, to be paid out on the certified requisition of the library board, in the manner provided by law for the disbursement of other funds of such governing authority, or shall be deposited as the library's board of directors shall direct and be disbursed by the officer designated by that board, such officer before entering upon his duties to give bond payable to and in an amount fixed by the board of directors of the library, conditioned for the faithful discharge of his official fiscal duties. The cost of such bond shall be paid from the library fund. The books, records and accounts of the library board shall be subject to audit and examination by the office of the State Tax Commissioner of West Virginia. (d) Lease or purchase and occupy suitable quarters, or erect upon ground secured through gift or purchase, an appropriate building for the use of such library; and have supervision, care, and custody of the grounds, rooms or buildings constructed, leased, or set apart for library purposes. (e) Employ a head librarian, and upon his recommendation employ such other assistants as may be necessary for the efficient operation of the library.

§10-1-7. Free use of libraries.

Each library established or maintained by any governing authority shall be free for the use of all persons living within the area represented by such governing authority, except for those charges for which provision may be made elsewhere in this article. The use of the library is subject to reasonable rules and regulations adopted by the library board. The board may extend the privilege and use of the library to nonresidents upon such terms and conditions as it may prescribe.

The board may exclude from the use of the library under its charge any person who wilfully and persistently violates any rule or regulation prescribed for the use of the library or its facilities.

§10-1-8. Annual report.

The board of directors shall make an annual report for the fiscal year ending June thirtieth to the governing authority or authorities appointing it, stating the conditions of the library property, the various sums of money received from the library fund, and all other sources, and how such money was expended, the number of books and periodicals on hand, the number added and withdrawn during the year, the number of books lent, the number of registered users of such library, with such other statistics, information and suggestions as may be deemed of general interest. A copy of this report shall be sent to the West Virginia Library Commission.

§10-1-9. Library board to be a corporation; vesting of title to bequests or donations.

The board of directors of each public library shall be a corporation; and as such it may contract and be contracted with, sue and be sued, plead and be impleaded, and shall have and use a common seal.

The title to all bequests or donations of cash or other personal property or real estate for the benefit of such library shall be vested in the board of directors to be held in trust and controlled by such board according to the terms and for the purposes set forth in the deed, gift, devise or bequest: Provided, however, That the person making the bequest or donation of cash or other personal property or real estate for the benefit of such library shall have the right and privilege to vest the title thereto in a trustee, or trustees, of his own selection, and to provide for the selection of successor trustees, and to designate the manner in which said fund or property shall be invested and used.

§10-1-9a. Fees, service and rental charges; fines; sale of surplus or obsolete materials or equipment; deposit and disbursement of receipts.

The board of directors of a library established or maintained under this article may fix, establish, and collect such reasonable fees, service and rental charges as may be appropriate; may assess fines, penalties, damages, or replacement costs for the loss of, injury to, or failure to return any library property or material; and may sell surplus, duplicated, obsolete, or other unwanted materials or equipment belonging to the library. All moneys received from these or other sources in the course of the administration and operation of the library shall be deposited in the library fund and shall be disbursed by the board of directors in the manner prescribed elsewhere in this article.

§10-1-10. Injury to library property; penalty.

[Repealed.]

§10-1-11. Willful retention of library property.

Any person who willfully retains a book, newspaper, plate, picture, photograph, engraving, painting, drawing, map, magazine, document, letter, public record, microfilm, sound recording, audio visual materials in any format, magnetic or other tapes, artifacts or other documentary (written or printed) materials, or all materials of any kind whatsoever belonging to any public library for thirty days after the mailing date of a written notice demanding the return of said material and giving notice of said violation, forwarded to that person's last known address, is guilty of a misdemeanor, and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not more than $200: Provided, That a date or dates designating a grace period for the return of library materials to public libraries shall be established, said dates to be established by the state Library Commission pursuant to rules and regulations promulgated thereto.

A conviction or payment of any fine shall not be construed to constitute payment for library material, nor shall a person convicted under this section be thereby relieved of any obligation to return to the library such material. Further, a conviction or payment of any fine shall not be construed as a waiver of any nominal daily fine which may be imposed by library rules, regulations or policies.

The parent or guardian of a minor who willfully commits any act prohibited by this section shall be liable for all damages so caused by the minor up to the amount of $2,500, after the parent or guardian is served with proper written notice as aforementioned.

§10-1-11a. Effect of article on existing laws.

Nothing in this article shall be construed to abolish or abridge any power or duty conferred upon any public library already established by virtue of any city or town charter or other special act, or to affect any existing local laws allowing or providing municipal aid to libraries. Any library now operating under any city or town charter or other special act has, however, the privilege of reorganizing under the provisions of this article.

All powers granted herein shall be considered to be conferred upon public libraries existing at the time of the passage of this act.

Any provision concerning the disbursement of funds including the designation of the depository of the library funds or of the library board's disbursing officer contained in this article may be adopted by a library board organized under the provisions of this article, notwithstanding any other provisions of law.

§10-1-12. State Library Commission.

[Repealed.]

§10-1-13. State Library Commission – officers.

[Repealed.]

§10-1-14. Same. – Powers and duties.

[Repealed.]

§10-1-15. State Library Commission – Disposition of monetary gifts.

[Repealed.]

§10-1-16. Regional libraries and library areas – Establishment and location.

[Repealed.]

§10-1-17. Regional libraries and library areas – Referral of plan to county courts; action on; alteration of plan.

[Repealed.]

§10-1-18. Regional libraries and library areas — Powers of West Virginia Library Commission.

[Repealed.]

§10-1-18a. Establishment of state publications; designation clearinghouse; definitions; powers of West Virginia Library Commission; designations by state agencies.

[Repealed.]

§10-1-19. Regional libraries and library areas – Transfer of certain libraries to Library Commission.

[Repealed.]

§10-1-20. Aid to libraries by Library Commission.

[Repealed.]

§10-1-21. Collection of and preservation of library data; surveys; employment of personnel; use of data.

[Repealed.]

§10-1-22. Confidential nature of certain library records.

[Repealed.]

§10-1-23. Library Survey; status report; and ten-year plan.

[Repealed.]

ARTICLE 1A. INTERSTATE LIBRARY COMPACT.

§10-1A-1. Enactment of compact.

The "Interstate Library Compact" is hereby enacted into law and entered into by this state with all states legally joining therein in the form substantially as follows:

INTERSTATE LIBRARY COMPACT

ARTICLE I. POLICY AND PURPOSE.

Because the desire for the services provided by libraries transcends governmental boundaries and can most effectively be satisfied by giving such services to communities and people regardless of jurisdictional lines, it is the policy of the states party to this compact to cooperate and share their responsibilities; to authorize cooperation and sharing with respect to those types of library facilities and services which can be more economically or efficiently developed and maintained on a cooperative basis; and to authorize cooperation and sharing among localities, states and others in providing joint or cooperative library services in areas where the distribution of population or of existing and potential library resources make the provision of library service on an interstate basis the most effective way of providing adequate and efficient service.

ARTICLE II. DEFINITIONS.

As used in this compact:

(a) "Public library agency" means any unit or agency of local or state government operating or having power to operate a library.

(b) "Private library agency" means any nongovernmental entity which operates or assumes a legal obligation to operate a library.

(c) "Library agreement" means a contract establishing an interstate library district pursuant to this compact or providing for the joint or cooperative furnishing of library services.

ARTICLE III. INTERSTATE LIBRARY DISTRICTS.

(a) Any one or more public library agencies in a party state in cooperation with any public library agency or agencies in one or more other party states may establish and maintain an interstate library district. Subject to the provisions of this compact and any other laws of the party states which pursuant hereto remain applicable, such district may establish, maintain and operate some or all of the library facilities and services for the area concerned in accordance with the terms of a library agreement therefor. Any private library agency or agencies within an interstate library district may cooperate therewith, assume duties, responsibilities and obligations thereto, and receive benefits therefrom as provided in any library agreement to which such agency or agencies become party.

(b) Within an interstate library district, and as provided by a library agreement, the performance of library functions may be undertaken on a joint or cooperative basis or may be undertaken by means of one or more arrangements between or among public or private library agencies for the extension of library privileges or the use of facilities or services operated or rendered by one or more of the individual library agencies.

(c) If a library agreement provides for joint establishment, maintenance or operation of library facilities or services by an interstate library district, such district shall have power to do any one or more of the following in accordance with such library agreement:

(1) Undertake, administer and participate in programs or arrangements for securing, lending or servicing of books and other publications, any other materials suitable to be kept or made available by libraries, library equipment or for the dissemination of information about libraries, the value and significance of particular items therein and the use thereof;

(2) Accept for any of its purposes under this compact any and all donations and grants of money, equipment, supplies, materials and services (conditional or otherwise), from any state or the United States or any subdivision or agency thereof, or interstate agency or from any institution, person, firm or corporation, and receive, utilize and dispose of the same;

(3) Operate mobile library units or equipment for the purpose of rendering bookmobile service within the district;

(4) Employ professional, technical, clerical and other personnel, and fix terms of employment, compensation and other appropriate benefits; and where desirable, provide for the in-service training of such personnel;

(5) Sue and be sued in any court of competent jurisdiction;

(6) Acquire, hold and dispose of any real or personal property or any interest or interests therein as may be appropriate to the rendering of library service;

(7) Construct, maintain and operate a library, including any appropriate branches thereof;

(8) Do such other things as may be incidental to or appropriate for the carrying out of any of the foregoing powers.

ARTICLE IV. INTERSTATE LIBRARY DISTRICTS, GOVERNING BOARD.

(a) An interstate library district which establishes, maintains or operates any facilities or services in its own right shall have a governing board which shall direct the affairs of the district and act for it in all matters relating to its business. Each participating public library agency in the district shall be represented on the governing board which shall be organized and conduct its business in accordance with provision therefor in the library agreement. But in no event shall a governing board meet less often than twice a year.

(b) Any private library agency or agencies party to a library agreement establishing an interstate library district may be represented on or advise with the governing board of the district in such manner as the library agreement may provide.

ARTICLE V. STATE LIBRARY AGENCY COOPERATION.

Any two or more state library agencies of two or more of the party states may undertake and conduct joint or cooperative library programs, render joint or cooperative library services, and enter into and perform arrangements for the cooperative or joint acquisition, use, housing and disposition of items or collections of materials which, by reason of expense, rarity, specialized nature or infrequency of demand therefor would be appropriate for central collection and shared use. Any such programs, services or arrangements may include provision for the exercise on a cooperative or joint basis of any power exercisable by an interstate library district and an agreement embodying any such program, service or arrangement shall contain provisions covering the subjects detailed in Article VI of this compact for interstate library agreements.

ARTICLE VI. LIBRARY AGREEMENTS.

(a) In order to provide for any joint or cooperative undertaking pursuant to this compact, public and private library agencies may enter into library agreements. Any agreement executed pursuant to the provisions of this compact shall, as among the parties to the agreement:

(1) Detail the specific nature of the services, programs, facilities, arrangements or properties to which it is applicable;

(2) Provide for the allocation of costs and other financial responsibilities;

(3) Specify the respective rights, duties, obligations and liabilities of the parties;

(4) Set forth the terms and conditions for duration, renewal, termination, abrogation, disposal of joint or common property, if any, and all other matters which may be appropriate to the proper effectuation and performance of the agreement.

(b) No public or private library agency shall undertake to exercise itself, or jointly with any other library agency, by means of a library agreement any power prohibited to such agency by the Constitution or statutes of its state.

(c) No library agreement shall become effective until filed with the compact administrator of each state involved and approved in accordance with Article VII of this compact.

ARTICLE VII. APPROVAL OF LIBRARY AGREEMENTS.

(a) Every library agreement made pursuant to this compact shall, prior to and as a condition precedent to its entry into force, be submitted to the Attorney General of each state in which a public library agency party thereto is situated, who shall determine whether the agreement is in proper form and compatible with the laws of his state. The attorneys general shall approve any agreement submitted to them unless they shall find that it does not meet the conditions set forth herein and shall detail in writing addressed to the governing bodies of the public library agencies concerned the specific respects in which the proposed agreement fails to meet the requirements of law. Failure to disapprove an agreement submitted hereunder within ninety days of its submission shall constitute approval thereof.

(b) In the event that a library agreement made pursuant to this compact shall deal in whole or in part with the provision of services or facilities with regard to which an officer or agency of the state government has Constitutional or statutory powers of control, the agreement shall, as a condition precedent to its entry into force, be submitted to the state officer or agency having such power of control and shall be approved or disapproved by him or it as to all matters within his or its jurisdiction in the same manner and subject to the same requirements governing the action of the attorneys general pursuant to subsection (a) of this article. This requirement of submission and approval shall be an addition to and not in substitution for the requirement of submission to and approval by the attorneys general.

ARTICLE VIII. OTHER LAWS APPLICABLE.

Nothing in this compact or in any library agreement shall be construed to supersede, alter or otherwise impair any obligation imposed on any library by otherwise applicable law, nor to authorize the transfer or disposition of any property held in trust by a library agency in a manner contrary to the terms of such trust.

ARTICLE IX. APPROPRIATIONS AND AID.

(a) Any public library agency party to a library agreement may appropriate funds to the interstate library district established thereby in the same manner and to the same extent as to a library wholly maintained by it and, subject to the laws of the state in which such public library agency is situated, may pledge its credit in support of an interstate library district established by the agreement.

(b) Subject to the provisions of the library agreement pursuant to which it functions and the laws of the states in which such district is situated, an interstate library district may claim and receive any state and federal aid which may be available to library agencies.

ARTICLE X. COMPACT ADMINISTRATOR.

Each state shall designate a compact administrator with whom copies of all library agreements to which his state or any public library agency thereof is party shall be filed. The administrator shall have such other powers as may be conferred upon him by the laws of his state and may consult and cooperate with the compact administrators of other party states and take such steps as may effectuate the purposes of this compact. If the laws of a party state so provide, such state may designate one or more deputy compact administrators in addition to its compact administrator.

ARTICLE XI. ENTRY INTO FORCE AND WITHDRAWAL.

(a) This compact shall enter into force and effect immediately upon its enactment into law by any two states. Thereafter, it shall enter into force and effect as to any other state upon the enactment thereof by such state.

(b) This compact shall continue in force with respect to a party state and remain binding upon such state until six months after such state has given notice to each other party state of the repeal thereof. Such withdrawal shall not be construed to relieve any party to a library agreement entered into pursuant to this compact from any obligation of that agreement prior to the end of its duration as provided therein.

ARTICLE XII. CONSTRUCTION AND SEVERABILITY.

This compact shall be liberally construed so as to effectuate the purposes thereof. The provisions of this compact shall be severable and if any phrase, clause, sentence or provision of this compact is declared to be contrary to the Constitution of any party state or of the United States or the applicability thereof to any government, agency, person or circumstance is held invalid, the validity of the remainder of this compact and the applicability thereof to any government, agency, person or circumstance shall not be affected thereby. If this compact shall be held contrary to the Constitution of any state party thereto, the compact shall remain in full force and effect as to the remaining states and in full force and effect as to the state affected as to all severable matters.

§10-1A-2. Restrictions relating to outlay of public funds.

No county, municipality or other political subdivision of this state shall be party to a library agreement which provides for the construction or maintenance of a library pursuant to Article III, subsection (c), subdivision (7) of the compact, nor pledge its credit in support of such a library or contribute to the capital financing thereof, except after compliance with any laws applicable to such counties, municipalities or other political subdivisions of this state relating to or governing capital outlays and the pledging of credit.

§10-1A-3. State library agency defined.

As used in the compact, "state library agency," with reference to this state, means the West Virginia Library Commission as designated in section twelve, article one of this chapter.

§10-1A-4. Interstate library districts; state and federal aid.

An interstate library district lying partly within this state may claim and be entitled to receive state aid in support of any of its functions to the same extent and in the same manner as such functions are eligible for support when carried on by entities wholly within this state. For the purposes of computing and apportioning state aid to an interstate library district, this state will consider that portion of the area which lies within this state as an independent entity for the performance of the aided function or functions and compute and apportion the aid accordingly. Subject to any applicable laws of this state, such a district also may apply for and be entitled to receive any federal aid for which it may be eligible.

§10-1A-5. Compact administrator.

The Governor shall appoint an officer or employee of this state who shall be the compact administrator pursuant to Article X of the compact.

§10-1A-6. Withdrawal.

In the event of withdrawal from the compact, the Governor shall send and receive any notices required by Article XI, subsection (b) of the compact.

ARTICLE 2. PUBLIC RECREATION AND PLAYGROUNDS.

§10-2-1. Definitions.

(a) The term "governing body" as used in this article shall be construed to mean any city council, city commission, county court, or body acting in lieu thereof, or county board of education in the State of West Virginia; (b) the term "governmental division" when hereinafter used in this article shall be construed to mean any city, town, county, or school district in the State of West Virginia; (c) the term "board" when hereinafter used in this article shall be construed to mean any board, commission, committee, or council appointed or designated to carry out the provisions of this article.

§10-2-2. Authority to establish and conduct public recreation; levy.

The governing body of any governmental subdivision may provide, establish, maintain, and conduct a system of public recreation, including recreation centers, parks, swimming pools, playgrounds, and any and all other recreation facilities and activities; may set apart for such use any land or buildings and other recreational facilities by gift, purchase, lease, condemnation, bond issue, or otherwise, and may improve, maintain, and equip, and conduct the same; may employ a director of recreation and assistants and other personnel as they deem proper; may set up in their respective budgets funds to be spent for such purposes. Any such governing body or governmental division may levy annually for such purposes, in the manner provided by law for other levies: Provided, however, That in case sufficient funds cannot be raised by ordinary levies, additional funds may be raised as provided by section sixteen, article eight, chapter eleven of the code.

§10-2-3. Joint establishment and administration by two or more governing bodies.

Any two or more governing bodies may jointly establish and conduct such a system of recreation, including recreation centers, parks, swimming pools, playgrounds, and any and all other recreation facilities and activities; and may exercise all the powers given by this article. The respective governing bodies operating such a program or programs jointly may provide by agreement among themselves for all matters connected with such programs and determine what items of cost and expense shall be paid by each.

§10-2-4. Recreation department or board.

The governing body or bodies establishing such a system may conduct the same through a department or bureau of recreation, or may delegate the administration thereof to a recreation board created by it or in conjunction and cooperation with another governing body or bodies as hereinbefore provided, or to a school board or to any other appropriate existing board. If the governing body or bodies shall decide to delegate the administration to a recreation board, the board shall consist of not fewer than five nor more than nine persons which may include representation from the school board, and shall be appointed by the governing authority or an equal number appointed by each governing body where a system is established jointly by more than one governing body as hereinbefore provided, which members shall serve for a term of not less than three years nor more than five years, or until their successors are appointed, except that the members of such board first appointed shall be appointed for such terms that the terms of not more than two fifths of the members shall expire annually thereafter. Vacancies in such board occurring otherwise than by expiration of term shall be filled for the unexpired term in the same manner as original appointments. Members of such board shall serve without pay. Said board shall organize, adopt, and promulgate rules and regulations for the conduct, administration and management of said program: Provided, however, That in the case of a joint recreation program sponsored by two or more governing bodies, said rules and regulations shall be made subject to the approval of the respective governing bodies.

§10-2-4a. Public corporation may be created; name; dissolution; powers; authority; annual accounting; debts prohibited; general powers; bonded officers or employees.

Subject to the provisions of this section, and subject further to the terms and conditions of any agreement mentioned in section three of this article insofar as such terms and conditions are not contrary to the provisions of this section, any park and recreation board created by a governing body or bodies pursuant to this article shall be a public body corporate by the name of "The ............... Park and Recreation Board" by which name it may sue or be sued, contract and be contracted with, take and hold title to any property other than real property and operate and manage programs under this article upon real property owned or leased by the governing body or bodies which create such board or by another public body corporate.

The board shall have a corporate seal and perpetual existence: Provided, That the board may be dissolved by the affirmative vote of at least sixty percent of the persons elected to the governing body or bodies and: Provided, however, That a governing body may withdraw from any board created by agreement of two or more governing bodies upon the affirmative vote of at least sixty percent of the persons elected to such governing body.

Such dissolution or withdrawal shall be effective only upon June thirtieth of any year and any action to dissolve or withdraw must be completed by city or county ordinance or Board of Education order not later than March thirty-first of such year. In the event of such dissolution or withdrawal the property of the board shall promptly be appraised by the assessor of the county in his reasonable discretion at current value and shall thereupon be apportioned among the parties in proportion to the contributions to the board after the effective date of this section from the General Funds of each governing body or by such other means as are agreed upon by all interested parties.

The board shall have the power and authority to adopt bylaws determining its name, providing for the selection and terms of its officers, personnel policy and otherwise governing the operation of the board, and the powers and duties of its officers, which bylaws shall not be effective until approved by resolution of every governing body or bodies.

The board shall have power and authority to receive any gift, federal grant, other grant, donation or bequest and to receive income and other funds, whether in cash or check, whether appropriated by governing body or bodies to the board or derived from programs under the direction and control of the board, to deposit, invest, manage and disburse, all such funds, income or receipts, including interest or income earned thereon or therefrom, to obtain one or more insurance policies affording coverage to it, to the public and to the governing bodies for loss of or damage to the property and facilities and programs under its control and affording public and employee liability coverage for the board and the governing body or bodies, their officers, agents and employees as the need therefor may arise.

The board shall annually at a time convenient to each governing body report to such body upon all receipts and disbursements of the board, the scope and location of its activities and such other information as such governing body may by resolution request and shall at the same time present a proposed budget showing projected receipts and disbursements, describing the programs and their anticipated costs and giving such other information as any governing body shall by resolution request, which annual report shall be a public record.

Any governing body or bodies are hereby authorized to contribute funds to any board, to appropriate matching funds for a federal grant or other grant to such board and to join with such board in executing any necessary application or contract for such federal grant or other grant and to give such assurances and commitments as may be necessary or convenient thereto: Provided further, That under no circumstances whatever shall any action under this section of a governing body or the board give rise to or create any indebtedness on the part of the governing body or board, except that the governing body or bodies may separately or by joint agreement enter into such revenue bond financing agreements as have heretofore been lawful.

The board shall have power and authority to do any and all things necessary or convenient to carry out and effectuate the purposes and provisions of this section and shall furnish the governing body or bodies a blanket surety bond covering those individuals authorized by the board to sign checks in its behalf, in a penal sum of not less than $25,000.

§10-2-5. Article not to affect powers granted by charter or special act.

The provisions of this article shall not in anywise repeal, affect or limit the powers and provisions heretofore or hereafter granted to any city, town, district, county, school district or independent school district, under the provisions of any charter or by any special act or acts of the Legislature, to establish, maintain and conduct parks and public recreation and playgrounds.

ARTICLE 2A. ATHLETIC ESTABLISHMENTS.

§10-2A-1. Definitions.

(a) The term "board" as used in this article shall mean any county court, municipal corporation or county board of education in the State of West Virginia; (b) the term "athletic establishment" shall be construed to mean and include athletic fields of all types, stadiums, gymnasiums, field houses, and all other types of athletic establishments capable of producing revenue, where the cost of such acquisition, construction, extension, equipment or improvements, together with reasonable interest thereon, will be returned within a reasonable period, not exceeding thirty years, by means of charges, rentals, radio broadcasting franchise fees, and other tolls, fees and charges other than taxation; and shall mean and include such athletic establishment in its entirety, and all integral parts thereof.

§10-2A-2. Authority to establish and operate athletic establishments; bonds to pay costs.

Every county court, municipal corporation or county board of education in the State of West Virginia is hereby authorized and empowered to establish, construct, acquire, extend, equip and own, maintain and operate any of the athletic establishments described in section one of this article, together with all appurtenances necessary, useful or convenient for the maintenance and operation of such athletic establishments, and shall have authority to acquire by gift, grant, purchase, condemnation or otherwise, all necessary lands, rights of way and property therefor, and to issue revenue bonds to pay the costs of such athletic establishments and property. No obligation shall be incurred by the board in such establishment, construction, acquisition, extension or improvement, except as is payable solely from the funds provided under the authority of this article.

§10-2A-2a. Joint establishment and operation of athletic establishment.

Any county court, municipal corporation and Board of Education, or any two of them, may jointly establish and conduct such athletic establishment and may exercise all the powers given by this article. In the event of any such joint establishment and operation, they may provide by agreement among themselves for all matters connected with such establishment and operation.

§10-2A-3. Construction, etc., to be under control of board or committee appointed by board.

The construction, acquisition, improvement, extension, equipment, custody, operation and maintenance of any such athletic establishment, and the collection of revenues therefrom, shall be under the supervision and control of the county court, municipal corporation or county board of education, or all or any part of such powers, duties and responsibilities may be placed in a committee appointed by such board by resolution duly adopted. The term "board" when hereafter used in this article shall be construed to mean the county court, municipal corporation or the county board of education or such duly appointed committee, as the case may be.

§10-2A-4. Powers of board; contracts; employees.

The board shall have power to take all steps and proceedings, and to make and enter into all contracts or agreements necessary or incidental to the performance of its duties and the execution of its powers under this article: Provided, That any contract relating to the financing or the acquisition, construction, extension or improvement of any such works, or any trust indenture as hereafter provided for, shall be approved by the county court, municipal corporation or county board of education.

The board may employ engineers, architects, inspectors, superintendents, managers, collectors, attorneys and such other employees as in its judgment may be necessary in the execution of its powers and duties, and may fix their compensation, all of whom shall do such work as the board may direct. No contract or agreement with any contractor or contractors for labor or material exceeding in amount the sum of $1,000 shall be made without advertising for bidders, which shall be publicly opened and award made to the lowest responsible bidder, with power in the board to reject any and all bids. After the acquisition, construction, equipment and completion of the athletic establishment the board shall operate, manage and control the same, and may order and complete any extensions, and improvements of and to the athletic establishments that the board may deem expedient if funds therefor be available, and shall establish rules and regulations for the use and operation of the athletic establishment, and do all things necessary or expedient for the successful operation thereof.

§10-2A-5. Preliminary expenses.

All necessary preliminary expenses actually incurred by the board in the making of surveys, estimates of costs and of revenues, employment of engineers or other employees, the giving of notices, taking of options, and all other expenses of whatsoever nature necessary to be paid prior to the issue, sale and delivery of the revenue bonds herein provided for, may be paid by the board to be reimbursed and repaid out of the proceeds of sale of such revenue bonds in this article provided for.

§10-2A-6. Resolution for construction, etc., of establishment; notice and hearing.

Before any board shall construct, acquire, improve, extend or equip any athletic establishment under this article, the board shall adopt a resolution which shall (a) set forth a brief general description of the athletic establishment, and if the same is to be constructed a reference to the preliminary report or plans and specifications which shall theretofore have been prepared; (b) set forth the estimated cost thereof; (c) order the construction, acquisition, extension, improvement or equipment of such establishment; (d) direct that revenue bonds of the county board of education be issued pursuant to this article; in such amount as may be found necessary to pay the costs of such athletic establishment; and (e) contain such other provisions as may be necessary or proper in the premises. Before such resolution shall become effective it, together with the following described notice, shall be published as a Class II legal advertisement in compliance with the provisions of article three, chapter fifty-nine of this code, and the publication area for such publication shall be the county in which such Board of Education is located. The notice shall specify a time and place for a public hearing, the time being not less than ten days after the first publication of said notice; at which time and place all parties and interests may appear before the board, and may be heard as to whether or not said resolution shall be put into effect. At such hearing all objections and suggestions shall be heard and the board shall take such action as it shall deem proper in the premises: Provided, however, That if at such hearing a written protest is filed by thirty percent or more of the owners of real estate situate in said county, then the board of Education shall not take further action unless four fifths of the members of said board assent thereto: And provided further, That in case written protest is filed purporting to have been signed by or on behalf of thirty percent or more of the owners of real estate in said county, the board shall have authority to appoint a subcommittee to consist of one proponent, one opponent and the third to be selected by these two, to determine whether or not thirty percent of the property owners have in fact protested, and said subcommittee shall report its findings to the board.

§10-2A-7. Acquisition of property or establishments; eminent domain.

Every such board shall have power to condemn any land or easements, necessary or convenient for the construction of any such athletic establishment, or extensions, improvements or additions thereto, and in connection therewith shall have and may exercise all the rights, powers and privileges of eminent domain granted to county courts, municipal corporations or county boards of education under the laws relating thereto. Title to property shall be taken in the name of the county court, municipal corporation or county board of education. Proceedings for such appropriation of property shall be under and pursuant to the general provisions of law relating to condemnation proceedings in the exercise of eminent domain: Provided, That the board shall be under no obligation to accept and pay for any property condemned, and shall in no event pay for property condemned or purchased, except from funds provided pursuant to this article; and in any proceedings to condemn such orders may be made as may be just to the board and the owners of the property to be condemned; and an understanding or other security may be required securing such owners against any loss or damage which may be sustained by reason of the failure of the board to accept and pay for the property, but such undertaking or security shall impose no liability upon the board, except such as may be paid from the funds provided under the authority of this article.

In the event of acquisition by purchase, the board may obtain and exercise an option from the owners of said property for the purchase thereof, and may enter into a contract for the purchase thereof, and such purchase may be made upon such terms and conditions, and in such manner as the board may deem proper: Provided, however, That such exercise of option, purchase or contract for such purchase shall in no event bind or obligate said board, or create any debt, liability or claim, except such as may be paid from the funds provided under the authority of this article.

In the event of the acquisition of any athletic establishment already constructed by purchase or condemnation, the board at or before the time of the adoption of the resolution described in section six hereof, shall cause to be determined what repairs, replacements, additions and improvements will be necessary, in order that said establishment may be effective for its purpose, and an estimate of the cost of such improvements shall be included in the estimate of the costs required by section six hereof, and such improvements shall be made upon the acquisition of the establishment and as a part of the cost thereof: Provided, however, That no board shall, under the authority conferred by this article, condemn any existing privately owned athletic establishment in operation at the date of the condemnation.

§10-2A-8. Bonds for improvements and extension of existing athletic establishments.

Whenever any board now or hereafter, shall own and operate any athletic establishment as herein defined, whether acquired or constructed under the provisions of this article or not, and shall desire to construct improvements, enlargements and extensions thereto, or acquire or construct better equipment for the same, it may issue revenue bonds under the provisions of this article to pay for the same, and the procedure therefor shall be the same as in this article provided for the issuance of bonds for acquisition or construction of such athletic establishment: Provided, however, That no existing obligations or rights shall be affected or impaired thereby.

§10-2A-9. Items of expense included in cost of athletic establishment.

The cost of the athletic establishment shall be deemed to include the cost of the acquisition or construction and equipment thereof, the cost of all property and easements deemed necessary or convenient therefor; interest upon bonds prior to and during construction or acquisition and for six months after completion of construction or acquisition; engineering and legal expense; expense for estimates of cost and of revenues; expense for plans, specifications and surveys; other expenses necessary or incident to determining the feasibility or practicability of the enterprise; administrative expense; and such other expenses as may be necessary or incident to the financing herein authorized and the construction or acquisition of the establishment and placing the same in operation, and the performance of the things herein required or permitted in connection with any thereof.

§10-2A-10. Bonds to be payable from special fund; exemption from taxation.

Funds for the payment of all or such part of the costs of such athletic establishment as may be determined by the board, shall be provided by the issuance of revenue bonds of such board. Such bonds shall be payable solely from the special fund herein provided for such payment; and such bonds shall not in any respect be a corporate indebtedness of the county court, municipal corporation or county board of education issuing the same. All such bonds shall be exempt from taxation by the State of West Virginia or any county or municipality therein. All of the details of such bonds and the issuance thereof shall be determined by resolution of the board.

§10-2A-11. Interest rate and life of bonds; redemption; how payable; form; denominations; negotiability; surplus funds; additional bonds authorized; interim certificates.

Such revenue bonds shall bear interest at not more than six per cent per annum, payable annually or at shorter intervals, and shall mature at such time or times not exceeding thirty years from the date thereof, as may be determined by resolution of the board. Such bonds may be made redeemable before maturity, at the option of the board, at not more than the par value thereof plus five per cent, under such terms and conditions as may be fixed by the resolution authorizing the issuance of the bonds. The principal and interest of the bonds may be made payable in any lawful medium. Said resolution shall determine the form of the bonds, including the interest coupons to be attached thereto, if any, and shall fix the denomination or denominations of such bonds, and the place or places of the payment of the principal and interest thereof, which may be at any bank or trust company within or without the state, or at such other place as said resolution may provide. The bonds shall contain a statement on their face that the board shall not be obligated to pay the same, or the interest thereon, except from the special fund derived from the net revenue of the athletic establishment, or a certain pro rata part thereof, as the case may be. All such bonds shall be, and shall have, and are hereby declared to have all the qualities and incidents of negotiable instruments, under the Negotiable Instruments Law of this state. Provision may be made for the registration of any of the bonds in the name of the owner as to principal alone. Bonds shall be executed in such manner as the board may direct. The bonds shall be sold by the board in such manner as may be determined to be for the best interest of the board: Provided, however, That said bonds shall not be negotiated at a price lower than a price which when computed to maturity upon standard tables of bond values will show a net return of six per cent per annum to the purchaser upon the amount paid therefor. Any surplus of the proceeds from the sale of such bonds over and above the cost of such athletic establishment shall be paid into the sinking fund hereinafter provided. If the proceeds of the bonds shall be less than the cost of the athletic establishment, additional bonds may in like manner be issued to provide the amount of such deficit, and unless otherwise provided in the resolution authorizing the issuance of the bonds first issued, or in the trust indenture hereinafter authorized, shall be deemed to be of same issue, and shall be entitled to payment without preference or priority of the bonds first issued, but such preference or priority shall not extend to an amount exceeding ten per cent of the original issue. Prior to the preparation of the definite bonds, interim certificates may, under like restrictions, be issued with or without coupons exchangeable for definite bonds upon the issuance of the latter.

§10-2A-12. Obligations not to bind member of board personally.

No member of any board or any committee appointed by such board hereunder shall in any event be personally liable upon any contract or obligation of any kind or character executed under the authority contained in this article, even if said undertaking should hereafter be held ultra vires.

§10-2A-13. Additional bonds for extension or improvement of athletic establishments.

Any board may provide by the resolution authorizing the issuance of the bonds or in the trust indenture hereinafter referred to, that additional bonds may thereafter be authorized and issued at one time, or from time to time, under such limitations and restrictions as may be set forth in said resolution or trust indenture, for the purpose of extending or improving such athletic establishments when deemed necessary in the public interest, such additional bonds to be secured and be payable from the revenues of the athletic establishment, as provided in section eight of this article.

§10-2A-14. How proceeds of bonds applied; lien.

All moneys received from the sale of any bonds issued pursuant to this article, after reimbursements and repayments to said board of all amounts advanced for preliminary expenses, as provided in section five of this article, shall be applied solely to the payment of the costs of the athletic establishment, or to the appurtenant sinking fund, and there shall be, and hereby is created and granted a lien upon such money, until so applied, in favor of the holders of the bonds or the trustees hereinafter provided for.

§10-2A-15. Bonds secured by trust indenture between board and corporate trustees.

In the discretion and at the option of the board such bonds may be secured by a trust indenture by and between the board and a corporate trustee which may be a trust company or bank having powers of a trust company within or without the State of West Virginia, but no such trust indenture shall convey, mortgage or create any lien upon the athletic establishment or any part thereof.

The resolution authorizing the revenue bonds, and fixing the details thereof, may provide that such trust indenture may contain such provisions for protecting and enforcing the rights and remedies of bondholders as may be reasonable and proper, not in violation of law, including covenants setting forth the duties of the board, and any committee appointed by the board under this article, in relation to the construction or acquisition of the athletic establishment and the improvement, operation, repair, maintenance and insurance thereof, and the custody, safeguarding and application of all moneys, and may provide that the athletic establishment shall be contracted for, constructed and paid for under the supervision and approval of the consulting engineers employed or designated by the board and satisfactory to the original bond purchasers, their successors, assignees or nominees, who may be given the right to require the security given by contractors and by any depository of the proceeds of bonds or revenues of the athletic establishment or other moneys pertaining thereto shall be satisfactory to such purchasers, their successors, assignees or nominees. Such indenture may set forth the rights and remedies of the bondholders and such trustee. Except as in this article otherwise provided, the board may provide by resolution or in such trust indenture for the payment of the proceeds of the sale of the bonds and revenues of the athletic establishment to such officer, board or depository, as it may determine, for the custody thereof, and for the method of distribution thereof, with such safeguards and restrictions as it may determine.

§10-2A-16. Sinking fund.

At or before the issuance of any such bonds, the board shall, by resolution, provide for a sinking fund for the payment of the bonds and the interest thereon, and the payment of the charges of banks or trust companies for making payment of such bonds, and interest, out of the net revenues of said athletic establishment, and shall set aside and pledge a sufficient amount of the net revenues of the athletic establishment to be paid by the board into such sinking fund at intervals to be determined by resolution adopted prior to the issuance of the bonds, for: (a) The interest upon such bonds as the same becomes due; (b) the necessary fiscal agency charges for paying bonds and interest; (c) the payment of the bonds as they fall due, or if all bonds mature at one time, the maintenance of a proper sinking fund for the payment thereof at such time; and (d) a margin for safety and for the payment of premium upon bonds retired by call or purchase as herein provided for, which margin, together with unused surplus of such margin carried forward from the preceding year, shall equal ten per cent of all other amounts so required to be paid into the sinking fund. Such required payments shall constitute a first charge upon all the net revenues of the athletic establishment. Net revenues as used herein shall mean the revenues of the athletic establishment remaining after the payment of reasonable expense of operation, repairs, maintenance, insurance and all other reasonable costs of maintaining and operating the same required to be paid from the revenues thereof. After the payment into the sinking fund as herein required, the board may at any time in its discretion transfer all or any part of the balance of the net revenues, after reserving an amount deemed by the board sufficient for operation, repairs, maintenance and depreciation for an ensuing period of not less than twelve months, into the sinking fund or into a fund for extensions, improvements and additions to such athletic establishment. All amounts for sinking fund and interest, as and when set apart for the payment of same, shall be remitted to the West Virginia Municipal Bond Commission at such periods as shall be designated in the resolution, but in any event at least thirty days previous to the time interest or principal payments become due, to be retained and paid out by said commission, consistent with provisions of this article and the order pursuant to which such bonds have been issued. The West Virginia Municipal Bond Commission is hereby authorized to act as fiscal agent for the administration of such sinking fund under any resolution adopted pursuant to the provisions of this article and shall invest all sinking funds as provided by general law. Notwithstanding the foregoing, payments of principal and interest on any bonds owned by the United States or any governmental agency or department thereof may be made by the board directly thereto.

§10-2A-17. Charges and rentals for use of athletic establishment.

The board shall have the power and it shall be its duty, by resolution to establish and maintain just and equitable charges and rentals as the case may be, for the use of such athletic establishment, and may readjust, amend and modify such charges and rentals from time to time. Such charges and rentals shall be in such amounts that the total thereof shall be at least sufficient in each year for the payment of the proper and reasonable expenses of operation, repair, replacements and maintenance of the athletic establishment, and for the payment of the sums herein required to be paid into the sinking fund. A schedule of the charges and rentals so established shall be kept on file in the office of the board issuing such bonds and also in the office of the committee having charge of the operation of such athletic establishment, if there be such committee.

§10-2A-18. Accounting system; yearly audit; custodian of funds.

Any board issuing revenue bonds under the provisions of this article, shall install and maintain a proper system of accounting showing the amount of revenue received and the application of same and the board shall, at least once a year, cause such accounts to be properly audited by a competent Auditor and the report of such Auditor shall be open for inspection at all reasonable times to any taxpayer, citizen of the county or any holder of bonds issued under the provisions of this article, or anyone duly authorized acting for and on behalf of such taxpayer, citizen or bondholder. The treasurer of such board or other official or institution specifically charged by such board with such duty, shall be custodian of the funds derived from revenues from such athletic establishment, and shall give proper bond for the faithful discharge of his or its duties as such custodian which bond shall be fixed and approved by the board. All of the funds received as revenue from said athletic establishment, and all funds received from the sale of revenue bonds issued under this article, shall be kept separate and apart from other funds of the board, and separate accounts shall be maintained from the several items required to be set up by section fifteen of this article.

§10-2A-19. Board to pay charges and rentals for use of establishment.

The board shall be subject to the same charges and rentals established as hereinbefore provided, or to charges and rentals established in harmony therewith, for the use of such athletic establishment, and shall pay such charges and rentals, when due, from corporate funds, and the same shall be deemed to be a part of the revenues of the athletic establishment as herein defined, and may be applied as herein provided for the application of such revenues.

§10-2A-20. Operation under supervision and control of board; leasing.

The board may, in its discretion, provide by resolution that the custody, administration, operation and maintenance of such athletic establishment shall be under the supervision and control of a committee as provided by section three hereof, and in such case, the board may provide by resolution for said committee to exercise such of the functions of the board in connection with said establishment as they consider proper, and may provide for said committee to receive such compensation as such board may deem proper, all of which authority and compensation shall be specifically provided for by resolution. All compensation and expenses of such committee shall be paid solely from funds provided under the authority of this article. Such committee shall have power to establish bylaws, rules and regulations for its own government.

The board also, in its discretion, may provide by resolution for the leasing of such athletic establishment or any part thereof and provide for the custody, operation and maintenance thereof by a lessee in accordance with the provisions of such resolution and lease contract executed pursuant thereto: Provided, however, That the lessee shall pay to the board for the use of such athletic establishment, or part thereof, an amount which when added to other revenues therefrom shall be sufficient to provide a sinking fund for the payment of the bonds and the interest thereon and all other charges mentioned in section sixteen hereof.

§10-2A-21. When statutory mortgage lien created; enforcement of lien by bondholders; suit to compel performance of duties.

In the event bonds issued hereunder are not secured by a trust indenture as provided for in section fifteen of this article, there shall be, and there is hereby, created a statutory mortgage lien upon such athletic establishment acquired or constructed under the provisions of this article, which shall exist in favor of the holder of said bonds, and each of them, and to and in favor of the holder of the coupons attached to said bonds, and such athletic establishment shall remain subject to such statutory mortgage lien until payment in full of the principal and interest of said bonds. Any holder of bonds issued under the provisions of this article, or of any coupons representing interest accrued thereon, may, either at law or in equity, enforce the statutory mortgage lien hereby conferred and may, by proper suit, compel the performance of the duties of the board set forth in this article.

§10-2A-22. Acquisition of property on which encumbrance exists.

No property shall be acquired under this article upon which any lien or other encumbrance exists, unless at the time such property is acquired a sufficient sum of money, derived from the sale of bonds issued hereunder or otherwise, be deposited in trust to pay and redeem such lien or encumbrance in full.

§10-2A-23. Protection and enforcement of rights of bondholders; receivership.

Any holder of any such bonds or any of the coupons attached thereto, and the trustee, if any, except to the extent that the rights herein given may be restricted by the resolution authorizing issuance of the bonds or by the trust indenture, may either at law or in equity, by suit, action, mandamus, or other proper proceeding protect and enforce any and all rights granted hereunder or under such resolution or trust indenture and may enforce and compel performance of all duties required by this article, or by such resolution or trust indenture to be performed by the board or the committee, including the making and collecting of reasonable and sufficient charges and rentals for the use of such athletic establishment. If there be default in the payment of the principal or interest of any of the bonds on the date therein named for such payment, which default continues for a period of sixty days, any court having jurisdiction may appoint a receiver to administer the athletic establishment on behalf of the board, the bondholders and trustee, if any, subject to the restrictions in the resolution or trust indenture, if any, with power to charge and collect charges and rentals sufficient to provide for the payment of the expenses of operation, repair and maintenance, and also to pay any bonds and interest outstanding and to apply the revenues in conformity with this article and said resolution and trust indenture, if any; and the power herein provided for the appointment of a receiver shall apply to cases where such athletic establishment is operated by a lessee of the board as well as to cases where operated by the board. In case a receiver is appointed for an athletic establishment operated by a lessee, the lease agreement then existing between the board and the lessee shall be automatically terminated and all property, equipment, accounts receivable and assets of every kind used in connection with the operation of such athletic establishment shall pass to the receiver, and upon the termination of such receivership, such athletic establishment, property, equipment, accounts receivable and assets of every kind then in the hands of the receiver shall pass again to the board.

§10-2A-24. Article confers additional powers.

The authority herein given shall be in addition to and not in derogation of any power existing in any board under any Constitutional, statutory or other provisions of the law which it now may have or may hereafter acquire.

§10-2A-25. Construction of powers conferred.

This article shall, without reference to any other statute, be deemed full authority for the construction, acquisition, improvement, equipment, maintenance, operation and repair of the athletic establishment herein provided for, and for the issuance and sale of bonds by this article authorized, and shall be construed as an additional alternative method therefor, and for the financing thereof, and no petition or other or further proceeding in respect to the construction or acquisition or improvement of such athletic establishment, or to the acquisition or sale of bonds for the improvement of such athletic establishment, or in respect to the issuance or sale of bonds under this article, and no publication of any resolution, notice, or proceeding relating to such construction, improvement or acquisition, or to the issuance or sale of such bonds shall be required, except such as are prescribed under this article, any provisions of other statutes of the state to the contrary notwithstanding.

§10-2A-26. Article liberally construed.

This article being for the public health, safety, and welfare, shall be liberally construed to effectuate the purposes thereof.

ARTICLE 3. MONUMENTS, TABLETS AND MEMORIALS.

§10-3-1. Monuments for pioneers and historic localities.

In order to perpetuate the memory of the pioneers of this state, the county courts of the several counties are hereby authorized, in their discretion, to cause to be erected monuments or tablets in memory of any person or persons engaged in the Indian wars, to mark the sites of the frontier forts and blockhouses constructed and occupied by the early settlers during the Indian wars, and other historic localities, and also the graves of soldiers of the war of the revolution, in their respective counties.

§10-3-2. Memorials to soldiers and sailors; sale of existing memorials; memorial fund; levies; board of directors; report of board to county commission; use of memorial; itemized report for public inspection; itemized budget estimate.

(a) The county commission of any county shall have the power, upon petition of twenty percent of the voters of such county, based on the number of votes cast at the last general election for Governor, to acquire and establish at the county seat, or at any other suitable place within the county, by purchase or otherwise, ground, park or grove, and to erect and maintain thereon a building or buildings, structure or structures, monument or monuments, to remodel, repair, remove or replace existing buildings or structures, or, within its discretion, to contribute money out of the county treasury to aid in the erection or the maintenance, or both, of any building or buildings, structure or structures, where same is to be used with educational institutions operated by the state or any political subdivision thereof, or to aid in the erection or the maintenance, or both, of any memorial hospital owned and operated by a nonprofit corporation incorporated under the laws of this state, as a memorial or memorials, and, also shall have the power to sell any existing building or structure established and owned by the county commission as a war memorial and use the funds realized from the sale thereof together with other funds hereby authorized to create and establish and maintain new memorials, for the use of the public and to render the greatest benefit to the greatest number, in memory and in recognition of the virtues and sacrifices of the soldiers, sailors and marines from the State of West Virginia and each county thereof, and who served in the Armed Forces of the United States in the world wars. It is the declared purpose of this section to create or assist in creating memorials to the memory of such soldiers, sailors and marines by aiding all the living, for their health, safety and betterment.

(b) The county commission is authorized to and may lay a tax on all property in the county for the purposes of acquiring and establishing such memorials, remodeling, repairing, removing or replacing existing memorials, or making the initial contribution to memorials, said tax to be not in excess of the following maximum levies on each $100 assessed valuation: On Class I property, 6¢; on Class II property, 12¢; and on Classes III and IV property, 24¢; and thereafter for maintenance purposes a like tax to be not in excess of the following maximum levies on each $100 assessed valuation: On Class I property, 2¢; on Class II property, 4¢; and on Classes III and IV property, 8¢, such tax to be levied and collected in like manner as the general taxes of the county, which shall be kept separate in a fund to be known as the "memorial fund": Provided, That in any county where such memorial has been established and under construction or partly completed the amount of tax for acquiring and establishing the same, or making the initial contribution thereto, shall not be in excess of the following maximum levies on each $100 assessed valuation: On Class I property, 3¢; on Class II property, 6¢; and on Classes III and IV property, 12¢; and thereafter for maintenance purposes a like tax to be not in excess of the following maximum levies on each $100 assessed valuation: On Class I property, 2¢; on Class II property, 4¢; and on Classes III and IV property, 8¢.

(c) Whenever such memorial is acquired or established wholly by the county commission under this section, the county commission shall appoint a board of directors composed of at least five members with at least one member from each of the magisterial districts of the county not to exceed a total of eleven members. Such directors shall hold office for four years from July 1, following their appointment, and until their successors are appointed. No person shall be ineligible to appointment by reason of sex. Vacancies in the board shall be reported to the county commission and filled by appointment in like manner as original appointments for the unexpired term. The county commission may remove any director for misconduct or neglect of duty. No compensation shall be paid or allowed any director.

The board of directors of each memorial shall, immediately after their appointment, meet and organize by electing one of their number as president and one as secretary; a majority of all the members of any board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. They shall make and adopt such bylaws, rules and regulations from time to time, for their own guidance and for the government and use of the memorial, as may be expedient and not inconsistent with this section. Such board shall have authority to contract for the construction or purchase of a memorial established under this section and for repairs thereon or maintenance thereof and the supervision, care and custody of the ground, structure or structures: Provided, That all contracts shall be approved by the county commission and that the expenditures of all funds shall be subject to the approval of the county commission, and all moneys belonging to the memorial fund shall be deposited in the treasury of such county to the credit of the memorial fund and shall be drawn therefrom on orders issued by the county commission. Such orders shall not be drawn except upon requisition of the memorial board attached to proper authenticated vouchers. Ground, park or a grove for a memorial may be acquired by condemnation by such board in the same manner as the county commission may acquire other real estate for public uses and purposes, and the title of all such property shall be and vest in the county commission. The board shall have power to appoint a suitable custodian and assistants and prescribe rules for their conduct, fix their duties and compensation, and shall have power to remove such appointees and, in general, to carry out the spirit and intention of this section.

Each memorial operated by a board of directors as provided hereby shall be free for the use of the inhabitants of the county, subject to such reasonable rules and regulations as the board may adopt, in order to render the use of such building or structure of greatest benefit to the greatest number; and the board may exclude from the use of the building any and all persons who shall wilfully violate such rules. The board of directors may extend the use and privileges of the building and structure to an educational institution or to nonresidents of the county upon such terms and conditions as the board may prescribe.

The board of directors shall, on or before July 1, in each year, make a report to the county commission, stating the condition of the property, the various sums of money received from the memorial fund, and from all other sources, how much money was expended and for what expended; also an itemized budget estimate of expense of the property for the ensuing year, with such other information and suggestions as they deem of general interest, or that may be required by the county commission.

Any person or persons, including corporations, desiring to make donations of cash or other personal property or real estate for the benefit of the memorial, shall have the right to do so, and shall have the right to vest the title thereof in the county commission, to be held in trust and controlled by such board, the same as the other property owned or acquired, and according to the terms and for the purposes set out in the deed, gift, devise or bequest.

(d) Whenever the county commission contributes money out of the county treasury to aid in the erection or the maintenance, or both, of any building or buildings, structure or structures, where same is or are operated by the state or any political subdivision thereof, or to aid in the erection or the maintenance, or both, of a memorial hospital owned and operated by a nonprofit corporation incorporated under the laws of this state, as such memorial or memorials, there shall be filed with the county commission, on or before July 1, in each year, an annual itemized report, for public inspection, of the operation, income and expenditures for the twelve months preceding as of the thirty-first day of May in each year, and the condition of the property, by the officials, or board of directors, as the case may be, in charge thereof, and in the case of such memorial hospital such report also shall contain a complete schedule of the rates and charges to the public and the services rendered free to the indigent and needy unable to pay therefor; and there also shall be filed with the county commission, on or before July 1, in each year, an itemized budget estimate of the expense and operation of such memorial or memorials for the ensuing year, with such other information and suggestions as may be deemed of public interest, or that may be required by the county commission.

ARTICLE 4. ROSTER OF WEST VIRGINIA SOLDIERS, SAILORS AND MARINES IN RECENT WARS.

§10-4-1. Preparation and publication; supervision by Adjutant General.

The Adjutant General of West Virginia is hereby authorized to prepare and secure the publication in book form of a complete roster of all West Virginia soldiers, sailors and marines who entered the service of the United States in the war with Spain in eighteen hundred and ninety-eight, and in the war with the central powers in Europe between nineteen hundred and seventeen, and nineteen hundred and nineteen. The preparation and publication of such roster shall be under the direction and supervision of the Adjutant General who shall employ such assistants and incur such expenses as may be necessary, and the compensation of such assistants and such expenses shall be paid out of funds appropriated for that purpose on the warrant of the Auditor upon presentation of vouchers signed by the Adjutant General.

§10-4-2. Contents.

Such roster shall contain the principal items of the record of each soldier, sailor or marine as shown by the rolls in the office of the Adjutant General of this state and in the war and navy departments of the United States, and shall include a notation of all decorations bestowed upon any soldier, sailor or marine by the United States or any foreign governments. In the preparation of such roster all names shall be arranged in alphabetical order, if possible, or in such a manner as to render all information therein readily accessible. Preparation of the roster shall begin as soon as possible and continue until the work is completed.

§10-4-3. Contract for printing.

The contract for the printing of the roster shall be let to the lowest and best bidder and such contract may be let for the entire roster or bids may be taken for the printing of each volume as completed. Not more than one thousand copies or sets of such roster shall be printed, and when completed shall be delivered to the Adjutant General.

§10-4-4. Distribution.

The distribution of such volumes shall be under the direction of the Adjutant General and shall be as follows:

To each member of the Legislature of the year nineteen hundred and twenty-nine, two copies or sets;

To each elective state officer, to be kept as a part of the official records of his office, one copy or set;

To the department of archives and history, one hundred copies or sets for distribution or exchange;

To the Adjutant General, two copies or sets to be retained permanently;

To each public library of the state, one copy or set;

To each college or university library, one copy or set;

To the county clerk of each county of the state, to be kept by his office and transferred to his successor as other public records, one copy or set;

To the Adjutant General of each state, one copy or set;

To the state headquarters of each active, independent veterans' organization or society having two or more subordinate posts, camps or societies within the state, one copy or set.

The remainder of such copies after such distribution shall be delivered by the Adjutant General to the superintendent of public printing of the state and shall be placed on sale by the superintendent of public printing at a price not greater than the cost of publication. The superintendent of public printing shall keep a record of such sales and shall pay into the state Treasury weekly all the amounts received by him as the result of sale of such roster.

ARTICLE 5. EDUCATIONAL BROADCASTING COMMISSION.

§10-5-1. Legislative findings; definitions.

(a) The Legislature hereby finds and declares that:

(1) It is the duty of this state to provide the best educational training possible for all its citizens;

(2) The encouragement and use of noncommercial educational radio, television, and related media operating and originating from educational broadcasting, closed circuit, or related facilities located at a site or sites within this state serving all the citizens of this state on a regional basis or as part of a coordinated statewide plan is a proper, necessary and beneficial means of providing and extending enriched educational instruction to all the citizens of this state at the preschool, elementary, secondary, and higher education and adult levels;

(3) Private nonprofit corporations have been established in this state for the sole purpose of raising funds for the financial support of the state's Public Broadcasting Network, which funds have been a vital source of private funding for the commission and enure to the benefit of all the citizens of the state; and

(4) Because of the unique educational benefit conferred upon and available to all the citizens of the state by the efforts of the commission and the private nonprofit corporations established for the sole purpose of providing support for public broadcasting in this state, authorizing the commission to allow its employees to work with, and its property and facilities to be used by, the private nonprofit corporations is a proper, necessary, and beneficial means of providing financial support for the state's Public Broadcasting Network.

(b) The following terms have the following meanings:

"Commission" means the Educational Broadcasting Commission established by the provisions of this article. References to “Educational Broadcasting Authority” or “the authority” throughout this article shall mean the Educational Broadcasting Commission unless the context in which used plainly requires a different meaning.

"Distance learning" means educational courses, seminars, programs, and teleconferences transmitted electronically and designed to instruct students who are remote from the instructor or other participants; such courses, seminars, programs, and teleconferences may constitute all or a significant portion of a class offered for college or public school credit, or they may be provided for faculty development, continuing professional education, for training employees of governmental agencies, nonprofit organizations, business, or industry;

"EdNet" means those individuals identified as an enterprise of the university of West Virginia college of graduate studies and West Virginia state college on behalf of the state college and university systems who are delegated the responsibility for developing, operating, and maintaining facilities for the production and transmission of distance learning; and

"SatNet" means those individuals identified as an enterprise of the state college and university systems who are delegated the responsibility for developing and providing distance learning.

§10-5-2. West Virginia Educational Broadcasting Commission; members; organization; officers; employees; meetings; expenses.

(a) The West Virginia Educational Broadcasting Commission is continued as a public benefit corporation. The commission shall consist of nine voting members, who shall be residents of the state, including:

(1) The Governor or designee;

(2) The State Superintendent of Schools;

(3) One member of the West Virginia Board of Education to be selected by it annually;

(4) One member of the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission to be selected by it annually; and

(5) Five members appointed by the Governor by and with the advice and consent of the Senate for overlapping terms of five years, one term expiring each year.

(b) Not less than one appointive member shall come from each congressional district. Any vacancy among the appointed members shall be filled by the Governor by appointment for the unexpired term.

(c) Employees of noncommercial broadcasting stations in West Virginia are not eligible for appointment to the commission.

(d) The commission shall annually select a member to serve as the chair. The commission shall annually select one of its public members as vice chair and shall appoint a secretary who need not be a member of the commission and who shall keep records of its proceedings.

(e) The Cabinet Secretary of the Department of Arts, Culture, and History shall appoint the commission section director and fix his or her salary. The commission section director is responsible for managing and administering the daily functions of the commission and for performing all other functions necessary to the effective operation of the commission. The commission may establish offices for the proper performance of its duties.

(f) The commission shall hold at least one annual meeting. The time and place of the meetings shall be established upon its own resolution or at the call of the chairperson of the commission. The members shall serve without compensation but may be reimbursed for all reasonable and necessary expenses actually incurred in the performance of their duties in a manner consistent with the guidelines of the Travel Management Office of the Department of Administration.

§10-5-2a

Repealed

Acts, 2018 Reg. Sess., Ch. 105.

§10-5-3. Powers of commission.

The commission may:

(1) Act as advisor and consultant to television and radio stations concerning noncommercial educational programs supported by federal, state, county, city, or private funds;

(2) Cooperate with and assist all local and state educational institutions in planning and development of the use of educational radio, television, and related media;

(3) Promote and coordinate the use of these media for noncommercial educational purposes;

(4), Construct, maintain, and operate educational broadcasting, closed circuit, or related facilities located at a suitable site or sites within this state including, without limitation thereby, production centers, broadcasting stations, and an audio-video microwave system for a statewide broadcasting network connecting such communities or stations as may be designated by the commission;

(5) Acquire in the name of the state for the use and benefit of the commission by purchase, lease, or agreement, any property, both real and personal, and any interest in such property necessary to carry out the provisions of this article;

(6) Apply for and receive any license from the appropriate federal agency necessary to operate any educational broadcasting, closed circuit, or related facility;

(7) Supervise and approve the origination and transmission of all noncommercial educational radio, television, and related media programs in this state which would be carried through the facilities of a state network;

(8) Employ such personnel as may be necessary to operate and maintain any facility created under the provisions of this article, and to work with private nonprofit corporations to raise funds for the financial support of the state's public broadcasting network;

(9) Lease from communications common carriers and use such transmission channels as may be necessary or, if it determines it could more economically construct and maintain such transmission channels, it may design, construct, maintain, and operate the same, including an audio-video microwave network;

(10) Sue and be sued, plead and be impleaded;

(11) Contract and be contracted with, including the power to enter into contracts with any person, firm, or corporation, including any like commission of neighboring states; and shall have the authority, within state regulations, to enter into program royalty and distribution contracts and receive moneys for these purposes: Provided, That any proceeds from such contracts shall be used by the commission for noncommercial purposes only;

(12) Have and use a corporate seal;

(13) Promulgate reasonable rules to carry out the provisions of this article in accordance with §29A-3-1 et seq. of this code; and

(14) Perform such other services on behalf of noncommercial educational radio, television, and related media as it may consider to be in the best interest of the state, including the use of the commission's employees, property, and facilities for the purpose of raising funds for the support of public broadcasting.

§10-5-4. Funds; right of state agencies, etc., to contribute to authority.

(a) The authority may solicit, apply for and receive appropriations, gifts, bequests or grants from any agency of the United States government, any agency of the State of West Virginia, any municipality or county within this state, any school board or college or university supported in whole or in part by this state or any other person, firm, partnership, association or corporation, within or without this state, and any agency of the State of West Virginia, any municipality or county within this state, or any school board or college or university supported in whole or in part by this state is hereby authorized and empowered to make appropriations or grants to the authority, to assist in achieving the public purpose of the authority.

(b) All such funds shall be deposited with the State Treasurer of West Virginia or with a private nonprofit corporation established for the sole purpose of providing support for public broadcasting in this state which has entered into a memorandum of understanding with the authority pursuant to the provisions of section six of this article, and used exclusively for carrying out the provisions of this article: Provided, That any appropriations, gifts, bequests or grants received by the authority with any restriction or restrictions on the use thereof shall be expended by the authority in accordance with such restriction or restrictions.

§10-5-5. Advisory councils.

The authority may also create one or more advisory councils. Each council so created shall consist of not more than nine members to be appointed by and serve at the will and pleasure of the authority. Each council shall annually elect a chairperson, vice chairperson and secretary. Members so appointed shall serve without compensation, but may be reimbursed for actual expenses incident to the performance of their duties as provided in this article for members of the authority.

Any such council shall serve in an advisory manner to one or more facilities established under the provisions of this article as directed by the authority and shall meet at least twice a year.

§10-5-5a. Advisory Committee on Journalistic and Editorial Integrity.

(a) The Authority shall appoint an Advisory Committee on Journalistic and Editorial Integrity, which shall consist of five qualified members to serve staggered terms of three years. The Advisory Committee shall annually elect a chair, vice chair and secretary.

(b) The Advisory Committee shall advise the Authority on issues related to the journalistic independence and editorial integrity of public education and public broadcasting stations, which have the same Constitutional protections as other journalistic enterprises in West Virginia.

§10-5-6. Cooperation with private nonprofit corporations.

(a) In furtherance of its mission and fulfillment of its duties, the authority is expressly authorized to allow its employees to work with, and its property and facilities to be used by, private nonprofit corporations established for the sole purpose of providing support for public broadcasting in this state.

(b) To document the implementation of subsection (a) of this section, the authority shall enter into memoranda of understanding with private nonprofit corporations established for the sole purpose of providing support for public broadcasting in this state, to delineate the rights and responsibilities of the parties.

(c) Notwithstanding any provision in this code to the contrary, the names of individual donors to the authority or to a private nonprofit corporation established for the sole purpose of providing support for public broadcasting in this state are not subject to the provisions of chapter twenty-nine-b of this code.

§10-5-7.

Repealed.

Acts, 1967 Reg. Sess., Ch. 54.

§10-1-24. Library Facilities Improvement Fund.

[Repealed.]

§10-1-14a. West Virginia Program for Open Education Resources; material description.

[Repealed.]

ARTICLE 3A. THE WEST VIRGINIA MEMORIAL TO CHILD LABOR.

§10-3A-1. Legislative findings, purposes, intent, and short title.

(a) The Legislature finds that child labor in hazardous industry was commonplace in West Virginia and the United States until state and federal laws prohibited such labor in the early 20^th century. Throughout West Virginia, children worked in coal mines, factories, salt works, and other inherently dangerous places. Due to their diminutive size and because child workers could be paid less, many employers preferred to utilize children in formal employment and informal employment arrangements. Because many children were informally employed, the number of children who were permanently maimed or killed due to hazardous labor is unknown.

(b) In order to preserve the memory of children who worked in a hazardous industry, a monument in memory of all children shall be constructed. The monument will be constructed in Fairmont, West Virginia due to the scale of the mine explosion at Monongah, West Virginia on December 6, 1907, and due to the unknown number of children who were killed in that disaster.

(c) This article may be cited as the “West Virginia Child Labor Memorial.”

§10-3A-2. Monument construction commission.

(a) A commission shall be established on July 1, 2022, to oversee construction of the monument. The commission shall be comprised of:

(1) The Curator of the Department of Arts, Culture, and History, who shall serve as chairperson;

(2) A member of the West Virginia House of Delegates, who shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates;

(3) A member of the West Virginia Senate, who shall be appointed by the President of the Senate;

(4) A representative of the City of Fairmont, to be appointed by the city council of Fairmont, West Virginia; and

(5) A representative of the West Virginia University College of Creative Arts.

(b) A majority of the members of the commission must be present at a meeting to constitute a quorum, and a majority of those members present at a meeting must vote in the affirmative in order to pass a motion. A meeting may be called by the chair and at least five days written notice of the meeting must be provided to the members of the commission. The chair may call a meeting upon a written demand by at least three members.

§10-3A-3. Design, construction, and administration of the monument.

(a) The commission shall choose a design for the monument by December 31, 2022, that:

(1) Adheres to the principles described in §10-3A-1,

(2) The commission finds to be aesthetically pleasing, and

(3) Preserves green space on the plot chosen.

(b) The commission shall solicit bids for construction of the monument and shall adhere to all state purchasing and payment processing laws and regulations in paying its construction vendors, with a target completion date of November 15, 2023. The commission shall target a date of December 6, 2023, for dedication of the monument, that being the 116^th anniversary of the Monongah mine disaster.

§10-3A-4. Funding for the monument; authority for obtaining additional funds to complete or enhance the monument.

The Division of Labor shall allocate funds in the amount of $500,000 toward the completion of the monument from any available funds that are managed or utilized by the Division of Labor. The commission shall have the authority to obtain funding through grants, charitable donations, or other appropriate means for the completion or enhancement of the monument.

§10-3A-5. Memorial inscription or plaque.

The following text shall be inscribed or engraved upon the monument, or otherwise permanently affixed by means of a plaque:

“On December 6, 1907, an explosion destroyed the Number 6 and Number 8 mines of Fairmont Coal Company in Monongah, West Virginia. The official death toll was 362, but this did not account for miners’ family members, including dozens of children, who were present in the mines that day.

Whether due to enslavement or poverty, child labor was a grievous part of our state’s industrial history—not only in coal mining, but also in factories, salt works, and other inherently hazardous professions—until it was restricted by state and federal laws in the early 20^th century.

This monument stands as a memorial to all children who were victimized by child labor in hazardous industry, and may this park serve as a reminder that the primary employment of children ought to be to learn and to play.”

§10-3A-6. Conclusion of the commission’s work.

(a) The Commission shall be disbanded on December 31, 2023: Provided, That the monument has been completed as outlined in this article, and that the monument has been appropriately dedicated. If the monument is not completed or dedicated by December 31, 2023, the commission shall continue until such time as the monument is completed and dedicated.

(b) On December 31, 2023 or such time the commission is disbanded, ownership of the monument shall transfer to the City of Fairmont, West Virginia, and any funds remaining in the commission’s control at that time shall be granted to the City of Fairmont for the monument’s enhancement and perpetual maintenance.

§10-3A-7. Return of monument to state administration.

If at any time after the completion and dedication of the monument, the City of Fairmont is unable or unwilling to continue maintaining the monument and its attached greenspace, then ownership of the property shall revert to the Department of Arts, Culture, and History.

ARTICLE 3B. THE WEST VIRGINIA MEMORIAL TO FALLEN HEROES OF THE GLOBAL WAR ON TERRORISM.

§10-3B-1. Legislative findings, purposes, intent, and short title.

(a) In order to preserve the memory of West Virginia servicemembers killed in action in the conflicts in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other locations during the United States War on Terror a monument shall be constructed on the State Capitol grounds to recognize and honor those West Virginians who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving in these conflicts.

(b) This article may be cited as the "West Virginia Memorial to Fallen Heroes of the Global War on Terrorism."

§10-3B-2. Monument construction commission.

(a) A commission shall be established on or before July 1, 2023, to oversee construction of the monument. The commission shall be comprised of:

(1) The Curator of the Department of Arts, Culture, and History, who shall serve as chairperson ex officio;

(2) The Secretary of the Department of Administration;

(3) The Secretary of the Department of Veterans Assistance;

(4) A member of the West Virginia House of Delegates, who shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates, with preference given to a member who is a veteran of the Armed Forces; and

(5) A member of the West Virginia Senate, who shall be appointed by the President of the Senate, with preference given to a member who is a veteran of the Armed Forces.

(b) A majority of the members of the commission must be present at a meeting in order to constitute a quorum, and a majority of those members present at a meeting must vote in the affirmative in order to pass a motion. A meeting called by the chair requires at least five days’ written notice of the meeting be provided to the members. Additionally, the chair shall call a meeting upon written demand of at least three members.

§10-3B-3. Design, construction, and administration of the monument.

(a) The commission shall choose a design for the monument, to the greatest extent practicable, by December 31, 2023, that:

(1) Is in line with classical themes of veterans memorials throughout the nation while taking into account appropriate historical, religious, and philosophical themes as well as public comments submitted to the commission;

(2) Adheres to the principles described in §10-3B-1 of this code and is reflective of those West Virginians killed during the United State War on Terror;

(3) Is found to be aesthetically pleasing by the commission; and

(4) Is placed on the grounds of the West Virginia State Capitol.

(b) The commission shall solicit bids for construction of the monument and shall adhere to all state purchasing and payment processing laws and regulations in paying its vendors.

(c) The commission shall have a target date for the completion and dedication of the monument, to the greatest extent practicable, of December 31, 2024.

§10-3B-4. Funding for the monument; authority for obtaining additional funds to complete or enhance the monument.

The Division of Labor shall allocate funds in the amount up to $750,000 toward the completion of the monument from any available funds that are managed or utilized by the Division of Labor. The commission shall have the authority to obtain funding through grants, charitable donations, or other appropriate means for the completion or enhancement of the monument.

§10-3B-5. Memorial inscription or plaque.

There shall be inscribed or engraved upon the monument, or otherwise permanently affixed by means of a plaque the following text:

(1) The names of all West Virginia servicemembers killed in action during the United States War on Terror as described in §10-3B-1 of this code; and

(2) Any other text the commission deems appropriate in accordance with §10-3B-3(a)(1) of this code.

§10-3B-6. Conclusion of the commission’s work.

(a) The commission shall be disbanded at such time that the monument has been completed and has been appropriately dedicated in accordance with the provisions of this article; Provided, however, If the monument is not completed or dedicated by December 31, 2024, the commission shall be continued until such time that the monument is completed and dedicated.

(b) Upon the commission’s termination, ownership of the monument shall be transferred to the Department of Arts, Culture, and History, and any funds remaining in the commission’s control at that time shall be granted to the Department of Arts, Culture, and History for the monument’s enhancement and perpetual maintenance.