The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

State News

March 18, 2010

Last-minute error dooms W.Va. coal severance bill

Associated Press

CHARLESTON — Lawmakers thought they passed the necessary legislation, but a fatal flaw is blocking their bid to redistribute coal tax revenues.

Just before their session ended Saturday, the House and Senate voted to dedicate 5 percent of the severance tax on coal to the county where it was mined.

The state levies the tax on natural resources as they are extracted. The Senate had amended the bill to readjust severance tax rates for green lumber. But that new paragraph was left out of the bill when a joint House-Senate conference committee negotiated a final version.

That error prevents the bill from being sent to the governor.

Lawmakers are in extended session to complete next year’s budget, and may have time to pass a corrected bill.

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