Policy Committees
Committees of the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce work on an ongoing basis to explore issues that affect employers, to develop policy proposals for consideration by state decision-makers and to focus attention on economic challenges and opportunities throughout West Virginia. All policy recommendations of the committees go to the Chamber’s Board of Directors for final action.
2008 Committee Chairs - click to read
Civil Justice Reform – Monitors the action of the Supreme Court through Court Watch and seeks ways to inform Chamber members and the public about the importance of Judiciary action.
Economic Development - Recommends programs to enhance state and local industrial and community development.
Education - Provides leadership to effect change in education policy and practice as desired by members of the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce.
Energy - Provides leadership and serves as a forum in promoting development of the state’s energy resources and energy technologies, and recommends realistic, sound and workable policies and programs through consensus of diverse energy interests.
Environment - Provides leadership in the establishment and implementation of sound environmental policies, benefiting the quality of life and economic vitality of West Virginia.
Government Relations - Provides proactive leadership in the area of governmental relations to further the mission of the Chamber as the Voice of Business in West Virginia and to affect policies at all levels of government to improve the business climate of the state. (Must be a registered lobbyist to serve on this committe.)
Health Care -- Provides policy leadership and expertise on health issues that affect West Virginia with the goal of improving health systems and health status of its citizens
Human Resources – Recommends policies and implements programs that aim to improve communications and cooperation between the state’s businesses and labor communities; advises Chamber members on human resources and employee benefits matters.
Small Business - Identifies, educates, communicates, and advocates issues while promoting a positive climate that is conducive to small business in West Virginia.
Tax - Educates Chamber members on tax matters and policies and advocates, in appropriate venues, the consensus interest of the general business community in the matters of state and local taxation.
Technology - Increases statewide awareness of West Virginia’s technology community; promotes and enables technology-based economic development by cooperating with economic development organizations and coordinating industry expertise; and continually educates the Legislature and other audiences as to the vital roles the technology community and workforce play in West Virginia’s overall business climate.
Timber and Wood Products – Promotes policies and implements programs that will enhance the commercial development of wood products and timber utilization.
Tourism – Recommends programs and policies to promote the state’s tourism industry.
Transportation – Monitors legislation and regulations that affect the major transportation fields (air, water, rail and highways); also recommends policies and implements programs dealing with intrastate and interstate transportation systems.
Workers’ Compensation and Unemployment Compensation – Works to promote fair and financially solvent Workers’ Compensation and Unemployment Compensation programs; monitors decisions affecting these programs; and advises Chamber members and the public of the effect these decisions have on economic development and jobs in West Virginia.