CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) - West Virginia lawmakers would get a sense of the potential economic effects of pending legislation through a measure introduced this session.
Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin has proposed that the state Development Office compile a jobs impact statement upon request.
That office coordinates the state's various economic development efforts. Friday's bill would allow it to enlist other state agencies or outside groups to aid its research.
Agencies already routinely estimate what legislation would do to government spending and revenues.
Tomblin's bill says only the governor, the House speaker or the Senate president could request a statement. The Development Office would have 20 days to provide one. The statement would then be shared with all legislators and the public.
Environmentalists have previously raised concerns about similar measures they say targeted anti-pollution regulations.
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