King Coal Highway Economic Advisory Board

HB 2996 renames the West Virginia Advanced Energy and Economic Corridor Authority as the King Coal Highway Economic Advisory Board and modifies its structure. The bill reduces the board's membership from 15 to 11 members, requiring representation from the economic development agencies of McDowell, Mercer, Mingo, Wayne, and Wyoming counties. It also mandates six additional members with specific industry expertise, including coal mining, oil/gas, utility, manufacturing, agriculture, and historical knowledge of the region. The board's purpose is to provide guidance on reducing regulatory barriers and fostering economic diversification for counties along the King Coal Highway, which face economic challenges linked to shifts in the coal industry.