Relating to King Coal Highway Economic Advisory Board Act

SB 221 renames the West Virginia Advanced Energy and Economic Corridor Authority to the King Coal Highway Economic Advisory Board and reduces its membership from 13 to 11 members. The bill requires the board to include representatives from the economic development agencies of McDowell, Mercer, Mingo, Wayne, and Wyoming counties, two regional planning councils, and seven Governor-appointed members with specific industry expertise (coal, oil and gas, utilities, manufacturing, and agriculture). It also mandates that the board nominate six additional members with specialized industry experience within its first three meetings. The advisory board will provide guidance to support economic development and diversification in the five counties along the King Coal Highway.