MORGANTOWN – The Senate Finance Committee Monday took up the bill to make the offices of Tourism and Economic Development into cabinet departments and passed it in just a few minutes with no discussion.
The bill is HB 2019. Gov. Jim Justice announced the plan during his State of the State Address Feb. 10. It passed the House last Wednesday by a vote of 86-13.
If the bill becomes law, current Economic Development Director — and former Senate President — Mitch Carmichael will become Economic Development secretary. Tourism Director Chelsea Ruby will become Tourism secretary.
Senate Finance passed it in a unanimous voice vote without amendment. It now goes to the full Senate.
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