Section 17-16F-1 - Legislative findings and creation of division\ (a) The Legislature finds and declares that there is a need to streamline the execution and implementation of the state's multimodal transportation goals and reduce related costs by consolidating existing multimodal authorities to a single division, known as the West Virginia Division of Multimodal Transportation Facilities, under the Secretary of Transportation pursuant to the provisions of chapter 5F of this code. The Department of Transportation, through the West Virginia Division of Multimodal Transportation Facilities, is designated as the agency of this state responsible for administering all federal and state programs related to public ports, railroads, aeronautics, airports, and air navigation facilities.(b) The Legislature further finds and declares that the establishment of local port authority districts will enhance the efficiency and cost of the movement of goods and services to and from markets in this state and will encourage the construction and completion of local infrastructure projects for all types of transportation systems.(c) On July 1, 2022, the Public Port Authority, the West Virginia State Rail Authority, the Division of Public Transit, and the West Virginia State Aeronautics Commission are reestablished, reconstituted, and continued as the West Virginia Division of Multimodal Transportation Facilities, an agency of the state. The purpose of the division is to administer all federal and state programs related to public ports, railroad transportation and commerce, public transit, aeronautics, airports, and air navigation facilities in the State of West Virginia, and thereby to encourage and facilitate growth and economic development opportunities utilizing such transport facilities. The powers and duties heretofore imposed upon the Public Port Authority, the West Virginia State Rail Authority, Division of Public Transit, and the West Virginia State Aeronautics Commission are transferred to and imposed upon the West Virginia Division of Multimodal Transportation Facilities in the manner prescribed by this article.(d) It is the intent of this article to consolidate into the West Virginia Division of Multimodal Transportation Facilities those entities and employees performing functions which will be facilitated by their consolidation. The Department of Transportation shall provide appropriate office locations necessary to fulfill the functions of the division.(e) On the effective date of this article, all real property interests, vehicles, equipment contracts or agreements, interests under any existing insurance policy, and records belonging to the Public Port Authority, the West Virginia State Rail Authority, the Division of Public Transit, and the West Virginia State Aeronautics Commission shall be transferred to the West Virginia Division of Multimodal Transportation Facilities. Any state funds, special revenue funds, and all accounts created for the benefit or use of the Public Port Authority, the West Virginia State Rail Authority, the Division of Public Transit, and the West Virginia State Aeronautics Commission are transferred to the West Virginia Division of Multimodal Transportation Facilities in accordance with the provisions of this article.Amended by 2024 Acts, ch. TBD (SB 874), eff. 6/6/2024.Added by 2022 Acts, ch. 144 (HB 4492), eff. 3/12/2022.