Public Hearing Rescheduled on Home Owners' Property Rights

 Due to the sudden and unexpected illness of the Political Subdivisions Chair, the previous public hearing on January 21st was postponed, but now has been rescheduled for 5:30 PM, Thursday, February 6th. (Read on for further details)

Delegate Larry D. Kump has introduced HB 4007, Sewage & Water Property Rights (Political Subdivisions Committee), to prohibit public utility districts from forcing those living in owner-occupied residences to participate in a water or sewer system, except when those private systems are proved unsafe or a public safety hazard.

At 5:30 PM, Thursday, February 6th, 2014, a rescheduled public hearing on this issue will be held in the Chamber of the West Virginia House of Delegates (1900 Kanawha Blvd East, Charleston, WV 25305). Citizen public testimony is invited.

"I am hearing from homeowners across West Virginia about being forced to hook up to public sewer systems," said Kump.

"This is a violation of our personal property rights, not to mention the fact that, in this economy, it can bankrupt those forced to do so. This is especially true for those on fixed incomes, as well as so many others who are having such a hard time providing for their families."

With price tags in the multiple thousands of dollars, these mandatory "hook up" orders even has caused some homeowners to take out a second mortgage on their homes.

"Life, liberty and property are three basic principles that our founding fathers held most sacred. It is the duty of our West Virginia elected officials to protect the property rights of our constituents", continued the Falling Waters legislator.

"These intrusions into our very homes violate our most basic rights, which are enshrined in both our Federal and State Constitutions.

I call upon other elected officials and citizens to join with me in this fight to protect the property rights of West Virginia home owners."

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