The Senate passed Lauren’s Law on Tuesday, legislation to increase penalties for drug-related offenses.

Senate Bill 584 is named after Lauren Cole, a 26-year-old Morgantown native and WVU graduate, who died after ingesting drugs laced with fentanyl in July 2020.

The offenders found guilty of providing Lauren with those drugs are currently serving 15-year prison sentences. Under this legislation, similar offenders could be penalized by up to 40 years in prison. Anyone guilty of transporting a controlled substance into the state would also face stricter penalties if this law is enacted, up to 30 years for more than five grams of fentanyl.

The bill now heads to the House of Delegates for consideration.

Also, on Tuesday, Senate Bill 456, that would define “men” and “women” in state code, was amended by the Senate to state that “nothing could be construed as authorizing an examination of a minor for purposes of determining the minor’s biological sex. The biological sex of a minor is determined by reference to the minor’s biological sex recorded at the minor’s time of birth.”

That amendment takes out an earlier House amendment that would have allowed a healthcare worker to perform a physical exam of a minor without parental consent.

The House of Delegates later accepted the Senate’s amendment before passing the bill. The legislation now heads to the Governor’s desk to await his signature.

The Senate is adjourned until tomorrow, March 12, at 11 a.m.

Afternoon Meetings:

Health at 1 p.m. in 451M

Finance at 3 p.m. in 451M

Judiciary at 3 p.m. in 208W

Morning Meetings for March 12:

Natural Resources at 9:30 a.m. in 208W

The House Public Education Subcommittee met this evening.

House Bill 2003 removes the distraction of cell phones by prohibiting phones and earbuds from being used in classrooms.

House Bill 2499 requires principals to have training on federal law relating to the Individuals with Disability Education Act (IEDA).

House Bill 2760 establishes a partnership between Workforce West Virginia and the WV State Board of Education for the implementation of an educational, interactive platform designed to help students with instruction in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) field with a focus on chemistry in high schools and technical schools.

House Bill 2897 requires the Legislative Auditor to conduct periodic performance and financial audits of the West Virginia Department of Education.

House Bill 2973 clarifies where legal actions involving the West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission shall be filed. The bill requires the lawsuit to be filed in Kanawha County and provide 30-day notice. If the resident or school filing is in Kanawha County, they must file the lawsuit in Boone County.

House Bill 3099 permits law enforcement to issue a citation when a student enrolled in a public school or public charter school is using nicotine on school property or at school functions.

House Bill 3125 removes restrictions on teachers without a master’s degree receiving permanent teaching licenses. The bill states that teachers with 10 consecutive years of teaching in WV in good standing can apply to receive a permanent teaching certificate in WV without having to take any additional coursework.

House Bill 3166 sets guidelines for standardized school safety mapping data.

House Energy and Public Works met this afternoon.

Markup & Passage

House Bill 2742 creates a limited waiver from the certificate of public convenience and necessity requirement for certain water or server service projects.

Naming Resolutions

House Concurrent Resolution 5 names the bridge carrying CR 050 over Glady Creek in Lewis County, the “U.S. Army PFC William Harrison Lowther Memorial Bridge.”

House Concurrent Resolution 6 names the bridge carrying CR 16/18 over Buffalo Creek in Logan County, the “U.S. Army Warrant Officer Private Sidney Washington Memorial Bridge.”

House Concurrent Resolution 7 names the bridge carrying US Route 35 over Lower Nine Mile Road, WV Route 38, in Mason County, the “U. S. Army Private First-Class John Wesley Meadows Memorial Bridge.”

House Concurrent Resolution 8 names the bridge carrying CR 009/01 over Copperas Mine Fork in Logan County, the “U.S. Army PFC Lester E. Maynard Memorial Bridge.”

House Concurrent Resolution 9 names the bridge carrying CR 079/03 over Cabin Creek at Dry Branch in Kanawha County, the “Robert S. Pomeroy Memorial Bridge.”

House Concurrent Resolution 10 names a portion of Knobley Road, beginning where U.S. Route 50 meets WV Route 9 and ending where WV Route 9 meets WV Route 18 in Mineral County, the “U. S. Marine Corps PFC Robert Thomas Taylor Memorial Road.”

House Concurrent Resolution 11 names the Fifth Street Bridge carrying WV 014 over Little Kanawha River in Wood County, the “Thomas A. Azinger Memorial Bridge.”

House Concurrent Resolution 12 names the Hundred Covered Bridge carrying CR 013 over WV Fork Fish Creek in Wetzel County, the “Charles ‘Charlie’ Goff Memorial Bridge.”

House Concurrent Resolution 13 names the Cameron Ridge Bridge, carrying CR 023 over Grave Creek in Marshall County as the “Corporal James E. Jackley Memorial Bridge.”

House Concurrent Resolution 15 names the bridge carrying IS 077 over CR 48 in Raleigh County, the “U.S. Marines PFC Delbert Carles Roles Memorial Bridge.”

House Concurrent Resolution 18 names the Johnsontown Bridge carrying WV 009 over Tilhance Creek in Berkeley County, the “Paul J. Hofe Memorial Bridge.”

House Concurrent Resolution 20 names the Stewart Street Bridge carrying CR 250/12 over the West Virginia Fork of Fish Creek in Wetzel County, the “U. S. Tustin Brothers Memorial Bridge.”

House Concurrent Resolution 21 names the Church Fork Bridge carrying US 250 over Church Fork Creek in Wetzel County, the “U. S. Army Private Terry F. Tustin Memorial Bridge.”

House Concurrent Resolution 22 names a portion of the Greentown Loop Road in Oak Hill, Fayette County, beginning at the Intersection of US 19 and WV 16 and ending at the intersection of Meadow Fork Road, the “James Monroe Ellis Memorial Road.”

House Concurrent Resolution 23 names the Dunloup Creek Bridge #1, carrying Thurmond Road/CR 25 over Dunloup Creek in Fayette County, the “U. S. Army Private First Class Calvin Esco Spade Memorial Bridge.”

House Concurrent Resolution 24 names the Littleton Bridge carrying US 250 over the West Virginia Fork of Fish Creek in Wetzel County, the “Postlethwait Brothers Memorial Bridge”.

House Concurrent Resolution 25 names the section of road located on U.S. Route 250 just North of the Moundsville city limits to just North of the intersection of W.V. Route 891 to the “Waynesburg Pike Road” and have an additional sign placed at the intersection of W.V. Route 88 and U.S. Route 250.

House Concurrent Resolution 26 names the Bradshaw Creek Bridge carrying County Route 12 over Bradshaw Creek in Summers County, the “U. S. Army Airforce Staff Sergeant Jimmie M. Hutchison Memorial Bridge.”

House Concurrent Resolution 27 names the Laurel Dale Road in Mineral County, the “U. S. Army Brigadier General Edmund Francis Roleff Memorial Road.”

House Concurrent Resolution 28 names a portion of War Ridge Road, beginning at the intersection of War Ridge Road and Ballengee Road in Summers County, to the intersection of War Ridge Road and Little Stoney Creek Road in Monroe County, the “U. S. Army Private First Class Frank Maddy Memorial Road.”

House Concurrent Resolution 29 names 2.9 miles of County Route 9, also known as Knobley Road, from its intersection with County Route 16 (Headsville Road) southward to its intersection with County Route 14 (Limestone Road), the “Sheriff Jeremy Taylor Memorial Road”.

House Concurrent Resolution 31 names the Dunbar Toll Bridge, carrying 10th Street over Kanawha River in Kanawha County, the “U. S. Army Lieutenant Colonel Quewanncoii “Que” C. Stephens, Sr. Memorial Bridge.”

House Concurrent Resolution 32 names Colcord Bridge carrying CR 01/04 over Clear Fork in Raleigh County, the “U. S. Army PVT Leon ‘Deacon’ Stover Memorial Bridge.”

House Concurrent Resolution 34 names Mouth of Seneca Bridge, carrying WV 28 and WV 55 over Seneca Creek in Pendleton County, the “U. S. Merchant Marine J. Ward Teter Memorial Bridge.”

House Concurrent Resolution 35 names a portion of Main Street East in Fayette County, beginning at the intersection with Patterson Avenue and ending with the intersection with Lochgelly Road, the “U. S. Air Force Sergeant Thomas Madison Oxley Memorial Road.”

House Concurrent Resolution 36 names the Main Street Bridge in Fayette County, the “U. S. Marine Corps Private First-Class Darrell Lee Burgess Memorial Bridge.”

House Concurrent Resolution 37 names the bridge carrying Interstate 64 over Broad Hollow Road in Wayne County, the “CPT Ray Leslie Memorial Bridge.”

House Concurrent Resolution 39 names a portion of Route 2 in Benwood, Marshall County, as the “Gold Star Mother Catherine Blake Highway”, with two gold stars after her name.

House Concurrent Resolution 42 names the Rocky Fork Bridge carrying County Route 622 over Rocky Fork Creek in Kanawha County, the “U. S. Army Corporal Kenneth H. Tinsley Memorial Bridge.”

House Concurrent Resolution 44 names the Ashton Woods Bridge carrying CR 055/20 over US 48X in Hardy County, the “U. S. Army SP4 Charles W. Wolfe Memorial Bridge.”

House Concurrent Resolution 45 names the New Buzzard Ford Bridge carrying CR 013 over the South Branch Potomac River in Hardy County, the “Charlotte Denise Seymore Hill Memorial Bridge.”

Committee Hearings

House Bill 2393 requires reporting from the Mountaineer Trail Network Authority each year to the Joint Committee on Economic Development.

House Bill 2451 creates home-based businesses for the manufacture, provision, or sale of goods or services in the owner’s residential dwelling. The business must be a “no-impact” business, meaning the number of employees and clients do not exceed the municipal occupancy capacity, business activities are limited to the sale of lawful goods and services, do not generate increased traffic or parking needs, occur in the home or the yard, and are not visible from the street.  

House Bill 2479 drops the number of required members for an economic development authority from 12 to seven.

House Bill 2835 creates the WV Infrastructure Deployment Clearinghouse.

House Bill 2856 allows for the installation of broadband fiber optics on property with conservation easements.

House Bill 2878 requires railroad companies and the Division of Highways to enter into a memorandum of understanding for construction and maintenance activities. The companies are required to provide alternative entry and exit ways.

House Bill 3135 creates a new crime for obstructing highways or passageways. The bill was explained as obstructing in protest. Initially, the crime is a misdemeanor with a $500 fine and imprisonment of at least a month. If the person commits the crime in an aggravating manner, the crime is a felony with a fine of at least $1,000 and imprisonment for 3 months to 3 years.

House Bill 3144 encourages the development of wireless infrastructure.

House Bill 3146 lowers the number of applicants of a military organization for a special plate from 100 to 50.

House Bill 3231 requires lessees of West Virginia real estate who make natural resources royalty payments for in-state property to any nonresident lessor to withhold West Virginia personal income tax on natural resources royalty payments. This applies to lessors who owe more than $1,000.

Today, the House convened and passed four bills.

Before today’s floor session, House Rules met and moved House Bill 2060 and House Bill 2054 to the inactive House Calendar. House Bill 2008 and House Bill 2009 were moved to the active Special Calendar, and then both were advanced to third with the right to amend.

The four bills that head to the Senate are:

Senate Bill 240 creates the crimes of sexual extortion and aggravated sexual extortion. A person commits sexual extortion (or sextortion) if they knowingly and intentionally disclose or threaten to disclose private photos of another person to compel the victim, the victim’s spouse, child, or other family member, to do or not do something against their will. If found guilty of felony sexual extortion, one could be imprisoned for 1 to 5 years for the first offense, 3 to 10 years for the second offense, and 10 to 20 years for a third and subsequent offense. Aggravated sexual extortion is sexual extortion that involves a minor or vulnerable adult; or if the victim suffers serious bodily injury or death.  If found guilty of felony aggravated sexual extortion, one could be imprisoned for 10 to 20 years.

House Bill 2267 is a rule bundle for the Department of Revenue. The agencies included in the rules are the Alcohol Beverage Control Administration, Insurance Commission, Lottery Commission, and Tax Division.

House Bill 2710, the Truth in Giving Act, requires thrift operators to provide signage indicating whether they are a 504C charity organization or a for-profit organization at donation drop-off and on the store door. This allows donors to know who/what they are donating to. The bill came about because individuals thought they were donating to charity, but they were donating to for-profit businesses.

House Bill 2871 changes negligent homicide to vehicular homicide. Vehicular homicide remains a misdemeanor with a fine of $1,000 to $10,000 and/or up to a year in jail. The bill adds to this section of the code aggravated vehicular homicide and vehicular homicide in a school zone or construction zone. Aggravated vehicular homicide is when one acts with deliberate disregard for the safety of others. The felony offense can be fined up to $20,000 and/or imprisoned for 1 to 5 years. For vehicular homicide in a school or construction zone, the individual would be guilty of a felony and may be fined $2,500 to $5,000 and/or imprisoned for 2 to 10 years. The bill was amended to include embryo/fetus as a protected person in vehicular homicides.

Bills introduced today can be found here.

The House is adjourned until 11 a.m. tomorrow, March 11, 2025.

Committee Meetings, Today March 10

• The Appropriations Subcommittee will meet at 1 p.m. in Room 460.
• The Subcommittee on Agriculture, Commerce, and Tourism will meet at 1 p.m. in Room 215E.
• The Committee on Education will meet at 1 p.m. in Room 432M.
• The Subcommittee on Economic Development will meet at 1 p.m. in the McManus Room.
• The Subcommittee on Government Administration will meet at 2 p.m. in Room 215E
• The Subcommittee on Energy and Public Works will meet at 3 p.m. in Room 410.
• The Subcommittee on Human Services will meet at 3 p.m. in Room 215E.
• The Subcommittee on Public Health will meet at 3:30 p.m. in Room 215E.
• The Subcommittee on Public Education will meet at 5 p.m. in Room 432M.

Committee Meetings, tomorrow March 11

• The Finance Committee will meet at 9 a.m. in Room 460.
• The Judiciary Committee will meet at 9 a.m. in Room 410.
• The Subcommittee on Courts will meet at 9:30 a.m. in Room 410.
• The Subcommittee on Legal Services will meet at 9:45 a.m. in Room 410.
• The Subcommittee on Homeland Security will meet at 10 a.m. in Room 410.
• The Subcommittee on Banking and Insurance will meet at 1 p.m. in Room 460.
• The Committee on Government Organization will meet at 1 p.m. in Room 215E.
• The Subcommittee on Public Education will meet at 1 p.m. in Room 432M.
• The Subcommittee on Educational Choice will meet at 1:40 p.m. in Room 432M.
• The Subcommittee on Local Governments will meet at 2 p.m. in Room 215E.
• The Subcommittee on Higher Education will meet at 2:20 p.m. in Room 432M.
• The Subcommittee on Investments will meet at 3 p.m. in Room 460.
• The Committee on Health and Human Resources will meet at 3:30 p.m. in Room 215E.

The Senate passed a school discipline bill on Monday, legislation intended to help teachers deal with extreme student behaviors.

Senate Bill 199 outlines specific actions for teachers of grades K-6 to take when a student exhibits violent, threatening, or disruptive behavior: immediate removal of the student, parental notification, potential suspension, evaluation and a possible alternative learning environment.

The student would be sent to the school’s counselor, school social worker, school psychologist or behavior inhibitionist who would be required to conduct a functional behavioral assessment.

This staff member would create a “behavior plan” for the student that would be followed for two weeks. If adequate progress is being made after two weeks then that plan would continue. If the student is not making progress, then the behavioral plan could be changed and followed for another two weeks.

If the student is still not showing progress after two weeks of following the amended behavior plan, the student is to be placed in a behavioral intervention program or with a licensed behavioral health agency where the county has access.

If the county has no behavioral intervention program, the student would be immediately removed from the classroom, parents would be notified to pick up the child, and the student would be suspended for one to three days while alternative accommodations are made.

The student would not return to school until a risk assessment is done. After the risk assessment, the student could return to school provisionally for five to 10 days. If another incident occurs, the student would be placed in an alternative learning environment for the rest of the semester or school year.

This bill now heads to the House of Delegates for consideration.

The Senate is adjourned until tomorrow, March 11, at 11 a.m.

Afternoon Meetings:

Workforce at 1 p.m. in 208W

Transportation at 1 p.m. in 451M

Pensions at 2 p.m. in 451M

Energy at 2 p.m. in 208W

Finance at 3 p.m. in 451M

Judiciary at 3 p.m. in 208W

Morning Meetings for March 11:

Education at 9:30 a.m. in 451M

Gov. Org. at 9:30 a.m. in 208W

The House convened today to pass seven bills. House Bill 2060 was postponed one day.

Senate Bill 456 defines “male,” “female,” and “biological sex” throughout the West Virginia Code. It defines single-sex spaces.

Senate Bill 490 prohibits ranked choice voting in elections in West Virginia.

House Bill 2129, the Parents Bill of Rights, states that parents have a fundamental right to direct the upbringing, education, care, and medical care of their children and that the government cannot infringe upon those rights. There are limitations to prevent child abuse and other unlawful actions of the parent. The bill allows any parent who feels their rights have been violated to bring an action for injunctive relief against a person violating the article.

House Bill 2560 creates Infrastructure Ready Jurisdictions, by incentivizing municipalities to not have additional permitting requirements, other than those found in state code.

House Bill 2678 allows private schools to request a Division of Highways designation of a school zone.

House Bill 2942 extends the sunset date for the WV Department of Environmental Protection’s Design-Build Pilot Program to December 31, 2027.

House Bill 2943 extends the sunset date for the hazardous waste management fee to June 30, 2030

On Second Reading, House Bill 2054 was postponed one day. Senate Bill 240 was amended. The remaining bills advanced without amendment.

Senate Bill 240 creates a felony for those engaging or threatening to engage in sexual extortion. The bill outlines penalties. The bill was amended to include others living in the home with the victim other than the child or spouse.

Resolutions introduced today can be found here.
Bills introduced can be found here.

The House is adjourned until 11 a.m. Monday, March 10, 2025.

Committee Meetings, Today March 7

• The Subcommittee on Legal Services will meet immediately after the floor session in Room 410.
• The Subcommittee on Homeland Security will meet after LS in Room 410.
• The Committee on Government Organization will meet at 1 p.m. in Room 215E.
• The Subcommittee on Higher Education will meet at 1 p.m. in Room 432M.
• The Subcommittee on Educational Choice will meet at 2 p.m. in Room 432M.

Committee Meetings, Monday, March 10

• The Appropriations Subcommittee will meet at 9 a.m. in Room 460.
• The Judiciary Committee will meet at 9 a.m. in Room 410.
• The Subcommittee on Courts will meet at 9:30 a.m. in Room 410.
• The Subcommittee on Legal Services will meet at 9:45 a.m. in Room 410.
• The Subcommittee on Homeland Security will meet at 10 a.m. in Room 410.
• The Rules Committee will meet at 10:45 a.m. in the Speaker’s Conference Room
• The Subcommittee on Agriculture, Commerce, and Tourism will meet at 1 p.m. in Room 215E.
• The Committee on Education will meet at 1 p.m. in Room 432M.
• The Subcommittee on Economic Development will meet at 1 p.m. in Room 460.
• The Subcommittee on Government Administration will meet at 2 p.m. in Room 215E
• The Subcommittee on Energy and Public Works will meet at 3 p.m. in Room 410.
• The Subcommittee on Health Care Regulation will meet at 3 p.m. in Room 215E.
• The Subcommittee on Public Health will meet at 3:30 p.m. in Room 215E.
• The Subcommittee on Human Services will meet at 4 p.m. in Room 215E.
• The Subcommittee on Public Education will meet at 5 p.m. in Room 432M.

The Senate passed five bills during Friday morning’s floor session.

Senate Bill 22 would enact enhanced damages for nonpayment of royalties due from oil, natural gas, or natural gas liquids production under the terms of a lease or other agreement.

Senate Bill 117 would permit physicians to be exempt from specified traffic laws when responding to an emergency call. The legislation provides that the physician must continue to exercise due care and provides for rule making.

Senate Bill 267 would permit holders of commercial driver’s licenses that have been downgraded solely as a result of their medical certification becoming expired or invalid to restore their commercial license upon presentation of a valid current medical certification.

Senate Bill 503 would allow sheriffs to appoint more than one chief deputy with consent of county commission.

Senate Bill 573 would provide prohibitions on the use and sale of motor vehicles based on the energy source used to power the vehicle.

These bills now head to the House of Delegates for consideration.

The Senate is adjourned until Monday, March 10, at 11 a.m.

Morning Meetings for Monday, March 10:

Gov. Org at 9:30 a.m. in 208W

The Judiciary Committee met this morning.

Markup & Passage

House Bill 2131 gives the WV Legislature legal standing in court actions related to unauthorized election law and rule changes by state officials. Both chambers would have to agree to bring suit and hire a lawyer.

House Bill 2164 authorizes local school boards, public charter schools, and private/religious schools to employ school safety officers (SSOs). The SSOs would be authorized to carry a firearm on school property. They are not law enforcement and have no power to arrest, but they can detain individuals on school property. School boards must obtain insurance. The Guardian Program was added to the committee substitute.

House Bill 2351 increases compensation for panel attorneys of the Public Defender Services to $80 for out-of-court work and $100 for in-court work. The PDS must report a summary of legal services.

Committee Hearing

House Bill 2067, the West Virginia Firearms Liability Clarification Act, gives firearms manufacturers protections from liability when an individual uses a firearm to commit a crime.

House Bill 2881 expands the number of members in the Child Abuse and Neglect Investigation Unit to 19. The bill allows for retired State Police to be a part of the unit.

House Bill 3017 requires ballot tabulating equipment to not be connected to the internet. The bill requires inspections and audits by the clerk. The Secretary of State will also do random inspections.

The Senate passed two bills dealing with transgender issues during Thursday’s floor session.

Senate Bill 299 would modify state regulations on pubertal modulation, hormonal therapy, and gender reassignment.

The legislation would restrict gender affirming care for minors. The bill amends existing codes to prohibit physicians, physician assistants, and advanced practice registered nurses from providing gender reassignment surgeries and gender-altering medications to minors, with very limited exceptions for certain medical conditions.

The Legislature passed a near-total ban on medication-based gender affirming care in West Virginia in 2023. This bill would remove a previous exception from two years ago that currently allows hormonal therapy for severe gender dysphoria under specific conditions, such as multiple mental health and medical professional opinions, along with parental consent.

The legislation stipulates that violation of the law by medical professionals would constitute unprofessional conduct, subject to disciplinary actions by licensing boards. The bill would allow individuals to pursue legal recourse for actual or threatened violations, including compensatory damages and injunctive relief. The legislation also empowers the Attorney General to enforce compliance.

Supporters of this bill argue it is a way of protecting children from potentially harmful and irreversible procedures, while opponents are concerned about the potential for increased suicide and self-harm risk among transgender youth if access to care is abolished.

If the bill completes legislative action it would take effect on Aug. 1. There is currently no grandfather provision in the legislation for individuals that are already receiving treatment when the law takes effect.

Also on Thursday, the body passed Senate Bill 154, which aims to restrict instruction related to sexual orientation and gender identity in public schools.

The bill prohibits public school employees from knowingly providing false or misleading information to parents and/or guardians regarding a student’s gender identity or intention to transition. The legislation mandates that school employees report student requests for accommodations when affirming a gender identity different from their biological sex to school administrators, who must then inform the student’s parents.

The bill establishes an administrative process for addressing violations, including a complaint procedure, school investigation, and potential sanctions against educators. These sanctions include a written warning for the first offense, a 30-day suspension without pay for the second offense, and a recommendation for termination for the third offense.

Under the legislation, aggrieved party can file a complaint with the school, and if unsatisfied, appeal to the board of education, and subsequently file a lawsuit in civil court to seek damages.

Supporters of the bill have argued that children exploring their gender identity may be struggling with their mental health and that parents should be aware of these issues.

Opponents of the legislation fear it could harm vulnerable students who may not feel safe disclosing their gender identity to their parents.

The bills now head to the House of Delegates for consideration.

The Senate is adjourned until tomorrow, March 7, at 10 a.m.

Afternoon Meetings:

Judiciary at 3 p.m. in 208W

Finance at 3 p.m. in 451M

Morning Meetings for March 7:

Military at 9 a.m. in 208W

In today’s House floor session, five bills passed to the Senate, and two bills were amended.

House Bill 2117 amends absentee voting. The bill requires ballots to be received by 7:30 p.m. on the election day. Currently, the absentee vote must be postmarked by election day and arrive by canvassing. The bill also rolled in another bill to limit the number of absentee voting applications an individual can hand out to a group of voters without the voters specifically requesting them to provide 10 applications.

House Bill 2441 disqualifies individuals who fail a drug test while working in a safety-sensitive position from claiming unemployment.

House Bill 2444 allows the Lottery Commission to examine financial records only related to limited video lottery (LVL) when reviewing the LVL permittee’s financial records.

House Bill 2653 updates the outdated code of the West Virginia Law Institute.

House Bill 2709 allows voters who have moved within the county to vote in their new precinct without having to cast a provisional ballot. The individual must provide proof of address change, such as a license or utility bill.

Senate Bill 456 defines sex, male, and female in the West Virginia code.  Two amendments were offered. The first amendment states that nothing in the article authorizes any person other than a healthcare provider to visually or physically examine a child to verify the biological sex of the child without the consent of the child’s parents. This amendment was adopted. The second amendment was similar and added that nothing in the section allowed an inspection of the genitalia of an adult or a child. This amendment was rejected.

House Bill 2129 creates the Parents Bill of Rights. One amendment was offered and adopted. The amendment allows an individual to bring an action for injunctive relief against someone who violates this article.

Action on House Bill 2054 was postponed one day.

Bills introduced today can be found here.

The House is adjourned until 11 a.m. tomorrow, March 7, 2025.

Committee Meetings, Today March 6

• The Appropriations Subcommittee will meet at 1 p.m. in Room 460.
• The Subcommittee on Agriculture, Commerce, and Tourism will meet at 1 p.m. in Room 215E.
• The Committee on Education will meet at 1 p.m. in Room 432M.
• The Subcommittee on Government Administration will meet at 2 p.m. in Room 215E
• The Subcommittee on Energy and Public Works will meet at 3 p.m. in Room 410.
• The Committee on Health and Human Resources will meet at 3:30 p.m. in Room 215E.
• The Subcommittee on Environment, Infrastructure, and Technology will meet immediately after EPW in Room 410.

Committee Meetings, Tomorrow March 7

• The Appropriations Subcommittee will meet at 9 a.m. in Room 460.
• The Judiciary Committee will meet at 9 a.m. in Room 410.
• The Subcommittee on Courts will meet at 9:30 a.m. in Room 410.
• The Subcommittee on Legal Services will meet at 9:45 a.m. in Room 410.
• The Subcommittee on Homeland Security will meet at 10 a.m. in Room 410.
• The Committee on Government Organization will meet at 1 p.m. in Room 215E.
• The Subcommittee on Higher Education will meet at 1 p.m. in Room 432M.
• The Subcommittee on Educational Choice will meet at 2 p.m. in Room 432M.