Blog – Page 120

Senate Completes Action on Racetrack Modernization Fund

Senate Floor Session

Christopher Marshall

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March 24, 2021

Senate Completes Action on Racetrack Modernization Fund

The Senate concurred in the House amendments Wednesday, completing action on Senate Bill 9, which would continue the Racetrack Modernization Fund.

This legislation allows the racetracks to request funds from the state Lottery Commission to buy new video lottery machines, among other items. The roughly $10 million, is cash that originally came from gambling revenues.

The yearly appropriation, which has been in place for close to a decade, helps Mardi Gras Casino in Nitro, Mountaineer Racetrack in Chester, Wheeling Island Casino in Wheeling and Hollywood Casino in Charles Town.

Supporters of this legislation contended that with the casinos already paying a very high tax rate, they need this money to remain competitive with casinos in surrounding states.

Opponents of the bill questioned why the state continues to subsidize the casinos given that they are owned by out of state companies.

The bill now heads to the Governor’s desk to await his signature.

The Senate is adjourned until tomorrow, March 25, at 11 a.m.

All meetings are available for streaming on our Legislature Live page.

Pensions will meet at 2:30 p.m. in 451M

Finance will meet at 3 p.m. in 451M

Judiciary will meet at 3 p.m. in 208W.

House Passes Business Fee Waiver for Active-Duty Military Members

House Floor Session

Cheyenne DeBolt

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March 24, 2021

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House Passes Business Fee Waiver for Active-Duty Military Members

Ten bills passed from the House today, including House Bill 2874, House Bill 3045, and House Bill 3164.

House Bill 2874 extends the current veteran’s business fee waivers to active-duty military members, their spouses and immediate family members.

House Bill 3045 removes the sunset provision of July 1, 2023 that would end a rebuttable presumption for workers’ compensation benefits claims that a professional firefighter developed certain types of cancer arising out of and in the course of employment as a firefighter.

House Bill 3164 removes the language that transporting a victim is needed to be charged with kidnapping.

House Bill 3102 was moved to the House Calendar. House Bills 2702 and 2792 were moved to the Special Calendar.

The House is adjourned until 11:00 am tomorrow, March 25, 2021.

Committees

Today’s Meetings

The Workforce Development Committee will meet at 1 pm in the House Chamber.
The Committee on Education will meet at 2 pm in Room 434M.
The Committee on Veterans Affairs and Homeland Security will meet at 3 pm in Room 215E.
The PEIA Subcommittee will meet at 4pm in Room 410M.
The Finance Committee will meet at 4 pm in Room 460M.

Tomorrow’s Meetings

The Judiciary Committee will meet at 8am in Room 410M.
The Finance Committee will meet at 9am in Room 460M.
The Rules Committee will meet at 10:45 am in Room 434M.
The Education Committee will meet at 1 pm in Room 434M
The Committee on Government Organization will meet at 2 pm in Room 215E.

A Virtual Public Hearing will be held on Thursday, March 25, 2021 at 3 pm on House Bill 3300 – Relating to reducing personal income tax rates generally.

Ag and Natural Resources Moves to Expand Coyote Control Program

House Committee

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March 24, 2021

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Ag and Natural Resources Moves to Expand Coyote Control Program

The Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources met this morning and advanced four bills.

Senate Bill 61 expands the Coyote Control Program to include breeding cows on a voluntary basis.

Senate Bill 339 expands the protection from nuisance suits to include agriculture operations, such as urban agriculture, aquaponics, and hydroponics.

Senate Bill 359 requires law enforcement investigating an accident to notify a landowner of fence damages if livestock are present.

Senate Bill 66 allows for donation request when purchasing hunting and fishing licenses to go to WVU Rifle Team.

Bill to Hold Local Elections with State Elections Advances

House Committee

Cheyenne DeBolt

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March 23, 2021

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Bill to Hold Local Elections with State Elections Advances

The House Judiciary Committee meet at 9 am and 4 pm today, advancing several bills.

House Bill 3106, as amended, increases the time for a bond hearing to 5 days. The bill also changes that any magistrate or judge can hold the hearing. A committee substitute adds failure to hold meeting within 5 days the person may be released on PR bond unless it is a crime against a person.

House Bill 2927 adds caregiving expenses to lawful elections, The Secretary of State would create rules relating to the expenses.

House Bill 2592 provides that all local elections be held on a date that a state election is being held.

House Bill 3269 requires the DEP to assume all costs necessary for certification by a registered professional engineer and permits a privately owned dam before the secretary may recover costs for remediation from an owner. The bill advances to Finance.

House Bill Originating clarifies appointments to ballot vacancies. It closes a loophole which counties have been able to appoint ballot vacancies after the primary election.

Action on House Bill 2997 has been Postpone until Thursday, March 25, 2021.

House Bill Originating relates to work release. It establishes a program for reentry and housing.

Senate Passes Two Veterans Bills

Senate Floor Session

Christopher Marshall

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March 23, 2021

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The Senate passed two bills to benefit veterans during Tuesday’s floor session.

Senate Bill 479 would move authority for the West Virginia veterans service decoration and West Virginia Service Cross to the Division of Veterans Affairs.

Senate Bill 586 would provide a 50 percent discount on all fees and charges relating to state parks for West Virginia veterans.

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

The Senate has adjourned until tomorrow, March 24, at 11 a.m.

Streaming is available for all meetings on our Legislature Live page.

Government Organization will meet at 2:15 p.m. in 208W.

Education will meet at 2:15 p.m. and then plan to reconvene at 5 p.m. in 451M.

Judiciary will meet at 3:15 p.m. in 208W.

Finance will meet at 3:15 p.m. in 451M.

Health and Human Resources will meet at 4:15 p.m. in 451M.

Workforce will meet tomorrow at 10 a.m. in 208W.

House Passes Mylissa Smith’s Law

House Floor Session

Cheyenne DeBolt

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March 23, 2021

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Today, the House passed nine bills and one resolution.

House Bills 2933, 3009, and 3079 were moved to the House Calendar. House Bill 2785 and House Bill 2630 were moved to the Special Calendar.

House Resolution 17 urges the US President to appoint Dr. Rahul Gupta as the Director of the Office of National Drug Control.

Senate Bill 9 extends the Licensed Racetrack Modernization Fund to July 1, 2030. The fund is created within the lottery fund. This fund helps the four racetracks in the state to update and compete with neighboring states.

House Bill 2368, Mylissa Smith’s Law, creates patient visitation rights during the pandemic. The bill also protects facilities from being liable for any exposure that could arise as part of the visitation.

House Bill 2785 makes three changes: 1.) Parents make decision to remove their child from kindergarten program, 2.) Removes placement requirement to enroll in first grade for students who attend certain Montessori programs, and 3.) Requires that out-of-state students be placed in the grade from which they transferred.

Action was delayed one day on House Bill 2874 and House Bill 3107.

The House is adjourned until 11:00 am tomorrow, March 24, 2021.

Committees

Today’s Meetings

The Education Committee will meet at 3 pm in the House Chamber.
The Committee on Government Organization will meet at 3 pm in 215E.
The Finance Committee will meet at 4pm in Room 460M.
The Judiciary Committee will meet at 4pm in Room 410M.

Tomorrow’s Meetings

The Committee on Technology and Infrastructure will meet at 9 am in Room 215E.
The Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources will meet at 9 am in the House Chamber.
The Committee on Pensions and Retirement will meet at 10 am in 460M.
The Rules Committee will meet at 10:45 am in Room 434M.
The Workforce Development Committee will meet at 1 pm in the House Chamber.
The Committee on Veterans Affairs and Homeland Security will meet at 3 pm in 215E.
The PEIA Subcommittee will meet at 4pm in 215E.

A Virtual Public Hearing will be held on Thursday, March 25, 2021 at 3 pm on House Bill 3300 – Relating to reducing personal income tax rates generally.

Direct Payment Adoption Fees Bill Advances

House Committee

Cheyenne DeBolt

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March 22, 2021

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Direct Payment Adoption Fees Bill Advances

The Judiciary met twice today, at 9:30 am and at 1:30 pm. The committee advanced several bills, including the following:

House Bill 2842 prohibits municipalities from banning certain utility companies.

House Bill 2747 transfers the Parole Board to the Office of Administrative Hearings.

House Bill 3254 allows members of development authorities to receive federally authorized reimbursement for service which the member rendered on a voluntary basis.

Senate Bill 439 allows admission of evidence in a civil action of the use or nonuse of a safety belt on the issue of negligence, contributory negligence, comparative negligence and failure to mitigate damages.

House Bill 3261, as amended, specifies the direct payment of adoption attorney fees to the attorney. Currently, the payment goes to the parents adopting to pay the attorney. The bill also prohibits the direct referral of attorneys from the DHHR.

The Subcommittee on 3106 reported by to the Judiciary Committee. The bill will be discussed at a later meeting.

Senate Passes Bill to Expand Use of Telemedicine

Senate Floor Session

Christopher Marshall

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March 22, 2021

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Senate Passes Bill to Expand Use of Telemedicine

The Senate passed a bill that would expand the use of telemedicine to all medical personnel during Monday’s floor session.

House Bill 2024 would expand the use of telemedicine by allowing medical personnel to participate in telemedicine visits, and eliminate the ability of medical professional boards to restrict telemedicine.

The bill would establish a procedure for registration with the appropriate licensing boards that would permit healthcare providers licensed in other states to practice telemedicine in West Virginia.

The bill also recognizes audio-only telemedicine.

The Senate amended the title of the bill. It now heads back to the House of Delegates for final approval.

The Senate is adjourned until Tuesday, March 23, at 11 a.m.

You can follow all afternoon committee meetings on our Legislature Live page.

Banking and Insurance will meet at 2 p.m. in 451M.

Judiciary will meet at 3 p.m. in 208W.

Finance will meet at 3 p.m. in 451M.

Transportation and Infrastructure will meet tomorrow at 10 a.m. in 451M.

Bill Modernizing Income Tax Collection Passes House

House Floor Session

Cheyenne DeBolt

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March 22, 2021

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Bill Modernizing Income Tax Collection Passes House

Nine bills advanced from the House floor today, including HB 2026.

House Bill 2026 modernizes the collection of income taxes by adopting uniform treatment of mobile employee income. The bill also changes the apportionment of sales of services and intangible personal property to market sourcing.

Nine Bills were read for the second time, including Senate Bill 9 and Senate Bill 10.

Senate Bill 9 continues the Licensed Racetrack Modernization Fund.

Senate Bill 10 changes the due date of the racetrack table game renewal license fee from July 1 to October 1.

The House is adjourned until 11:00 am tomorrow, March 23, 2021.

Committees

Today’s Meetings

The Education Committee will meet at 1 pm in the House Chamber.
The Subcommittee on HB 3106 will meet at 1 pm in 418M.
The Judiciary Committee will meet at 1:30 pm in 418M.
The Committee on Health and Human Resources will meet at 2pm in Room 215E.
The Finance Committee will meet at 4 pm in 462M.

Tomorrow’s Meetings

The Committee on Technology and Infrastructure will meet at 8 am in the House Chamber.
The Finance Committee will meet at 9 am in Room 462M.
The Judiciary Committee will meet at 9 am in Room 418M.
The Committee on Health and Human Resources will meet at 9 am in Room 215E.
The Rules Committee will meet at 10:45 am in 434M.
The Education Committee will meet at 2 pm in the House Chamber.
The Committee on Government Organization will meet at 2 pm in 215E.

House Concurs with Senate on Pre-Candidacy Filing Bill

House Floor Session

Cheyenne DeBolt

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March 19, 2021

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House Concurs with Senate on Pre-Candidacy Filing Bill

Today, the House concurred with the Senate to complete five pieces of legislation.

House Bill 2009 limits the use of wages and agency shop fees by employers and labor organizations for political activities. It prohibits any person from coercing or intimidating any employee into making a political contribution or engaging in any form of political activity. It prohibits employers withholding or diverting any portion of an employee’s wages or salary for political activities without express, written authorization.

House Bill 2263 updates the regulation of pharmacy benefit managers.

House Bill 2372 allows pre-candidacy papers to be filed the day after the general election.

House Bill 2616 eliminates the submission of a report to the Governor and the Legislature, but requires that information to be continuously available on the Office of Health Facility Licensure and Certification’s website

House Bill 2682 replaces a certified mail requirement with an electronic mail or regular mail requirement regarding the issuance of license suspensions by the Insurance Commissioner to insurance producers and insurance adjusters who have failed to meet continuing education requirements.

The House also passed 12 bills to the Senate, including House Bill 2174, which is the WV Monument and Memorial Protection Act.

The House is adjourned until 11:00 am Monday, March 22, 2021.

Committees

Today’s Meetings

The Judiciary Committee will meet at 3:15 pm in Room 418M.

Monday’s Meetings

The Judiciary Committee will meet at 9:30 am in 418M.
The Rules Committee will meet at 10:45 am in 434M.
The Education Committee will meet at 1 pm in the House Chamber.
The Committee on Government Organization will meet at 1 pm in Room 215E.
The Subcommittee on HB 3106 will meet at 1:30 pm in 418M.