Blog – Page 153

Senate Passes Higher Education Reform Bill

Senate Floor Session

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January 23, 2019

The Senate met Wednesday morning and unanimously passed a higher education bill and was reported to the House of Delegates.

Senate Bill 1 relates to increasing accesses to career education and workforce training for the citizens of West Virginia. This bill would specifically impact community and technical colleges throughout the state. The bill would the establish the Advanced Career Education (ACE) programs and creates the West Virginia Invests Grant Program.

The ACE will prepare students in secondary schools for community and technical college for an associate’s degree or work certification. The program would require pathways that consist of a curriculum of courses leading to an associate degree or certification that has been determined to satisfy an area of workforce need as determined the Department of Commerce.

The WV Invests Grants will provide tuition assistance to qualifying students who pursue higher education at a community or technical college. The bill also provides a provision for the Grant that people who graduate with assistance from the Grant must reside in the state for a minimum of two years. If they chose to leave the state, they will then be required to pay back the grant.

The Senate also passed three other bills that were reported to the House.

Senate Bill 18 relates to crimes committed on State Capitol Complex. The bill would remove the requirement that a person must have a valid concealed handgun license to lawfully keep a firearm in their vehicle on the Capitol grounds.

Senate Bill 255 relates to the Emergency Medical Services Advisory Committee. The bill would add three more members to the committee.

Senate Bill 354 would expire $1.5 million dollars from the Auditor’s Offices’ Securities Regulation fund and re appropriate them to the Auditor’s Office Chief Inspector’s Fund.

Senate Bills 394 to 409 were also introduced today.

The Senate is adjourned until 11 a.m. tomorrow, Jan. 24.

The following committees will meet today:

Economic Development at 1 p.m. in 208W

Agriculture at 2 p.m. in 208W

Finance at 3 p.m. in 451M

Judiciary at 3 p.m. in 208W

The following committees will meet tomorrow:

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

Health at 1 p.m. in 451M

Education at 2 p.m. in 451M

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Judiciary Committee Takes a Stance on Animal Cruelty

Senate Committee

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January 22, 2019

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The Senate Judiciary Committee met on Tuesday evening to discuss four bills on the agenda.

Senate Bill 124 relates to animal cruelty. The bill would increase fines for people who inflict bodily harm or death on animals. The bill would also up the misdemeanor to a felony for inflicting bodily harm on animals.

Senate Bill 55 relates to drivers under the age of 18. The bill would impact roughly 90 drivers annually. The bill would prohibit drivers under the age of 18 with a level three license to operate a wireless device, such as a cell phone, while driving. The bill would qualify West Virginia for a federal grant of $2.3 million.

All bills were approved by the Committee and reported to the Senate.

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Senate Finances Refers Bills to Full Senate, Receives Budget Proposals

Senate Committee

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January 22, 2019

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The Senate Finance Committee refereed three bills to the full Senate, 3 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 22.

SenateBill 168 which would update the meaning of federal taxable income in WV Corporation Net Income Tax Act, and Senate Bill 169 which would update terms used in WV Personal Income Tax Act, were unanimously voted to be referred to the full Senate.

Senate Bill 178 which is a Lottery Commission rule that would relate to the West VIrginia Lottery sports wagering rule, was

The committee also received two presentations – one from the West Virginia Department of Revenue and the other from the West Virginia Lottery Commission.

Senate Education Receives Presentations

Senate Committee

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January 22, 2019

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Information from the West Virginia Department of Education and the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission was presented to the Senate Education Committee, 3 p.m. Monday, Jan. 22.

Following the approval of minutes, Michele Blatt, assistant superintendent of the West Virginia Department of Education addressed the committee to discuss the state’s education areas of critical need.

Blatt said that three different factors join together to make up the criteria for critical need with the shortage of non-fully certified teachers, especially in math, accounting for a majority of the issues. According to Blatt, a non-fully certified teacher describes a teacher who may have a certificate for education in a subject which is different than the one they are currently teaching.

Statewide, 33.3 percent of West Virginia’s math teachers are non-fully certified in the subject.

When asked about the amount of vacancies that are present within the state, Blatt said that of the 700 vacancies present within the state, most are simply situations where non-certified teachers are teaching a particular subject.

Blatt also addressed the committee to discuss the need for additional teachers within the state and said the board is hoping to initiate a program where college seniors majoring in education may be placed in a school for the whole year opposed to the 6-12 weeks of student teaching. She said that this will help teachers

Senior Director for Financial Aid at the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission, Brian Weingart, also came before the committee to discuss the Underwood-Smith Teacher Scholarship Program. The purpose of the program is to assist West Virginians interested in obtaining a teaching certificate and committed to the pursuit of a teaching career in West Virginia’s public schools.

The program is comprised of two components- a teacher scholarship and a teacher loan repayment. Both of which combine to create an appropriation total of $328,349.

Students who are applying for a scholarship through the program may receive $5,000 following a commitment to teach two years for each year they receive the award. Those who are applying for loan repayment may receive up to $15,000 towards student loan debt. $3,000 of which is awarded following the two completed years of teaching.

Overall, Weingart said that out of 300 applications, only 30 scholarships are awarded each year due to a lack of funding.

Health Committee Approves New DHHR Rule

Senate Committee

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January 22, 2019

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The Senate Committee on Health and Human Resources met on Tuesday afternoon to discuss a new rule for the Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR).

Senate Bill 173 would authorize DHHR to promulgate a legislative rule relating to, medication-assisted treatments (MAT). These treatment facilities are primarily used the treatment of addiction to opioids such as heroin and prescription pain relievers that contain opiates.

Committee members spoke about the positive implications the bill would do in Southern West Virginia in dealing with the opioid crisis.

The Committee voted unanimously to approve the bill, and was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

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Committee on Political Subdivisions Reviews 3 Bills in First Meeting

House Committee

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January 22, 2019

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In its first official meeting of the session, the House Political Subdivisions Committee reviewed three bills.

The first bill the committee took up in its Tuesday meeting was House Bill 2091, which relates to increasing the minimum amount of magisterial districts in a county. This would only affect counties with three districts, increasing the number of districts to four.

Delegates argued that the bill gives more power to the people and increases the number of people who want to run for office.

Delegate Daryl Cowles, R-Morgan, told the committee the bill would raise This the number of citizens eligible to run from 33 percent to 50 percent.

The committee advanced the bill, which will now head to the House Judiciary Committee.

The committee also advanced House Bill 2309, which would allow cities to cancel elections when only one person is running. After a brief discussion the committee reported the bill to the Judiciary Committee.

The last bill the committee took up was House Bill 2342, or the Taxation With Representation Act. This bill would allow people who don’t live in a city but work in that city and pay user fees to vote in city elections.

Several members of the committee expressed concerns of what unseen consequences would result from it.

The committee laid the bill over and adjourned.

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Senate Advances Community College Bill

Senate Floor Session

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January 22, 2019

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After lengthy debate on amendments, a Senate bill that would increase access to career education and workforce training was advanced to third reading Tuesday.

The Senate took up Senate Bill 1 and several amendments Tuesday. Sen. Roman Prezioso, D-Marion, proposed an amendment that would increase access to career education and workforce training. Prezioso’s amendment would allow for the bill to apply to associates degrees in four year regional colleges, despite additional costs.

Sen. Patricia Rucker, R-Jefferson, rebutted Prezioso’s amendment and urged the Senate to reject it, saying, “This bill is geared to adults who’s education was interrupted and maybe didn’t make the grades to have the Promise Scholarship and other financial aid. In order to get this bill passed and help these students, I urge that we refuse this amendment.”

Sen. Craig Blair, R-Berkeley, addressed the chamber, citing the current fiscal note for Senate Bill 1, which is $7.67 million. Blair agreed with Rucker in her refusal of the bill.

“We have to live within our current means,” Blair said.

Senate President Mitch Carmichael, R-Jackson, joined the body to urge refusal for the amendment.

Ultimately, the Senate voted to reject the amendment.

Sen. Richard Plymale, D-Wayne, suggested another amendment to the bill which would allow for the bill to cover apprenticeships. This amendment also was rejected.

The Senate passed four bills Tuesday, including Senate Bill 152, which relates to criminal offense expungement. The bill expands on the Second Chance Act previously passed by the Legislature. One of the bill’s provisions would expand eligibility for criminal expungement to people convicted of certain nonviolent felonies.

“When I arrived in this chamber in 2017, I really thought we were doing well by passing this bill,” Sen. Glenn Jefferies, D-Putnam, said. “I believe we carefully crafted this bill to protect the people of the state. We’ve made the bill stronger.”

Other bills passed by the Senate Tuesday were:

· Senate Bill 3 would establish the West Virginia Small Wireless Facilities Deployment Act.

· Senate Bill 62 would require participation in a drug court program before the discharge of certain first-time drug offenses.

· Senate Bill 240 would repeal certain legislative rules no longer authorized or are obsolete.

The Senate advanced three bills to second reading:

·Senate Bill 18 which would relate to crimes committed on State Capitol Complex was amended and advanced to third reading.

· Senate Bill 255 would relate to the Emergency Medical Services Advisory Committee was advanced to third reading.

· Senate Bill 354 which would expire funds to balance the Chief Inspector’s Fund at the Auditor’s Office was was advanced to third reading.

The Senate also adopted three resolutions – Senate Resolution 14, which celebrates the achievements and contributions of Monongalia County and Senate Resolution 15 which designated Jan. 22 as Preston County Day.

Additionally, the Senate also unanimously adopted Senate Resolution 12 which congratulates the Ripley High School girls’ track team for winning the 2018 Class AAA state championship.

Sen. Eric Tarr, R. Putnam, addressed the chamber, congratulating the team for their win and read the names of teammates to his fellow senators. Tarr told the chamber that the girls’ team was able to collect the win despite being the smallest team within the state’s AAA class.

Senate Bills 386-393 were also introduced during the floor session.

Senate Bill 388 would equalize penalties for intimidating and retaliating against public officers, employees, jurors, and witnesses.

Senate Bill 390 would require electric utilities to submit feasibility studies of constructing and operating middle-mile broadband internet projects.

The following committees will be meeting today:

The Senate Committee Energy, Industry and Mining will meet 15 minutes following floor session in 208w.
The Senate Committee on Health and Human Resources will meet 15 minutes following floor session in 451M.
The Senate Education Committee will meet at 3 p.m. in 451M.
The Senate Government Organization Committee will meet at 3p.m. In 208W.
The Senate Judiciary Committee will meet at 4 p.m. in 208W.
The Senate Finance Committee will meet at 4 p.m. in 451M.

The following committees will be meeting tomorrow:

The Senate Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development will meet at 2 p.m. in 208W.

The House of Delegates passed a bill relating to emergency absentee ballots

House Floor Session

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January 22, 2019

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The House convened Tuesday, reviewing several bills. In a unanimous vote, the body passed House Bill 2362, the Ardala Miller Memorial Act.

The bill would provide a way to allow qualified voters to vote by an absentee ballots and sets forth those qualifications. The voter would have to be confined to a specific location other than a hospital or nursing home, prevented from traveling to a polling place because of medical reasons or immobility due to extreme advanced age.

Four bills were advanced to third reading.

House Bill 2008 relates to nonpartisan election of justices of the Supreme Court of Appeals.
House Bill 2095, asses the college and career readiness of 11^th and 12^th grade students.
House Bill 2193, provides a specific escheat of US savings bonds. This bill had one amendment that was sponsored by two delegates, this amendment helps to clear language and ambiguity found within the bill. The House voted and adopted the amendment and the bill has been reported.
House Bill 2423 prohibits certain sex offenders from being in a supervisory position over children.

The House took up seven bills on first reading and advanced them to second reading, or the amendment stage:

House Bill 2005 relates to the Broadband Expansion Act of 2019.
House Bill 2346 relates to changing the licensing requirement for certain casino employees.
House Bill 2360 concerns placing the Athletic Commission under the Lottery Commission.
House Bill 2412 relates to criminal acts concerning government procurement of commodities and services.
House Bill 2422 relates to the time for the observation of “Celebrate Freedom Week.”
House Bill 2459 exercises authority to exempt individuals domiciled within the state from certain restrictions contained in federal law.
House Bill 2462 concerns issuing a certificate to correctional employees to carry firearms.

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Transportation Committee Cracks Down on School Bus Safety

Senate Committee

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January 22, 2019

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The Senate Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure met Tuesday morning to discuss two bills, and hear a presentation from the Department of Transportation.

Senate Bill 238 would increase fines for drivers who pass stopped school busses. The bill would double fines for every offense possible.

Fine increases would include:

· First conviction would increase the minimum to $500 and the maximum to $1,000.

· Second conviction would increase the minimum to $1,000 and the maximum to $1,500

· Third conviction would increase to a $2,000 fine

The bill would also require school buses to carry front facing camera on the dash of the bus, so it could capture the license plate of any driver who would violate the bill.

The Committee voted unanimously to approve the bill, and was referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

The Dept. of Transportation updated the Committee on the progress made in 2018, and mentioned that there are already 203 projects for 2019.

The Dept. talked about the Blue Ribbon Commission Report of the roads of West Virginia in 2013. Under the report it stated that to maintain the roads as needed, $1.1 billion would be needed annually. Under the report, West Virginia is already 5.5 billion behind. The report also states that 24,000 secondary roads are in need of maintenance.

The Committee asked questions and expressed concerns about orphan roads and drainage for the roads not being addressed yet, and asked for another presentation at a later time to address these issues.

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Foster Care Bill Raises Concern and Support Among Public

House Committee

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January 22, 2019

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About 18 people spoke at a public hearing on a bill that would put state managed care organizations in charge of administering certain health care treatments for West Virginia foster children.

The House Committee on Health and Human Resources organized the public hearing Tuesday morning on House Bill 2010.

The bill would put state managed care organizations (or MCOs) in the role of administering certain health care treatments for foster children. The implementation of these MCOs as the primary financial source for health treatments would relieve some of the financial pressures from the Department of Health and Human Resources and their Medicaid program, which currently completely funds foster children in the state.

The bill, which works to address a foster care crisis in the state, would help to privatize and specialize care for the almost 6,700 children in the state of West Virginia who are a part of the foster care system.

Several members of the public came out to defend the proposed legislation, and several members of the public stood in strong opposition.

A primary argument against the bill is that House Bill 2010 would add unneeded bureaucracy to an already difficult process of getting treatment for a foster child.

Carey Jo Grace, representing West Virginia’s Our Children Our Future, argued against adding another agency to the already difficult life of a foster child in the state.

“These children need love and support, not more red tape,” Grace said.

Other members of the public argued that moving care from the hands of the state to private insurance companies who may profit off of children being in the foster system could have negative effects.

Stephen Smith, a West Virginia foster parent to a five-year old son, came out during the meeting in strong opposition to the bill.

Smith argued he does not want his son’s care in the hands of a managed care organization, where an employee’s job depends on the profit motives of the insurance company.

Smith compared the plight of West Virginia foster parents to the biblical story of David and Goliath, arguing, “We have no high-powered lobbyists like you do. But ask yourself this: why does a bill that claims to help foster parents have a small army of foster parents fighting against it?”

Those in defense of House Bill 2010 argued for the ability of MCOs to bring comprehensive and specialized care to West Virginia foster children, who oftentimes have to go without.

Patricia Fast, representing The Health Plan of West Virginia, advocated for House Bill 2010. Fast, who works in an executive position with a state MCO, argued the state can maximize the efficacy of the state foster care system with an integrated approach to how healthcare is administered to foster children throughout the state.

“A public/private integration of this care is what is best for the child. We can help the child get the specialized healthcare that they need, when they need it,” Fast said.

Jill Rice, representing UniCare, also supported the bill.

“The use of these MCO’s provides a single point of accountability for families,” said Rice. “MCO’s have the expertise, experience, and organization to maximize comprehensive care. We’ve been a part of this effort to get foster children care in the state since 1996, and we’re well-equipped to handle this.”

Several members of the public liked the intent and content within the bill, but raised concerns about the time frame that the legislation would be implemented.

Jim McKay, representing Prevent Child Abuse West Virginia, wanted the 6-month implementation plan of the bill to perhaps be discussed more, and the input of foster parents to be heard before any further action on the bill occurs.

“We agree that there is an urgency in this issue, but we need to go slower,” McKay said.

The Public Hearing concluded at 10am, but House Health and Human Resources Chairman Joe Ellington, R-Mercer, invited members of the public to attend the House Health and Human Resources Committee meeting at 2 p.m. in 215-E later today, where House Bill 2010 will be further discussed.