Sunday, May 4, 2025
Sunday, May 4, 2025
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House Passes S.B. 143, 434, 350

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The House convened at 9:30 a.m. today to work on bills on the House Special Calendar.

S. B. 143 – Permitting DNR identification tag be used to identify trap – passed 92-4.

S. B. 343 – Limiting expenses in preparing list for notice to redeem – passed 92-4.

S. B. 350 – Eliminating obsolete requirement that Lottery Commission file racetrack video lottery game rules with Secretary of State – passed 94-0.

Bills read a second time:

Com. Sub. for S. J. R. 12 – No Constitutional right to abortion Amendment

Com. Sub. for S. B. 73 – Modifying crime of fleeing from scene of accident

Com. Sub. for S. B. 110 – Requiring certain licensees notify law enforcement or EMS of life-threatening emergency on premises

Com. Sub. for S. B. 307 – Declaring fundraising on state highway or roadway by volunteer fire department is not obstruction or nuisance

Com. Sub. for S. B. 327 – Providing extortion of anything of value, including sexual contact, subjects person to criminal penalty

S. B. 346 – Permitting full-time nonresident students purchase lifetime resident hunting, trapping and fishing licenses

S. B. 351 – Permitting ballot commissioners serve while candidates for certain offices

Com. Sub. for S. B. 395 – Providing for judicial review of appealed decisions of Air Quality Review Board, Environmental Quality Board and Surface Mine Board

Com. Sub. for S. B. 397 – Creating crime of impersonating blind or disabled person

Com. Sub. for S. B. 404 – Relating to sex offender registry information

S. B. 539 – Increasing limit for settling claims against DOH

Com. Sub. for S. B. 561 – Increasing minimum contract price requiring execution of bond with respect to building or repairing school property

There were 17 bills read a first time.

Judiciary Committee will meet at 12 p.m. in 418M.

Finance Committee will meet at 12 p.m. in 460M.

The House is in recess until 3:30 p.m.

Update 10:53 p.m.

The House refused to concur with Senate amendment to H.B. 4145, which lowered the pay raise from five percent to four percent.

The House appointed conferees Delegates Anderson, Espinosa and Boggs to meet with Senate conferees.

The House is adjourned untill 11 a.m. Monday.

Judiciary Committee will meet Monday at 9 a.m. in 418M.

Government Organization Committee will have a public hearing Monday on S.B. 434 at 8 a.m. in the chamber. The committee will meet following the hearing.

 

Senate Passes House Bills, Appoints Conference Committee Members for H.B. 4013

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The Senate convened today at 11 a.m.

The Senate concurred with the House amendments to S. B. 181 and S. B. 348, which are now awaiting action by the Governor.

The Senate refused to recede to the House’s refusal of the Senate amendments to H. B. 4013. A Conference Committee was called for by the Senate and Senator Stephen Baldwin (D – Greenbrier, 10), Senator Charles S. Trump IV (R – Morgan, 15) and Ryan W. Weld (R – Brooke, 01) were appointed from the Senate.

H. B. 2483 was passed unanimously and was sent back to the House to concur. The bill would require the Division of Juvenile Services to transfer to a correctional facility or regional jail any juvenile in its custody that has been transferred to adult jurisdiction of the circuit court and who reaches his or her eighteenth birthday.

H. B. 2843 was passed 23-10 and is now awaiting action by the Governor. It would permit Class III municipalities to be included in the West Virginia Tax Increment Act.

H. B. 2916 was passed unanimously and was sent back to the House to concur. It would authorize reserve deputies, ambulance crew members, firefighters, rescue squad members and emergency service personnel to carry firearms if the first responders meet the required training specifications explained in the bill. They are also allowed to be reimbursed for the cost of the training.

H. B. 4022 was passed unanimously and is now awaiting action by the Governor. It would extend the existing tax exemption for maintenance and repair of commercial aircraft to aircraft that are owned and leased by private citizens who have a shared ownership agreement.

H. B. 4142 was passed unanimously and was sent back to the House to concur. The bill would provide certain employees of the Division of Corrections, Division of Juvenile Services, and West Virginia Regional Jail and Correctional Facility Authority a salary adjustment.

H. B. 4169 was passed unanimously and was sent back to the House to concur. It would require businesses that are licensed to allow consumption of alcohol on the premises; exotic entertainment facilities; transportation centers; gas stations; medical centers; locations where farm labor contractors and day haulers work; job recruitment centers; public rest areas; and hotels, must post information to help victims of human trafficking. This includes the information for the National Human Trafficking Resource Center and the National Human Trafficking Resource Center hotline.

H. B. 4199 was passed 24-8 and was sent back to the House to concur. it would permit a nursing home to use trained individuals to administer medication. Certification for the training is determined by the Office of Health Facility Licensure and Certification.

H. B. 4619 was passed unanimously and is now awaiting action by the Governor. The bill would create a new statutory funding allowance within the school aid funding formula computations to support the county-level implementation of comprehensive systems for teacher and leader induction and professional growth.

H. B. 2694 was passed unanimously and is now awaiting action by the Governor.

H. B. 2696 was passed unanimously and was sent back to the House to concur.

H. B. 2890 was passed unanimously and is now awaiting action by the Governor.

H. B. 3104 was passed unanimously and is now awaiting action by the Governor.

H. B. 4024 was passed unanimously and was sent back to the House to concur.

H. B. 4079 was passed unanimously and was sent back to the House to concur.

H. B. 4138 was passed unanimously and was sent back to the House to concur.

H. B. 4175 was passed unanimously and is now awaiting action by the Governor.

H. B. 4207 was passed unanimously and was sent back to the House to concur.

H. B. 4285 was passed unanimously and is now awaiting action by the Governor.

H. B. 4332 was passed unanimously and was sent back to the House to concur.

H. B. 4385 was passed unanimously and is now awaiting action by the Governor.

Bills on Second Reading: 

Bills of First Reading:

The Senate adopted S. R. 59, recognizing dedicated and honorable public service of Linda Gibson, and S. R. 60, designating March 2, 2018, as Suicide Prevention and Awareness Day.

The Senate is in adjourned until Saturday at 9:30 a.m.

Committees meeting today:

Judiciary at 4:15 p.m. 208W

 

House Passes 11 Senate Bills

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The House convened today at 11 a.m.

  • Com. Sub. for S. B. 37 – equalizing penalty for entering without breaking regardless of time of day – passed 94-4.
  • Com. Sub. for S. B. 46 – permitting pharmacists to inform customers of lower-cost alternative drugs – passed 98-0.
  • Com. Sub. for S. B. 134 – authorizing Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management to engage individuals for emergency response and recovery – passed 98-0.
  • Com. Sub. for S. B. 146 – correcting technical error within Solid Waste Management Act – passed 98-0.
  • S. B. 338 – changing date for employers to file annual reconciliation and withholding statements – passed 98-0.
  • Com. Sub. for S. B. 360 – clarifying oil and gas permits not be on flat well royalty leases – passed 96-2.
  • S. B. 364 – allowing parent or legal guardian of homeschooled child provide signed statement for obtaining permit or license to operate motor vehicle – passed 97-1.
  • Com. Sub. for S. B. 415 – permitting wagering on certain professional or collegiate sports events authorized as WV Lottery Sports Wagering activities – passed 77-22.
  • S. B. 444 – repealing antiquated code sections regarding safety glass and lighting in motor vehicles – passed 97-1.
  • Com. Sub. for S. B. 451 – relating generally to hunting and fishing – passed 92-6.
  • S. B. 464 – changing statutory payment date for incremental salary increases due state employees – passed 98-0.

Committees meeting today:

Judiciary will meet at 2 p.m. in 418M.

Finance will meet at 2 p.m. in 460M.

Government Organization will meet at 3 p.m. in 215E.

The House is in recess until 5 p.m. 

Update 5:43 p.m.

Bills on second reading:

  • S. B. 143 – permitting DNR identification tag be used to identify trap – was amended on the floor.
  • S. B. 343 – limiting expenses in preparing list for notice to redeem.
  • S. B. 350 – eliminating obsolete requirement that Lottery Commission file racetrack video lottery game rules with Secretary of State – was amended on the floor.

The House passed Senate amended H.B. 4138, 93-1, and Senate amended H.B. 4199, 51-43.

Bills on first reading:

  • Com. Sub. for S. J. R. 12 – no Constitutional right to abortion Amendment.
  • Com. Sub. for S. B. 73 – modifying crime of fleeing from scene of accident.
  • Com. Sub. for S. B. 110 – requiring certain licensees notify law enforcement or EMS of life-threatening emergency on premises.
  • Com. Sub. for S. B. 307 – declaring fundraising on state highway or roadway by volunteer fire department is not obstruction or nuisance.
  • Com. Sub. for S. B. 327 – providing extortion of anything of value, including sexual contact, subjects person to criminal penalty.
  • S. B. 346 – permitting full-time nonresident students purchase lifetime resident hunting, trapping and fishing licenses
  • S. B. 351 – permitting ballot commissioners serve while candidates for certain offices
  • Com. Sub. for S. B. 395 – providing for judicial review of appealed decisions of Air Quality Review Board, Environmental Quality Board and Surface Mine Board
  • Com. Sub. for S. B. 397 – creating crime of impersonating blind or disabled person
  • Com. Sub. for S. B. 404 – relating to sex offender registry information
  • S. B. 539 – increasing limit for settling claims against DOH
  • Com. Sub. for S. B. 561 – increasing minimum contract price requiring execution of bond with respect to building or repairing school property

Committee on Judiciary will resume their agenda following today’s floor session and will meet tomorrow following the floor session.

Committee on Rules will meet tomorrow at 9:15 a.m. behind the chamber.

The House is adjourned until 9:30 a.m. tomorrow.

House Health Pass Seven Senate Bills

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House Health and Human Resources Committee met today at 2 p.m. to move bills on their agenda.

The committee passed seven Senate Bills during the meeting.

  1. S.B. 242
  2. S.B. 456
  3. S.B. 499
  4. S.B. 443
  5. S.B. 401
  6. S.B. 510
  7. S.B. 273

S.B. 242 would require health insurance providers provide coverage for certain Lyme disease treatment.

Delegate Amy Summers, R-Taylor, said there has been an increase in patients with Lyme disease who are not getting treatment due to insurance coverage. The bill will now be sent to House Judiciary for consideration.

S.B. 456 would create the Physical Therapy Licensure Compact Act. The bill authorizes the Governor to execute the Act with any one or more of the states of the United States.

S.B. 499 would require one year of certain approved postgraduate clinical training for persons with foreign medical degrees. Currently, the requirement is two years.

Delegate Kelli Sobonya, R-Cabell, moved to amend the bill to change language that made it mandatory, to be permissive instead. The amendment was adopted by the committee.

S.B. 443 relates to terminating parental rights when certain conditions are met.

The bill proposes an additional reason, if a parent has failed to volunatrily contact their child for 18 months. The bill defines some exemptions to be involuntary such as a parent being incarcerated, in substance abuse rehabilitation, or in the military. This would be determined by DHHR, a multi-disciplinary program and go through circuit courts to decide action.

S.B. 401 would require specified coverage in health benefit plans for treatment of substance abuse disorders. The bill will now be sent to Judiciary.

S.B. 510 would designate hospitals for stroke treatment.

S.B. 273 would reduce use of certain prescription drugs. The bill was passed as amended with second reference to Judiciary.

Senate Moves Pay Raise Bill to Finance Committee

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The Senate convened today at 11:30 a.m.

The Senate recieved H. B. 4145, Increasing the annual salaries of members of the West Virginia State Police, public school teachers and school service personnel. Senator Roman Prezioso (D – Marion, 13) moved to take the bill up for immediate consideration. The motion was tabled in a 20-14 vote and was then sent to the Finance committee.

Many senators stood to adress the body regarding the bill before it had been reported, including Senate President Mitch Carmichael (R – Jackson, 04).

The Senate adopted S.R. 53, recognizing Glenville State College for its efforts in making education more affordable, S.R. 57, designating March 1, 2018, as Innovation and Entrepreneurship Day, and S.R. 58, recognizing guiding principles and partnership of WV Forward’s initiatives.

There were no bills on third reading.

Bills on Second Reading:

Bills on First Reading: 

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

Committees meeting today:

Health and Human Resources at 3:30 p.m. 451M

Judiciary at 4 p.m. 208W

Committees meeting tomorrow:

Military at 9 a.m. 208W

Education at 9:30 a.m. 451M

S.B. 181 and 341 Pass House

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The House convened today at 11 a.m. to work on bills on the House Special Calendar.

S. B. 181 – authorizing MAPS promulgate legislative rules – passed 95-1.

S. B. 348 – allowing for disposal of service weapons of special DNR police officers – passed 97-3.

These bills will now be communicated back to the Senate.

Bills on second reading:

  • S. B. 37 – Equalizing penalty for entering without breaking regardless of time of day
  • S. B. 46 – Permitting pharmacists to inform customers of lower-cost alternative drugs
  • S. B. 134 – Authorizing Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management to engage individuals for emergency response and recovery
  • S. B. 146 – Correcting technical error within Solid Waste Management Act
  • . B. 338 – Changing date for employers to file annual reconciliation and withholding statements
  • S. B. 360 – Clarifying oil and gas permits not be on flat well royalty leases
  • S. B. 364 – Allowing parent or legal guardian of homeschooled child provide signed statement for obtaining permit or license to operate motor vehicle
  • Com. Sub. for S. B. 415 – Permitting wagering on certain professional or collegiate sports events authorized as WV Lottery Sports Wagering activities
  • S. B. 444 – Repealing antiquated code sections regarding safety glass and lighting in motor vehicles
  • Com. Sub. for S. B. 451 – Relating generally to hunting and fishing
  • S. B. 464  – Changing statutory payment date for incremental salary increases due state employees

Bills on first reading:

  • S. B. 143 – Permitting DNR identification tag be used to identify trap

  • S. B. 343 – Limiting expenses in preparing list for notice to redeem

  • S. B. 350 – Eliminating obsolete requirement that Lottery Commission file racetrack video lottery game rules with Secretary of State

Committees meeting today:

Committee on Energy will meet at 2 p.m. in 418M.

Committee on Health will meet at 2 p.m. in 215E. 

Prevention & Treatment of Substance Abuse will meet at 3:30 p.m. in 215E. 

Committee on Finance will meet at 4 p.m. in 460M.

Rules will meet at 4:45 p.m. behind the chamber.

The House is in recess until 5 p.m.

Update 5:54 p.m.

Committee on Judiciary will meet tomorrow at 9 a.m. in 418M.

Committee on Finance will meet tomorrow at 9 a.m. in 460M.

Committee on Government Organization will meet tomorrow at 9 a.m. in 215E.

The House is adjourned until 11 a.m. tomorrow.

S.J.R. 12 Moves Through House Judiciary

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House Judiciary passed S.J.R. 12 out of committee today during their meeting.

S.J.R. 12 would amend the Constitution, giving no Constitutional right to abortion.

If passed by two-thirds of the House of Delegates, the resolution will be on the ballot in the 2018 West Virginia General Election in November.

Delegates Chad Lovejoy (D-Cabell) and Phil Isner (D- Randolph) offered an amendment to the resolution that would require a special election to vote on the resolution on July 21, 2018. 

With concerns of political motivation during this election year, Delegate Lovejoy said his amendment would not only draw away from that but if passed sooner, could potentially prevent hundreds of abortions from occurring this year. 

The amendment was rejected by the committee.

Delegate Kayla Kessinger (R-Fayette), who supported the resolution, said that her passion about this issue is what led her to run for her seat in the House of Delegates.

S.J.R. 12 passed through the House Judiciary Committee.

Senate Recieves New Estimate for Fiscal Year 2019

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The Senate convened today at 10 a.m.

The body passed over 40 bills on the fiftieth day of the Legislature. This is the last day for the Senate to consider bills on third reading originating in the Senate. 

 

S. B. 261 was amended on the floor and passed 20-14. The bill would eliminate the W. Va. Affordable Housing Trust Fund and transfer all of its actions and duties to the newly created W. Va. Housing Development Fund.

S. B. 295 was passed 30-4. The bill would amend the Local Powers Act. If the bill passes the House it will not take effect until after the adoption and ratification of S.J.R. 8. As of now this resolution has not been placed on the agenda for this year and S. B. 295 would act as framework to put in place if the resolution were to be adopted and ratified.

S. B. 551 was passed 25-9. The bill would allow the State Auditor, county commission or sheriff to withhold money from the state or county to an employer who becomes delinquent on pension contributions to funds administered by the Consolidated Public Retirement Board. Any person who knowingly and willfully fails to make contributions to the Consolidated Public Retirement Board is guilty of a misdemeanor and be charged a fine or be continued in jail for up to a year.

S. B. 585 was passed unanimously. The bill would alter the county line between Doddridge and Harrison counties to include all of Salem Correctional Center in Harrison County.

S. B. 595 was amended on the floor and passed unanimously. The bill creates The Protect Our Right to Unite Act. It protects an individual’s right to support organizations that align with their beliefs without the threat of intimidation or loss of employment.

S. B. 600 was rejected 17-17. The bill would allow companies to enter into special contracts with Public Service Commission. Consumers in the contracts will be given “special tariffs” which provide economic incentives such as a reduced electric rate as incentive to locate to or remain competitive in the state.

S. J. R. 7 was referred to the Finance committee. The resolution would clarify that the State Board of Education has general supervisory of schools, its authority is dependent on legislative enactment. The Legislature has authority to review the rules and policies of the board.

Other Bills passed today in the Senate:

S. B. 282 was passed unanimously.

S. B. 360 was passed unanimously.

S. B. 401 was passed unanimously.

S. B. 402 was passed 33-1.

S. B. 403 was passed 29-5.

S. B. 419 was passed unanimously.

S. B. 421 was passed unanimously.

S. B. 432 was passed 29-4.

S. B. 442 was passed unanimously.

S. B. 445 was amended on the floor and passed unanimously.

S. B. 448 was passed unanimously.

S. B. 452 was passed unanimously.

S. B. 472 was passed unanimously.

S. B. 485 was passed unanimously.

S. B. 504 was passed 33-1

S. B. 508 was passed unanimously.

S. B. 510 was passed unanimously.

S. B. 530 was passed unanimously.

S. B. 531 was passed unanimously.

S. B. 534 was passed 32-1

S. B. 548 was amended on the floor and passed unanimously.

S. B. 556 was passed unanimously.

S. B. 565 was passed unanimously.

S. B. 567 was passed unanimously.

S. B. 568 was passed unanimously.

S. B. 582was passed 33-1.

S. B. 584 was passed unanimously.

S. B. 589 was passed unanimously.

S. B. 590 was passed unanimously.

S. B. 592 was passed unanimously.

S. B. 598 was passed 28-6.

S. B. 601 was passed unanimously.

S. B. 612 was passed unanimously.

S. B. 616 was passed 31-3.

S. B. 629 was passed unanimously.

S. B. 630 was passed unanimously.

S. B. 631 was passed unanimously.

Bills on Second Reading: 

Bills on First Reading:

The Senate is in recess until 5 p.m.

Committees meeting today:

Government Organization at 2 p.m. 208W

Judiciary at 3 p.m. 208W

Finance at 3:30 451M

Committees meeting tomorrow:

Finance at 9:30 a.m. 451M

 

Update 6:34 p.m.

The Senate reconvened at 5 p.m.

The Senate recieved Senate Executive Message 2 which amends and replaces the Fiscal Year of 2019 Official Estimate, which was submitted to the Senate on January 10. The message was sent to the Finance committee.

The body to recieve committee reports.

S. B. 632 was taken up for immediate consideration and had the constitutional rule requiring a bill to be read three times suspended.

The bill would allow retired judicial officers recalled to service to avoid limit on temporary payments under certain circumstances. It passed unanimously.

S.J.R. 8 was taken up for immediate consideration and read for a first time.

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

Committees meeting tomorrow:

Education at 9 a.m. 451M

Government Organization at 9 a.m. 208W

Finance at 9:30 a.m. 451M — was canceled.

H.B. 4145 Passes House

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The House convened at 9 a.m. to work on bills on the House Special Calendar.

All of these bills passed the House:

Bills on second reading:

S.B 181 – authorizing MAPS promulgate legislative rules – and S.B. 348 – allowing for disposal of service weapons of special DNR police officers – were amended by House Judiciary on second reading. The amendments were adopted on the floor.

There were 10 Senate bills read a first time.

Committees meeting today:

Finance will meet at 3:30 p.m. in 460M.

Judiciary will meet at 3:30 p.m. in 410M.

Veterans Affairs will meet at 3:15 in 434M.

Education will meet at 4 p.m. in 434M.

Small Businesses will meet tomorrow at 9 a.m. in 434M.

The House is in recess until 5 p.m.

Update 7:05 p.m.

The House passed H.B. 4145 – increasing the annual salaries of members of the West Virginia State Police, public school teachers and school service personnel – 98-1.

The bill, requested by Governor Jim Justice, would give a five percent salary raise to all state police officers, public school teachers and school service personnel.

The bill will now be communicated to the Senate.

Committee meetings:

Judiciary will resume immediately following the floor session and tomorrow at 9 a.m. in 410M.

Banking and Insurance will meet tomorrow at 10 a.m. in 215E.

The House is adjourned until 11 a.m. tomorrow.

Senate Passes S.B. 438

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The Senate convened today at 11 a.m.

S. B. 426 passed 17-16 with one member absent. The bill combines and modernizes a number of other bills relating to alcoholic beverages into one all-encompassing bill.

S. B. 434 was passed 27-6. The bill would specify that certain documents prepared by a health care provider are not subject to discovery in certain proceedings.

S. B. 507 passed 32-1. The bill creates the Katherine Johnson Academy. The academy would create both commuter and residential programs for high school students to attend STEM and Performing Arts academies at W. Va. public colleges and universities. To be accepted a high school student must meet the minimum eligibility requirement for the PROMISE scholarship (with exception to high school graduation and residency) and complete the core courses required for secondary school students in English, Mathematics, Social Science and Science.

Students accepted into the program will be awarded the PROMISE scholarship to pay for the tuition, fees and books required by the program. Any supplies not covered by the PROMISE will be covered by the Katherine Johnson Academy Fund. A bill requires the creation of a board made of five appointees by the Governor, the State Superintendent and the Chancellor for Higher Education to oversee the program.

S. B. 558 was passed 20-13. It will broaden the recognized programs under which crane operators are tested so any nationally recognized accrediting agency to certify training programs. Currently, only one agency is allowed to do so. The bill adopts the language OSHA regulations.

S. B. 625 was passed unanimously. This bill creates the W. Va. Volunteer Fire and Rescue Act of 2018. The bill makes changes to several laws to enhance the ability of volunteer fire departments and emergency medical services providers to provide necessary services throughout the state.

S. B. 600 was laid over for one day.

S. B. 82, S. B. 331, S. B. 443, S. B. 465, S. B. 506, S. B. 514, S. B. 515, S. B. 545, S. B. 557, S. B. 572, S. B. 575, S. B. 597, S. B. 603 and S. B. 628 were all passed unanimously.

Bills on Second Reading:

The Senate is in recess until 5 p.m.

Committees meeting today:

Rules directly after the floor session in the President’s Conference Room

Health and Human Resources at 2:30 p.m. 451M

Judiciary at 3 p.m. 208W

Finance at 3 p.m. 451M

 

Update 6:55 p.m.

The Senate reconvened today at 5:45 p.m.

S. B. 438 was taken up for immediate consideration. The Constitutional rule requiring a bill to be read on three seperate days was suspended by the body and the bill was voted on for passage.

S. B. 438 would authorize bonds to fund improvements to the state parks. It was passed unanimously with two members absent.

The Senate recieved committee reports. The following bills were taken up for immediate consideration and read for a second time:

The Senate is adjourned until tomorrow at 10 a.m.

Committees meeting tonight:

Judiciary directly following the floor session in 208W.

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