Sunday, June 29, 2025
Sunday, June 29, 2025
Home Blog Page 169

Senate Recieves New Estimate for Fiscal Year 2019

admin
-
0

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

admin
-
0

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

admin
-
0

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.

More Bills Pass Through House

admin
-
0

The House convened at 11 a.m. today.

H. B. 2982 – relating to allowing draw games winners to remain anonymous – passed 89-9.

H. B. 4014 – relating to reorganization of the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources – passed 62-36.

H. B. 4016 – relating to combatting waste, fraud, and misuse of public funds through investigations, accountability and transparency – passed 98-0.

H. B. 4154 – establishing the 2018 Regulatory Reform Act – passed 95-3.

H. B. 4166 – establishing a special revenue fund to be known as the “Capital Improvements Fund – Department of Agriculture Facilities” – passed 96-2 and was approved to become effective from passage.

H. B. 4187 – business Liability Protection Act – passed 85-14.

H. B. 4218 – relating to medical professional liability – passed 99-0.

H. B. 4238 – authorizing counties and municipalities to establish a joint airport hazard comprehensive plan – passed 99-0.

H. B. 4309 – restricting the sale and trade of dextromethorphan – passed 95-4.

H. B. 4394 – relating to forest fires – passed 99-0.

H. B. 4453 – relating to judicial review of contested cases under the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources Board of Review – passed 99-0.

H. B. 4486 – relating to persons required to obtain a license to engage in the business of currency exchange – passed 98-1.

H. B. 4509 – relating to the establishment of substance abuse treatment facilities – passed 99-0.

H. B. 4623 – relating to obtaining substance abuse treatment services – passed 85-14.

H.B. 2114, H.B. 4158, and H.B. 4563 were moved to the House Calendar.

S.B. 48 and S.B. 181 were moved to the House Special Calendar first reading.

Rules will meet at 3:45 p.m. behind the chamber.

The House is in recess until 4 p.m. 

Update 5:20 p.m.

The House amended H.B. 4217, H.B. 4431, and H.B. 4571 on second reading.

There were 20 other House Bills on the House Special Calendar read a second time.

S. B. 181 and S. B. 348 were read a first time.

Committee on Energy will meet at 5:30 p.m. in 418M.

Committee on Pensions and Retirement will meet at 5:30 p.m. in 460M.

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

Senate Bill 573 Passes Senate Floor

admin
-
0

The Senate convened today at 11 a.m.

S. B. 420 was passed 22-12 by the body. It would transfer the administration of the Safety and Treatment Program from the Department of Health and Human Resources to the Division of Motor Vehicles effective July 1, 2018.

S. B. 521 was passed 32-2. It would require that all newly named chief executives of municipal police departments be certified law enforcement officers.

S. B. 555 was passed unanimously. It would provide liability protection to a nonprofit organization’s director for the organization’s torts, provided the director did not direct, sanction or participate in the wrongful acts.

S. B. 573 was passed unanimously. It would change the required minimum number of instructional days in school from 180 to 175. The days would be removed from the calendar after the primary statewide assesment program. The five days would be changed to noninstructional days which could be used for development days or any other purpose as determined by the county superintendent.

S. B. 275, S. B. 313, S. B. 456, S. B. 490, S. B. 499, S. B. 500, S. B. 528, S. B. 539, S. B. 561, S. B. 562, S. B. 566, S. B. 574 and S. B. 627 were all passed unanimously.

Bills on Second Reading:

Bills on First Reading: 

The Senate adopted S. R. 52, designating February 26, 2018, as Families Leading Change Day.

The Senate is in recess until today at 5 p.m.

Committees meeting today:

Banking and Insurance at 2 p.m. 451M

Judiciary at 3 p.m. 208W

Finance at 3:30 p.m. 451M

 

Update 5:44 p.m.

The Senate reconvened at 5 p.m.

The body recieved committee reports.

The following bills were taken up for immediate consideration and read for the first time:

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

House Passes Bills, Adopts Amendments

admin
-
0

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

H. B. 2889 – allowing military veterans with certain military ratings to qualify for examinations required of probationary police officer – passed 98-0.

H. B. 4214 – increasing penalties for unlawfully possessing or digging ginseng – passed 91-7.

H. B. 4444 – clarifying the authority of the State Fire Commission in adopting a State Building Code – passed 97-1.

H. B. 4465 – authorizing the acupuncture board to issue certificates to perform auricular acudetox therapy – passed 98-0.

H. B. 4481 – relating to mandatory inter-board reporting by licensees or registrants of the boards of medicine, osteopathic medicine, nursing – passed 97-0.

H. B. 4539 – providing an annual annuity adjustment of 1 percent for eligible deputy sheriff retirants and surviving spouses – passed 98-0.

H. B. 4546 – relating to where an application for a marriage license may be made – passed 98-0.

H. B. 4550 – providing the Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists the authority to establish an apprenticeship program for cosmetologists – passed 91-7.

These bills will now move to the Senate for consideration.

Bills on second reading:

There were 25 House Bills on first reading.

Committees meeting today:

Finance at 3:30 p.m. in 460M.

Judiciary at 3:30 p.m. in 410M.

Education at 3:45 p.m. in 434M.

Government Organization at 4 p.m. in 215E.

Roads and Transportation at 5 p.m. in 215E.

Committees meeting tomorrow:

Agriculture and Natural Resources will meet at 8:30 a.m. in 215E.

House Rules will meet at 10:45 a.m. behing the Chamber.

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

House Passes Ten Bills

admin
-
0

The House convened at 11 a.m. today during the fourty-fifth day of session.

H. B. 2843 – permitting Class III municipalities to be included in the West Virginia Tax Increment Act – passed 85-7.

H. B. 2983 – granting priority to roadway construction, reconstruction and maintenance for roadways prone to recurring floods that hinder ingress and egress – passed 92-0.

H. B. 4219 – permitting employees of educational services cooperatives to participate in the State Teachers Retirement System – passed 92-0.

H. B. 4289 – relating to disability pensions of municipal employees – passed 92-0.

H. B. 4347 – relating to voluntary contributions to the West Virginia State Police Forensic Laboratory Fund – passed 92-0.

H. B. 4502 – adding the crimes of murder and armed robbery to the list of offenses for which a prosecutor may apply for an order authorizing interception – passed 92-1.

H. B. 4542 – allowing public service districts to accept payment by credit card – passed 92-1.

H. B. 4607 – establishing certain criteria for the restricted operation of drones within State Parks, Forests, and Rail Trails – passed 92-1.

H. B. 4619 – relating to supporting implementation of comprehensive systems for teacher and leader induction and professional growth – passed 92-0.

H. B. 4624 – relating to West Virginia coordinate systems – passed 92-1.

All of these bills will be communicated to the Senate.

Bills read a second time:

Bills read a first time:

Finance Committee will meet at 2:30 p.m. in 460M.

Judiciary Committee will meet at 3 p.m. in 410M.

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

Senate Passes 11 Bills

admin
-
0

The Senate convened today at 11 a.m.

S. B. 30 was passed unanimously with one member absent. The bill would allow hunters and trackers to use a leashed do to track and retrieve a wounded deer or bear. The hunter must have a valid hunting license.

S. B. 307 was passed unanimously. The bill would declare that fundraising by boot drive or bucket brigade on a road or highway by volunteer fire departments, school approved groups and service or charitable non-profit organizations are not considered a nuisance. The fundraising must be done during daylight hours and at a four-way intersection.

S. B. 549 was passed unanimously. It would create the felony charge for harassing or intimidating a public official, public employee, juror or a witness to prevent them from completing their job. Currently it is only a misdemeanor.

S. B. 112, S. B. 359, S. B. 467,  S. B. 491, S. B. 493, S. B. 501, S. B. 535 and S. B. 576 were all passed unanimously.

Bills on Second Reading:

Bills on First Reading:

The following bills were taken up for immediate consideration and read for the first time prior to the second committee reference:

The Senate is in recess until 5 p.m.

Committees meeting today:

Finance directly following the floor session in 451M

Government Organization directly following Finance meeting in 208W

Judiciary directly folowing Government Organization in 208W

Committees meeting on Sunday:

Judiciary at 5 p.m. 208W

 

Update 5:56 p.m.:

The Senate reconvened at 5 p.m.

The body recieved committee reports.

S. B. 563 was taken up for immediate consideration and read for the first time prior to its second committee reference.

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

Committees meeting today:

Judiciary at 5:45 p.m. 208W

Committees meeting on Sunday:

Judiciary at 5 p.m. 208W

Senate Meets to Receive Committee Reports

admin
-
0

The Senate convened today at 11 a.m.

S. B. 474 was passed 21-12 with one member absent. The bill would make certified payrol documents (name and address of the employer, identification of the payroll number and work week ending date, name of the project location, contract number, employees, employee work classifications and job titles, county and state of employee’s residence, days and hours worked, hourly rate or other compensation, withholdings and deductions, and net pay) considered “confidential and proprietary.” This would make the documents not a part of the public record and no longer part of the Freedom of Information Act.

S. B. 523 was passed 27-7. The bill determined that wind power projects are not pollution control faclities and are considered real property for the purpose of taxation.

S. B. 412, S. B. 522, S. B. 543 and S. B. 626 were all passed unanimously.

Bills on Second Reading:

Bills on First Reading:

The Senate is in recess until 5 p.m.

Committees meeting today:

Health and Human Resources at 1:35 p.m. 451M

Energy, Industry and Mining at 1:35 p.m. 208W

Government Organization at 2 p.m. 208W

Judiciary at 3 p.m. 208W

Finance at 3:30 p.m. 451M

Committees meeting tomorrow:

Transportation and Infrastructure at 9 a.m. 451M

 

Update 6:13 p.m.

The Senate reconvened at 5 p.m.

The body recieved committee reports.

The following bills were taken up for immediate consideration and read for the first time prior to being sent to their second committee reference:

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

Committees meeting today:

Workforce imediately following the floor session in 208W

Energy, Industry and Mining imediately following the floor session in 451M

Judiciary imediately following the Workforce Committee meeting in 208W

Committees meeting tomorrow:

Transportation and Infrastructure at 8:30 a.m. 451M

Judiciary at 9:30 a.m. 208W

Natural Resources at 10 a.m. 451M

HB 4625 Passes in House

admin
-
0

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

These bills were approved by the House:

After hours of debate, H.B. 4625, relating to allocating a portion of any general revenue surplus accruing after a fiscal year to the Public Employees Insurance Agency Financial Stability Fund, passed the House unanimously.

Many Democratic members said they believe that more could be given to PEIA to help the state’s teachers, service personnel, and other public employees.

Republican members said the 20 percent portion that will be given to PEIA is the most reasonable solution for the state’s current crisis.

All House Bills will now be communicated to the Senate.

Committees meeting today:

Health and Human Resources will meet at 2:45 p.m. in 215E.

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

Judiciary will meet at 2 p.m. in 410M.

Rules will meet at 5:15 p.m. behind the Chamber.

Committees meeting tomorrow:

Judiciary will have a public hearing to discuss H. B. 2114 at 9 a.m. in the House Chamber. The Committee will meet directly after.

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

Update 7:25 p.m.

The Senate reconvened at 5:30 p.m.

Bills read a second time:

Bills read a first time:

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

1...168169170...403Page 169 of 403

House Social Media

Wrap Up: Blog of the West Virginia Legislature

Contact us: webmaster@wvlegislature.gov

Legislature Social Media

Senate Social Media

© West Virginia Legislature 2023