Blog – Page 178

Jeffrey Pack Sworn in as New Delegate

Swearing-In Ceremony

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January 10, 2018

Jeffrey Pack, an Operations Manager from Cool Ridge, WV was sworn in today by House Speaker Tim Armstead following his appointment by Governor Justice to the seat vacated by the resignation of John O’Neal IV.

Delegate Pack was accompanied by his wife Shanna and his two daughters, Madison, 9, and Briella, 6 during the swearing in ceremony in the House Chambers.

Delegate Pack represents the 28th Delegate District in Raleigh County and previously served as a Herndon Intern in the House Minority Office under Jeff Billings.

Senate Convenes Regular Session, Introduces 151 Bills

Senate Floor Session

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January 10, 2018

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The Senate convened the Second Regular Session of the 83rd Legislature today at Noon.

The body introduced and read 151 bills a first time, of those, Senate Bill 39, would create the Sexual Assault Victims Bill of Rights. Also, Senate Bill 58, would give certain state retirees a cost of living raise.

The Senate is in recess until 6:45 p.m.

The following committees will meet this afternoon:

Finance 3 p.m. 451M

Judiciary 3 p.m. 208W

Pension and Retirement 2 p.m. 451M

Economic Development 1 p.m. 208W

UPDATE:

The Senate reconvened briefly following the State of the State Address to introduce the Budget Bill.

The Senate will reconvene tomorrow at 11 a.m.

Finance will meet tomorrow at 9:30 a.m. in 451M

House Hears from Gov. Justice During State of the State 2018

House Floor Session

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January 10, 2018

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The House convened in its second session of the 83rd Legislature.

The House reintroduced carry-over bills from the first session. The House introduced several resolutions.

The House is in recess until 6:50 p.m., before Gov. Justice gives his State of the State Address.

House Judiciary meets today at 2 p.m. in 410M.

UPDATE:

The House convened briefly and then recessed to hear from Gov. Jim Justice on his State of the State.

The House introduced the Budget Bill and adjourned until 11 a.m. tomorrow.

Senate Quickly Passes Road Bond Bill

Senate Floor Session

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December 4, 2017

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The Senate convened the third Special Session of 2017 this afternoon and quickly passed Senate Bill 3001, which would issue road bonds yearly until 2021. The legislation would formally authorize the state to proceed with the sale of up to $1.6 billion in road bonds.

During the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2017, $800 million would be released for road construction and highway maintenance. That figure would be reduced to $400 million in fiscal year 2018 and $200 million in both fiscal years 2019 and 2020. Any amount not sold in a fiscal year may be carried over and issued in any subsequent year before July 1, 2021. These funds would be matched by federal dollars. Provisions in the bill clarify funds can only be used for state road employees and state road projects.

The legislation is currently being considered in the House of Delegates.

The Senate is in recess until 5 p.m.

UPDATE:

The Senate met briefly Monday evening, adopting SCR 301. The resolution provides for the issuance of bonds under the Roads to Prosperity Amendment of 2017.

The Senate has adjourned the 3rd Extraordinary Session of 2017, Sine Die.

House Passes Road Bond Bill

House Floor Session

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December 4, 2017

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The House of Delegates met this afternoon to convene for a third Extraordinary session of the 2017 Legislature.

The House took up Senate Bill 3001 after it was passed by the Senate. The bill would issue road bonds over the course of four years ending in 2021. It would be matched by federal dollars, decreasing amounts each year. The first year would release $800 million to go towards road and highway maintenance. Definitions in the bill clarify that the money can only be used for state road employees and/or state road projects.

The bonds would benefit all 55 counties, according to Delegate Eric Nelson.

UPDATE:

The House passed SB 3001 with no amendments.

The House is in recess until 5:30 p.m.

UPDATE:

The House adopted SCR 301 – Providing for issuance of bonds under Roads to Prosperity Amendment of 2017.

The House adjourned its 2017 third Extraordinary session.

Senate Completes Action on Four Bills, Adjourns Until Nov. 13

Senate Floor Session

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October 17, 2017

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The Senate completed action on three bills and amended and passed another during a late afternoon floor session.

The body amended and passed Senate Bill 2003, which implements special hiring procedures for the Department of Highways and Tax Divisions. The legislation is intended to expidite hiring, particularly for auditors to keep an eye on road project financing and taxes. This bill now heads to the House of Delegates for consideration.

The completed bills this afternoon include:

House Bill 201, which will exempt military retirement income from personal income tax beginning next year.

House Bill 203, which will increase tax credits for rehabilitation of historic buildings and structures.

House Bill 205, which strengthens the West Virginia Jobs Act. The act gives job preference to the local labor market on state funded projects.

Following a recess until 9 p.m., the Senate returned to concur in the House amendments to Senate Bill 2003, coompleting legislative action on the bill.

The Senate has adjourned until Nov. 13 at Noon.

House Passes Several Bills

House Floor Session

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October 17, 2017

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The House of Delegates met for several hours on Tuesday, passing a few bills quickly.

House Bill 201 was passed 95-1. The bill would exempt military retirement income from personal income tax. The House attempted to include social security recepients into that group, but the amendments were ruled not germane to the bill. The legislation goes to the Senate for consideration.

House Bill 203 was also passed, by a vote of 95-0. The bill relates generally to tax credits for rehabilitation of historic buildings and structures.

House Bill 205 was passed by a vote of 94-1. The bill relates to the West Virginia Jobs Act.

The House is in recess until 5:30 p.m. today.

The House met briefly again to pass Senate Bill 2002 – Allowing certain tax information be shared with designated DOH employees. The bill completes legislation.

Action was postponed on Senate Bill 2003 and the House passed Senate Bill 2005.

The House is in recess until 8:30 p.m.

The House met again to pass SB 2003 – Implementing special hiring procedures for DOH and Tax Division. The bill passed with an additional amendment offered by Delegate Howell. The Senate concurred in the House amendment for the bill to complete legislation.

The House is now adjourned sine die.

Senate Passes Two Bills, Introduces Two Others

Senate Floor Session

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October 17, 2017

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The Senate passed two bills and introduced two others during a brief afternoon floor session on Tuesday.

The body amended the House amendments and passed Senate Bill 2002. This legislation, which would allow certain tax information to be shared with designated DOH employee to ensure contractors on winning state highway bids are in good standing on their taxes, will now head back to the House of Delegates for consideration.

The Senate also suspended the constitutional rules to quickly pass Senate Bill 2005, which deals with finding and declaring claims against the state.

The body also introuduced Senate Bill 2004 , relating to tax credits for rehabilitation of historic buildings and structures, and Senate Bill 2006, relating to the WV Jobs Act.

The Senate is in recess until 3 p.m.

Senate Convenes Second Extraordinary Session

Senate Floor Session

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October 16, 2017

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The Senate met briefly at Noon to convene the Second Special Session of 2017.

The body accepted the resignations of Ronald Miller and Mike Hall. They are replaced by Senators Stephen Baldwin (D- Greebrier) and Mark Drennan (R -Putnam) respectively.

The Governor called the special session to deal with issues regarding Department of Highways hiring following the approval of the road bond. There are also plans to exempt veterans’ retirement income from personal income tax.

The Senate is in recess until 2 p.m.

UPDATE:

On Monday afternoon, the Senate suspended the constitutional rules to quickly pass Senate Bill 2002, which allows certain tax information to be shared with designated DOH employee. This legislation is intended to ensure contractors on winning state highway bids are in good standing on their taxes.

Senate Bill 2003 , which implements special hiring procedures for the Department of Highways and Tax Divisions, was read a first time. The legislation is intended to expidite hiring, particularly for auditors to keep an eye on road project financing and taxes.

The Senate has adjourned until Tuesday at Noon.

House Adjourns until noon tomorrow

House Floor Session

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October 16, 2017

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Update:

The House met to pass Senate Bill 2002 -Allowing certain tax information be shared with designated DOH employees. The House passed an amendment to the bill which will go to the Senate for concurrence.

The House read House Bill 203 – Relating generally to tax credits for rehabilitation of historic buildings and structures – for a first time.

The House is adjourned until noon tomorrow.

Original:

The House of Delegates met at noon for the Second Extraordinary session.

The House had to make a few appointments as vacancies were left by Delegate Nancy Foster and the late Delegate Tony Lewis.

Del. Diana Graves (R-Kanawha) was appointed to replace Foster and Del. D. Rolland Jennings (R-Preston) to replace Lewis.

Gov. Jim Justice called a special session to address the passage of the road bond, among other pieces of legislation. The House read House Bill 201 – Exempting military retirement income from personal income tax – a first time, and refered House Bill 202 – Allowing certain tax information to be shared with designated employees of Commissioner of Highways – to committee.

The House will re-convene at 5 p.m. today.

The Joint Committee on Education Oversight will meet at 6 p.m. or immediatly following the floor session. The Health Committee Joint meeting was cancelled.