Blog – Page 182

Senate Sends House Furlough and Tax Reform Bills to Committee

Senate Floor Session

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May 22, 2017

The Senate sent House Bill 106, the furlough bill, and House Bill 107, the Tax Reform Act of 2017, to committee for further consideration during a brief Monday morning floor session.

The furlough bill heads to the Judiciary Committee, while the Tax Reform Act of 2017 is double refrenced, first to the Select Committee on Tax Reform, then to Finance.

The purpose of the furlough legislation is to protect state employee benefits such as vacation, healthcare and retirement in the event of a state government shutdown. In its current form, the bill would give backpay to employees upon their return from furlough.

The House version of the Tax Reform Act broadens the base of those who pay the sales tax, lifting the exemptions on a number of services, most notably a telecommunications tax. The bill also eliminates the tax on Social Security benefits for those making less than $100,000 over a three-year period. The legislation includes the elimination of taxes on veterans’ pensions. The bill also increases the personal income tax exemption from the current $2,000 to $2,500 per person for those making under $100,000 a year.

The House bill does not increase the sales tax. It also does not decrease the personal income tax, both of which are key components of the Senate bill, which passed last week.

The Select Committee on Tax Reform will meet at 2 p.m. in 451M

The Senate has adjourned until tomorrow at 9:30 a.m.

House Passes Tax/Revenue Measure

House Floor Session

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May 19, 2017

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The House of Delegates met around noon on Friday, passing House Bill 107.

The House passed HB 107 Relating generally to the Tax Reform Act of 2017- by a vote of 74-17. The bill now goes to the Senate for consideration. Two of the 12 amendments offered were adopted.

The House of Delegates is adjourned until 4 p.m. Tuesday, May 23.

Senate Meets Briefly, Adjourns Until Monday

Senate Floor Session

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May 19, 2017

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With Senator Ed Gaunch presiding and Senator Glenn Jeffries as the only other member in attendance, the Senate convened briefly this morning before adjourning until Monday morning.

The Senate was wating for the House of Delegates to pass its version of the Tax Reform Act of 2017, a bill that passed the House this afternoon. The tenative plan is for the Senate to amend its version into the House bill on Monday and then work out the diffferences in conference committee.

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

Senate Meets Briefly Thursday Evening.

Senate Floor Session

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May 18, 2017

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Three members of the Senate covened a brief floor session Thursday evening before adjourning until tomorrow at 11 a.m.

House Passes Public Employee Furlough bill

House Floor Session

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May 18, 2017

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Update:

The House met again at 5 p.m. to pass one bill and advance one.

House Bill 106 – Relating generally to the furlough of public employees during declared fiscal emergency – was read a first and second time to be passed by a vote of 82-2. House Bill 107 – Relating generally to the Tax Reform Act of 2017 – was read a first time.

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

The House of Delegates met at 11 a.m. on Thursday, May 18.

The House introduced House Concurrent Resolution 1 – Establishing a Select Committee on Taxation and Budget Matters. The resolution would keep Leadership members and minority chairs of the Finance committee in Charleston until June 5, allowing other members to leave. The House would reconvene on June 5 to pass a budget compromise.

Those who would stay in town would get reimburshed later.

House Takes No Action

House Floor Session

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May 17, 2017

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The House of Delegates convened twice on Wednesday, taking no action on bills.

In the second meeting at 4:30 p.m., the House heard from Gov. Jim Justice pushing the plan to pass revenue measures to balance the budget.

The House Finance and Judiciary committees met to discuss House Bill 102 – Increasing DMV fees and motor fuel excise taxes and House Bill 106 – Relating generally to the furlough of public employees during declared fiscal emergency.

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

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

Senate Advances Two Bills to Third Reading, Waits on the House.

Senate Floor Session

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May 17, 2017

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The Senate met briefly this afternoon to advance two bills to third reading with the right to amend. Senate Bill 1003 , relates generally to the WV Parkway Authority and Senate Bill 1006 increases funding for the State Road Fund.

The Senate recessed until later this afternoon with hopes that the House of Delegates will act on Senate Bill 1007, the Tax Reform Act of 2017. If there is no action, the Senate plans to adjourn until 6 p.m. the following day, contiuning the pattern each day, until the House acts. In this scenario, two Senators would be on hand each day to monitor the proceedings and call the full Senate back into session once the House acts on the bill.

The Senate has adjourned until tomorrow at 6 p.m.

House Meets Briefly, Schedules Committee Meetings

House Floor Session

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May 16, 2017

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The House of Delegates met briefly before Noon but recessed prior to discussion of legislation to schedule two committee meetings.

The House Finance Committee will continue a meeting which began prior to the floor session at 2 p.m. in 460M. Also, the House Govenment Organization Committee will meet at 2 p.m. in 215 E to discuss House Bill 106, which relates generally to the furlough of public employees during declared fiscal emergency.

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

After the recess, members met and reported HB 106 from Government Organization. The bill was then referred to the Judiciary Committee.

Also, HB 107, relating generally to the Tax Reform Act of 201; HB 108, increasing the funding for the State Road Fund; and, HB 109, making medical cannabis subject to the consumer sales and service tax, were introduced and referred to the Finance Committee.

The House is adjourned until tomorrow, May 17, 2017 at 11:00 a.m.

House Finance will meet at 9 a.m. in 460M.

House Judiciary will meet at 9 a.m. in 410M.

Senate Introduces and Advances Two Bills to Second Reading

Senate Floor Session

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May 16, 2017

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The Senate met briefly Tuesday morning to introduce Senate Bill 1006 , whcih increases funding for the State Road Fund, and Senate Bill 1007, the Tax Reform Act of 2017. Both bills were read a first time and advanced to second reading.

The Senate is in recess until 4 p.m.

Following the recess, the Senate convened to listen to an address from the Governor, before gaveling in for an evening floor session. The Senate then suspended the constitutional rules, requiring a bill be read on three separate days, to pass Senate Bill 1007 , the Tax Reform Act of 2017. The bill now heads to the House of Delegates for consideration.

The Senate has adjourned until tomorrow, May 17, 2017 at 11:00 a.m.

1st Extraordinary Session Reconvenes, Introduces Furlough Bill

House Floor Session

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May 16, 2017

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Both the House of Delegates and state Senate met briefly yesterday after a 10 day recess to reconvene the Extraordinary Session called by the Governor. Each chamber read an Amended Proclamation adding two items to the Call. One bill, House Bill 106, was introduced in the Hosue and referred to the committee process.

Both the House and Senate adjourned untill 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 16th, 2017.

House Finance was scheduled to meet at 9:15 a.m.