Blog – Page 183

House Rejects Senate Tax Bill, Adjourns Until May 15

House Floor Session

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May 5, 2017

The House of Delgates met twice on Friday.

The House met at 11 a.m. to introduce House Bill 105, which would limit the number of days members of the Legislature could receive compensation during an extended and extraordinary session.

The House met again at 5:30 p.m. when it took up a bill the Senate passed, Senate Bill 1004, relating to taxation. SB1004 is similar to one the House rejected on first reading yesterday. A motion was made to re-commit the bill to the Finance Committee, but the motion was rejected 34-58. The bill was ultimately rejected on first reading by a vote of 59-34.

The House is adjourned until 11 a.m. May 15.

Senate Passes Tax Plan, Adjourns Until May 15th

Senate Floor Session

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May 5, 2017

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State Senators met throughout the day both inside and outside the Senate Chamber to advance SB 1004, relating generally to tazation. The bill was introduced, read a first, second and third time and was passed by a 32-1 margin with one Senator absent.

Three other bills on 2nd Reading were referred to the Rules Committee. They were SB 1001, raising salary for classroom teachers; SB 1002, Increasing DMV fees and motor fuel excise tax; and, SB 1003, relating generally to WV Parkways Authority.

Senator also adopted SCR 101, providing for adjournment of Legislature until May 15, 2017.

The Senate stands adjourned until 11:00 a.m. on May 15th, 2017.

House Introduces Bills, Rejects Tax Plan

House Floor Session

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May 4, 2017

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The House of Delegates met in special budget session today.

The House gaveled in this morning at 11 a.m. and reconvened this afternoon to take up four bills.

House Bill 101 relates to teacher pay raises, House Bill 102 would raise DMV fees and gas tax, and House Bill 103 relates to WV Parkway Authorities.

Delegates also, using House Rule 103, rejected House Bill 104 related to taxation, on first reading.

The three bills introduced were referred to the House Finance Committee.

The house reconvenes at 11 a.m. Friday, May 5.

Senate Convenes First Special Session of 2017 to Continue Budget Work

Senate Floor Session

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May 4, 2017

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The Senate convened the First Special Session of 2017 today as the Legislature continues to work on a budget agreement. The body read three blls a first time today.

Senate Bill 1001 would give classroom teachers a pay raise, Senate Bill 1002 would increase DMV fees and the motor fuel excise tax, while Senate Bill 1003 relates generally to the WV Parkways Authority.

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

Senate Confirms 81 Nominations, Adjourns Sine Die

Senate Floor Session

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April 9, 2017

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The Senate met briefly Sunday evening to confirm 81 of the Governor’s 83 Executive nominations.

The Senate has adjourned Sine Die.

House of Delegate Passes Budget Bill HB 2018

House Floor Session

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April 9, 2017

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The House of Delegates met early this morning to discuss House Bill 2018, the Budget Bill.

Delegate Nelson (R-Kanawha) said, “This budget raises no taxes and takes 90 million dollars out of the rainy day fund to replace what would be cut from Medicare.”

Delegate Byrd (D-Kanawha) asked if the budget would restore the courtesy patrol. He was informed the bill to take away the courtesy patrol failed.

Delegate Wilson (R-Berkeley) said, “This budget honors the taxpayers.”

Delegate Zatezalo (R-Hancock) said, “I think this budget is responsible but it is difficult. I say we pass this budget right now and then get to the negotiating table.”

Delegate Sobonya (R-Cabell) said, “When you don’t have the revenue and pass the cuts, this is what you get.”

Delegate Cowles (R-Morgan) said, “This is a bridge to a time where our economy will be doing better. I hope soon we can start spending money on programs but until then we need to live within our means and I urge a green vote.”

The bill passed with 63 yeas and 37 nays.

The legislature has completed the business of the first Regular Session.

The House has adjourned sine die.

Senate Passes House Budget Bill

Senate Floor Session

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April 9, 2017

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The Senate has completed legislation on 13 more bills by the midnight deadline of the 2017 Regular Session. Those bills will now to be sent to the governor for enaction.

SB 172 would eliminate the salary for members of the West Virginia Water Development Board.

SB 204 would require that persons appointed to fill a vacancy by the Governor have the same qualifications for the vacated office and receive same compensation and expenses for the office otherwise provided by law.

SB 244 would encourage and facilitate the efficient and economic development of oil and gas resources by providing that a lawful use of mineral property that has been consented to by a majority of the ownership interests in the property is permissible, is not waste, and is not a trespass.

SB 554 would create the crime of false swearing in a legislative proceeding and penalties for violators.

HB 2196 would allow for the participation of home schooled students in certain secondary school activities.

HB 2329 would make unlawful the production, manufacture or possession of fentanyl.

HB 2526 would classify additional drugs to Schedules I, II, IV and V of controlled substances.

HB 2561 would create additional flexibility for school systems in the use of school aid funds.

HB 2579 would increase the penalties for transportation of narcotics and certain controlled substances into the state.

HB 2585 would create criminal offenses relating to money laundering.

HB 2587 would clarify that a firearm may be carried for self defense in state parks, state forests and state recreational areas managed by the Division of Natural Resources.

HB 2631 would prevent dismissal of complaints that exceed time standards for disposition when the accused causes delay that results in the time overage.

HB 2711 would abolish Regional Education Service Agencies.

HB 3020 would provide that the penalty for hunting, trapping or fishing on the lands of another, entering upon posted lands, or destroying posted land signs shall be equivalent to the penalty for criminal trespass.

The Senate also amended and passed the House budget bill, HB 2018, to be sent back to the House for further consideration.

Finance Chair Mike Hall, R-Putnam, amended the bill on behalf of the Senate Finance Committee to make several modifications based on previous budget bills and suggestions from the governor.

Committee Meetings Tomorrow

Confirmations: 5 p.m. in 208W

The Senate is adjourned until 6 p.m. tomorrow.

Senate Completes Legislation on Coal Mining Safety Bill

Senate Floor Session

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April 8, 2017

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The Senate has completed legislation on nine bills now to be sent to the governor for enaction.

SB 40 would require protocols for responding to after-school injuries or emergencies to be included in school crisis response plans.

SB 535 would reorganize the Division of Tourism as the new West Virginia Tourism Office.

SB 687 would relate generally to coal mining, coal mine safety and environmental protection.

HB 2447 would rename the Court of Claims the state Claims Commission and rename judges as commissioners.

HB 2555 would remove the requirement that programs be jointly administered by labor and management trustees in order to qualify for tax credits for apprenticeship training in construction trades.

HB 2721 would eliminate the cap on the size of projects constructed by the Division of Highways.

HB 2722 would remove the financial limitations on how many design build projects may be undertaken by the Division of Highways.

HB 2731 would clarify that only civil actions with controversial amounts exceeding $7,500 must be heard in circuit court, except in actions relating to real estate installment sales contracts or actions confined exclusively by the Constitution to some other tribunal.

HB 2846 would include high school students participating in a competency-base pharmacy technician education and training program, as persons qualifying to be a pharmacy technician trainee.

The Senate also passed eight bills to be sent to the House for concurrence.

HB 2620 would create a central repository of drug overdose information in West Virginia.

The bill was advanced to second reading, where Senator Charles Trump, R-Morgan, amended the bill on behalf of the Senate Judiciary Committee to make provisions related to the creation of the Office of Drug Control Policy in the DHHR, as well as add certain reporting requirements and give the DHHR authority over making necessary rules to implement the bill’s provisions.

Members of the Senate voted to override constitutional rules to move the bill to third reading, allowing the bill to then be passed.

HB 2684 would impose penalties for repeat violations of the prohibition on driving under the influence on a suspended license by persons under the age of twenty-one.

HB 2704 would prohibit persons convicted of sexual offenses against children with whom they hold positions of trust from being employed by any educational, vocational, training, day care, group home, foster care program, or rehabilitation facility in the state.

HB 2781 would amend the effective dates for the voter identification and registration provisions adopted in the 2016 legislative session and to eliminate the requirement that DMV forward information to the Secretary of State for persons who decline to be registered to vote.

HB 2887 would authorize Boards of Governors of institutions of higher education to develop retirement and incentive packages.

HB 2936 would eliminate master contracts that agencies may currently use to purchase certain commodities.

HB 3020 would provide that the penalty for hunting, trapping or fishing on the lands of another, entering upon posted lands or destroying posted land signs shall be equivalent to the penalty for criminal trespass.

The bill had been advanced with the right to amend. Senator Mark Maynard, R-Wayne, amended the bill on behalf of the Senate Natural Resources Committee to add provisions related to wildlife resources and law enforcement measures.

HB 3096 would allow more local review and control over the operation of, and setting rates, fees and charges for, water and sewer utilities that are owned by political sub-divisions of the state.

The bill had been advanced with the right to amend. Senator Craig Blair, R-Berkeley, amended the bill on behalf of the Senate Government Organization Committee to add a new paragraph relating to the process by which a customer may challenging changed rates, as well as clarify new term definitions.

The Senate is in recess until 9:45 p.m. this evening.

Senate Completes Legislation on Bill Related to Tanning Bed Usage Restrictions

Senate Floor Session

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April 8, 2017

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The Senate has completed legislation on a bill that would prohibit the use of a tanning device by a person under the age of eighteen.

The bill, HB 2520, will now be sent to the governor for enaction.

The Senate passed eight bills to be sent to the House for concurrence.

HB 2109 would include a municipal land bank as an agency within the West Virginia Land Reuse Agency Authorization Act and that a municipal land bank may acquire tax delinquent property.

HB 2359 would align the criminal penalties of practicing osteopathic medicine with those of practicing allopathic medicine.

HB 2552 would increase the pet food registration fee and direct that the additional money to the West Virginia Spay Neuter Assistance Fund.

HB 2637 would extend the date for expiration of provisions related to the employment of a retired teacher as a substitute beyond the post-retirement limit in areas of critical need and shortage to June 30, 2020.

HB 2648 would increase criminal penalties for individuals convicted of manufacturing, delivering, or transporting controlled substances in the presence of a minor.

HB 2674 would provide access to and receipt of certain information regarding protected persons by certain relatives of the protected person.

HB 2675 would designate the placement of nonpartisan judicial offices on the primary election ballot.

HB 2851 would update fee structure provisions for broker-dealers, agents, investment advisers and certain securities offerings and opinions, as well as increase the associated fund cap.

The bill had been advanced to third reading with the right to amend. Senator Mike Hall, R-Putnam, amended the bill on behalf of the Senate Finance Committee to add certain provisions to a section in the bill relating to the State Auditor’s duties.

Of those bills on third reading, HB 2651 was referred to the Senate Rules Committee. The bill would require nationally normed standardized achievement tests to be administered to nonpublic students between the ages of seven and 17.

The Senate amended House amendments to Senate Bills 27, 220, 441 and 630, which will now be sent back to the House for concurrence.

The Senate is in recess until 6 p.m. this evening.

Senate Passes Bill to Abolish RESAs

Senate Floor Session

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April 8, 2017

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The Senate has passed five bills to be sent to the House for concurrence.

HB 2196 would allow for the participation of home schooled students in certain secondary school activities.

HB 2711 would abolish Regional Education Service Agencies (RESA) and funding by July 1, 2017, and provide authority for county school systems to share services, modify school accreditation and accountability measures, alter school and school system intervention procedures and requirements and reduce statewide student assessment requirements.

HB 2801 would expire $101.7 million to the General Revenue Fund from the Revenue Shortfall Reserve Fund (Rainy Day Fund).

HB 2935 would establish the state Flood Protection Planning Council and a Joint Legislative Committee on Flooding.

HB 3103 would expire $2.7 million to the General Revenue Fund for the Department of Health and Human Resources from the Revenue Shortfall Reserve Fund (Rainy Day Fund).

The Senate also refused to recede their amendments to House Bills 2589, 2631 and 2805, and sent the bills into conference committees to reconcile differences between the Senate and House on the bills.

The Senate is in recess until 3:25 p.m. this afternoon.