Friday, June 27, 2025
Friday, June 27, 2025
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House Passes Bill to Sell Jackie Withrow Hospital

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The House of Delegates met today and passed 14 bills.

SB 306 would supplement, amend, and increase an item of appropriation in the aforesaid account for the designated spending unit for expenditure during the fiscal year 2017. The bill passed 99-0.

HB 2180 would authorize the issuing of special “In God We Trust” license plates for a $10 fee, as well as special “Friends of Coal” license plates. The bill passed 98-0.

HB 2208 would allow counties and municipalities to establish a joint airport hazard comprehensive plan for the purpose of satisfying requirements of federal aviation law, protecting the public safety or preventing hazardous conditions. This is to help with safety with takeoff and landing. The bill passed 98-0.

HB 2366 would require the selling of Jackie Withrow Hospital by the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Resources. Currently, the state owns seven long-term care facilities. The Department of Corrections uses part of the building. Delegate Nelson said this bill allows the Secretary of DHHR to look into selling the facility and most importantly, where to relocate the residents. Delegate Bates stood to educate the House about Jackie Withrow. She was a member of the House of Delegates and the first woman to chair the Health and Human Resources Committee. If passed and the hospital is closed, there is a special revenue account to be known as the “Jackie Withrow Long Term Care Facility Development Fund.” The bill passed 58-41.

HB 2475 would require the Auditor and other state, county, district or municipal officers to certify to the Tax Commissioner the identity of payees prior to issuance of payments, and authorize the Tax Commissioner to identify those payees who are not in good standing with the Tax Department and to require the Auditor or issuing officer to forward to the Tax Commissioner the lesser of the amount of tax interest and penalty owed or the remaining amount of payment. The bill passed 96-2.

HB 2494 would provide that statewide school report cards are only to be made available to custodial parents and guardians of students upon request instead of automatically being sent to the parents and guardians. The bill passed 95-2.

HB 2524 would improve the focus on school-level continuous improvement processes led by the principal. The instruction must include the standards for high quality schools, the school accreditation process and strategic planning for continuous improvement. In the bill, school systems are given the flexibility to establish their own systems of support and supervision of beginning principals and the current state mandated programs and processes are eliminated. The bill passed 63-35.

HB 2679 would prohibit county park commissions from prohibiting firearms in their facilities and to clarify that a firearm may be carried by a person for self-defense in state parks, state forests and state recreational areas managed by the Department of Natural Resources. The bill passed 95-4.

HB 2702 would excuse students from school for a family member’s illness provided an in depth excuse is provided by a doctor with a reason of why the student needs to be home with the family member. The bill passed 95-3.

HB 2709 would authorize the City of South Charleston to levy a special district excise tax for the benefit of the South Charleston Park Place Economic Opportunity Development District. This would allow for a road expansion and development opportunities for an 80-acre pond and tech park. The bill passed 92-5.

HB 2734 would authorize a method for the collection and remittance of property taxes related to dealer’s heavy equipment inventory. The bill passed 98-0.

HB 2774 wouldallow aircraft and aircraft parts to be taxed at the same rate as aircraft property. The bill passed 92-4.

HB 2805 would declare certain claims against the state to be moral obligations of the state and to authorize payments therefor from the following funds: General Revenue Fund: $ 624,388.72, State Road Fund: $828,710.52, and Special Revenue Funds: $ 458,733.53 for a total of $1,911,832.77. The bill passed 98-0.

HB 3093 would establish Broadband Enhancement and Expansion Policies. The bill would authorize the establishment of cooperative associations for the purpose of obtaining internet services. The bill passed 97-2.

Committee Meetings Today

Gov. Org.: 3 p.m. in 215E

Judiciary: 3:15 p.m. in 410M

Education: 3:15 p.m. in 434M

Finance: 3:15 p.m. in 460M 

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

Update:

The House met briefly at 7:15 p.m. to recieve standing committee reports. 

Committee Meetings after 5 minutes after evening session: Finance, Judiciary, and Education. 

Tomorrow, the Rules Committee will meet at 8:15 a.m.

The House is adjourned until 8:30 a.m.

Senate Passes Second Chance to Work Bill on Floor

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The Senate met this morning to pass nine bills on third reading.

Senate Resolution 51 designated March 24, 2017 as Jefferson County Day and Senate Resolution 52 designated March 24, 2017 as firefighter’s day.

Senate Bill 18 would require a new comprehensive statewide student assessment.

Senator Prezioso (D-Marion) said, “This bill is a total assault on public education. I oppose it.”

Senator Romano (D-Harrison) also opposed it and said, “If we don’t have a strong education system, then the American dream is nothing but a puff of smoke.”

Senator Karnes (R-Upshur) was for the bill and said, “Taxpayers need to know that their dollars are being invested wisely.”

The bill passed with a vote of 18 yeas and 16 nays.

Senate Bill 61 would Provide consumers sales and service tax and use tax exemption for certain services and tangible personal property sold for repair, remodeling and maintenance of aircraft.

Senate Bill 76 would create the West Virginia Second Chance for Employment Act.

Senator Jeffries (D-Putnam) said, “This gives us an opportunity to welcome able, trustworthy citizens back into a normal life.”

Senator Gaunch (R-Kanawha) said, “I believe in personal responsibility but I also believe in mercy and this bill strikes a great balance between both.”

Senate Bill 183 would transfer the Division of Forestry from the Department of Commerce to the Department of Agriculture.

Senate Bill 419 would create special revenue fund sources for the Division of Labor to meet statutory obligations.

Senate Bill 464 would eliminate taxation on annuity consideration received by life insurer.

Senate Bill 486 relates to health care provider taxes.

Senate Bill 535 would reorganize the Division of Tourism and rename it to the West Virginia Tourism Office. The bill also allows for increased flexibility to market the state with a more strategic and results driven approach.

Senate Bill 538 would create special conditions of parole.

The following committees meet today:

Select Committee on Tax Reform at 2:15 p.m. in 451M.

Energy, Industry and Mining at 2:15 p.m. in 208W.

Government Organization at 3:15 p.m. in 451M or 208W.

Judiciary at 4:15 p.m. in 208W.

Finance at 4:15 p.m. in 451M.

The following committees meet tomorrow:

Natural Resources at 8 a.m.

Government Organization at 8 a.m.

Education at 9 a.m.

 

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

Senate Health Refers Medical Cannabis Bill out of Committee

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The Senate Committee on Health and Human Resources discussed one bill this morning.

Senate Bill 386 would create the West Virginia Medical Cannabis Act. This bill would set up a cannabis commission in DHHR. There would be an application process, ongoing evaluations, conditions needing to be met for the use of cannabis, and a referral process. There would be a criminal background check and registration process for the growers as well. The bill is also set up to be diverse in geography and minority owned businesses. There is a penalty for violation of the bill of 5 years and $10,000. There is also a proposed substitute with technical changes. 

Senator Clements (R-Wetzel) asked, “Are there records that will be kept on who is prescribing this?”

Council confirmed that there would be.

Senator Maroney (R-Marshall) said, “I’ve never really given a lot of thought to this but this definitely helps people with certain diseases. I’m glad we are talking about it.”

Senator Stollings (D-Boone) moved to amend the bill to mandate that the recommendations are reported to the board of pharmacy. The amendment was adopted.

Senator Stollings also moved to amend the bill so that ten percent of the contracts awarded through the commission would go to the Veteran’s Agriculture Program. The amendment was adopted.

Senator Karnes (R-Upshur) moved that those with the prescription can grow their own two plants for personal use instead of going to a dispensary in order to keep the price down. The amendment was adopted.

Senator Maroney said, “I personally can’t support the bill as written but I can support the concept. The bill is too broad. I also don’t know what it would mean if we legalize this in the state but not federally.”

The bill was reported to the Committee on the Judiciary with the recommendation that it pass with a vote of 6 yeas and 5 nays.

House Gov. Org. Discuss Originating Bill at Morning Meeting

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House Government Organization discussed HB 2376 and HB Originating in committee this morning.

HB 2376 would provide that the Bureau for Medical Services be renamed the Department of Medical Services with the Commissioner of the Bureau for Medical Services becoming the Secretary of the Department of Medical Services.  The bill would provide that the Department continue to operate as currently configured as the Bureau for Medical Services with the structure of the Department of the Health and Human Resources for administrative support, interagency cooperation and program support.

HB Originating would create the Board of Nursing and Health services, by combining all nursing and health boards into one.  

Vaccination Exemption Bill Approved in Senate Education

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Senate Education met today and discussed SB 401 and SB 537.

SB 401 wouldpermit a county board of education to base its employment decisions, transfers, reassignments, reducing the number of professional personnel, reductions in classroom teaching positions and reductions in the workforce on an individual’s qualifications. The goal of this legislation is to keep the most qualified educators in the classroom.

Chairman Mann (R-Monroe) stepped out of the chairman’s seat to be able to discuss this bill, because he opposed it. He believes we are already keeping our most qualified teachers here and moving from the seniority system could lead to the “buddy-system,” where people are hired because of who they know, not their qualifications. He also felt changing to this system could burden the county boards of education.

Senator Plymale (D-Wayne) said he had an issue with number nine on the list of considerations for filling vacancies. Number nice states, “Other measures or indicators upon which the relative qualifications of the applicant may fairly be judged.” He said without knowing these other measures, he wasn’t comfortable supporting the bill. The bill passed the committee 7-6 and will be sent to the full Senate.

SB 537 wouldprovide exemptions from mandatory immunizations. Sharron Stefan spoke to the committee and stated she has treated children and never saw a serious complication from vaccinations. Senator Stollings (D-Boone) said, “98-99 percent of the health care community is in agreement with vaccines.” He said being able to prevent diseases with vaccines are what we hope for. The bill passed in the committee and will be sent to the full Senate.

 

The committee recessed until 6:30 p.m. this evening. 

Senate Gov. Org. Approves Bill to Exempt DHHR from Certain Purchasing Requirements

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The Senate Government Organization Committee has approved four bills to be reported to the full Senate with the recommendation that they pass. 

SB 380 would create a two-year pilot program permitting recreational vehicles on designated roads and trails in Cabwaylingo State Forest after purchase of special permits.  

The bill also provides for designation of campgrounds and tent sites to be used by the ATV and ORV users.

DNR Director Steve McDaniel said the division very much supports the bill.

The bill was previously reported out of Senate Natural Resources with the recommendation that it pass.

SB 631 would clarify the process by which municipal governments may abate unsafe, unsanitary or dangerous dilapidated structures that are detrimental to the public safety or welfare.

SB 671 would reestablish the West Virginia Anatomical Board.

SB 634 would create an exemption for the Department of Health and Human Resources from having to go through the requirements of the Division of Purchasing when entering into agreements with West Virginia University or Marshall University for the provision of services, which will encourage collaboration and cost-saving between the Universities and Department of Health and Human Resources.

DHHR Deputy Secretary Jeremiah Samples said the current purchasing policies have created problems with allowing the DHHR to cooperate with WVU and Marshall in a timely manner for collaborative projects, events or activities.

Samples said there are very many universities in states throughout the nation that already have such provisions in place.

Andrew Kirkner of the West Virginia Association of Health Plans said the private sector’s main concern is ensuring that they are still able to competitively bid on certain contracts the bill deals with.

Kirkner counsel made an amendment related to the bill’s treatment of Medicaid, which the committee adopted.

The committee laid over SB 638, which would provide an exemption from taking the business and law portion of the examination for a license under the West Virginia Contractor Licensing Act when an applicant presents evidence of retaining a certified public accountant or public accountant to file business and tax filings required by the state and federal government.

Members felt that they needed more time to assess the provisions of the bill in relation to the exam to ensure those exempted from the business and law portion of the exam would still be qualified to do their jobs as needed.

David Mullins and Mitchell Woodrum of the Division of Labor were present to answer questions from members of the committee about the examination.

Members of the committee also adopted the subcommittee reports for Senate Bills 294534 and 501.

The committee is recessed until a time that will be announced tomorrow during the Senate floor session.

House Finance Reports Bill to Sell Hopemont Hospital

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The House Finance Committee met again this afternoon to discuss three bills.

House Bill 3048 relates to collection of Tier II fees for chemical inventories. The fees collected would be increased to a maximum of $2,500 from $100. 

Delegate Westfall (R-Jackson) asked if this was a one-time fee. Council informed the committee that the fees would be taken up over time.

The jump for the fees are to pay for training of employees and maintenance of the facilities that house the chemicals. The manufacturers of the chemicals are also in favor of the bill.

The bill was reported to the floor of the House with the recommendation that it pass.

House Bill 2720  would allow the School Building Authority to transfer funds allocated into the School Construction Fund. The bill as introduced would allow transfer of funds to a school construction funds. The bill was reported to the floor with the recommendation that it pass.

House Bill 3102 relates to selling Hopemont Hospital. The bill ensures that a replacement facility be constructed that can hold at least 60 beds for the patients in the hospital. The bill was amended by Delegate Longstreth (D-Marion) to ensure the beds built would be given to those at Hopemont first.

Delegate Longstreth said, “I was trying to make it more clear that this would be a replacement facility for the patients and not replacing Hopemont itself.”

Delegate Walters (R-Kanawha) asked, “If a patient can receive better service at another facility, are we now restricting them to this facility?”

Council responded that the bill would not force them to go to the certain replacement facility for long term care.

Delegate Householder (R-Berkeley) urged rejection of the amendment. He said the language was duplicative and places an unneeded burden on those selling the hospital.

The amendment was adopted. The bill was then reported to the floor with the recommendation that it pass.

Bill Related to Health Care Record Fees Approved in Senate Health

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The Senate Health and Human Resources Committee has approved a bill that would establish a new fee structure for the furnishment of health care records.

The bill, SB 578, would do so by allowing records to be furnished to a patient’s personal representative and establishing a limit on the total fee allowable for the furnishment of a patient’s health care record.

Stephen New of the West Virginia Association for Justice, said there are problems with the bill, since current law was specifically created to comply with federal law and the proposed bill would violate those agreements.

Senator Charles Trump, R-Morgan, is the lead sponsor of the bill and said he created the bill to address the amount of litigation with the current law by setting clearer cost caps on the documents.

The committee also voted to lay over HB 2459, which would clarify certain requirements of the certificate of need process.

The bill was sent to the committee last year but was never voted on or reported out.

Sonia Chambers, chair of the West Virginia Healthcare Authority, was available to answer questions from members of the committee about the effects of the bill.

Secretary of the DHHR Bill Crouch was also present to field questions from the committee, but he said the DHHR did not have time to review the bill prior to the meeting.

Senator Ron Stollings, D-Boone, motioned that the committee lay the bill over until the bill could be further reviewed by those parties affected by it.

The committee is in recess until 10 a.m. tomorrow, where they will meet again in room 451M in order to finish addressing the previous bill, as well as Senate Bills 386 and 47, which were also on the agenda for today.

House Judiciary Approve Com. Sub. for Parental Notification Bill (HB 2002)

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The Judiciary Committee met to receive sub-committee reports and move bills to House floor.

HB 2930 wouldallow a Powerball winner to be anonymous if they elect to be anonymous. The bill will be reported to the floor with recommendation that it do pass.

HB 2704 wouldprohibit persons convicted of sexual offenses against children with whom they hold positions of trust from holding certification or license valid in public schools. It would also 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 and increase penalties for persons who are school employees and convicted of sexual offenses against children with whom they hold positions of trust. The sub-committee found it is already illegal for someone convicted of those crimes to be near a school or accept employment there. The committee substitute takes criminal code and applies it to educational code. The bill will be reported to the floor with recommendation that it do pass.

HB 2781 would require voters to provide a photo identification when voting and identify the requirements for those photo identifications, to set forth certain qualifying identification documents. It would provide for provisional ballots to be cast by voters who do not possess the required photo identification. The bill will be reported to the floor with recommendation that it do pass.

HB 2002 would require a 24 hour wait from constructive (mail) notification to parent of minor. The minor, alone or with doctor, may petition the court for notification waiver. The committee substitute also state minor should see a psychiatrist. The bill will be reported to the floor with recommendation that it do pass.

HB 2520 was reconsidered to reject an amendment from the Health and Human Resources Committee. The bill prohibits the use of tanning devices by minors, those under the age of 18. The bill passed again and will be reported to the floor with the recommendation that it do pass.

 

The Judiciary Committee is in recess until after the floor session this evening. 

Seven Bills Moved from House Today

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Today the House of Delegates passed seven bills.

SB 127 would authorize the Insurance Commissioner to issue a legislative rule relating to Adoption of a Valuation Manual.

HB 2519 would require the secretary of the Department of Health and Human Resources to enter into a compact to ensure payment for health care services provided to other states’ Medicaid participants.

HB 2808 would provide assisted outpatient treatment to individuals suffering from mental illness to prevent them from harming themselves or others, as well as to prevent the costs of inpatient involuntary hospitalization and costs of incarceration due to untreated mental illness.

HB 2857 would create the West Virginia Safer Workplaces Act. It allows employers to test employees and prospective employees for drugs and alcohol. The drug testing must be done during work time and the employer must pay for the testing. If a test is failed, a second test shall be administered. If both come back with positive results, then discipline actions may be taken. The goal of this legislation is to make the workplace safe for all employees.

HB 3009 wouldgrant the Office of Health Facility Licensure and Certification access to the Controlled Substances Monitoring Program database for regulatory purposes.

HB 3061 wouldencourage a limited cohort of schools to implement mastery-based education through the Innovation In Education program.  The Department of Education is given a range of duties from the identification of barriers and potential solutions to developing an incubator process to support schools awarded an Innovation In Schools/Mastery-Based grant. The schools must meet the same requirements and accountability as other Innovation In Education schools.

HB 3089 would provide a transition to the county board of education level of the process for review and adoption of instructional resources required to be used in the schools under the jurisdiction of the county board.

HB 2702 was on 2nd reading today and was amended by Delegate Cowles (R-Morgan) and Delegate Summers (R-Taylor). HB 2707 would provide that excused absences for personal illness, when a family of member of student is ill.

Delegate Cowles amended it to add more flexibility and clarity for unintended consequences. It added nurse practitioner to the list of medical practitioners who could give medical documentation for the family member and changed family member to include not just the parent or guardian. His amendment also states that notification could be given within three days of returning.

Delegate Summers amended it by removing the notification of absences at three days, as there is notification at five days.

HB 2871 was moved out of Rules Committee. This bill eliminates the mandatory 80 percent of the employer, 20 percent employee cost share on PEIA active employee premiums and to instead set 80 percent as the maximum employer share and 20 percent as the minimum employee share.

Committee Meetings Today

Finance: 2 p.m. in 460M

Judiciary: 2 p.m. in 410M

Rules: 4:45 p.m. behind House Chamber

Committee Meetings Tomorrow

Finance: 9 a.m. in 460M

Judiciary: 9 a.m. in 410M

Gov. Org.: 9 a.m. in 215E

Education: 9:30 a.m. in 434M

The House is in recess until 5 p.m. tonight. 

Update:

The Rules Committee moved SB 347, HB 2763, HB 2794, HB 2799, HB 2804, HB 2805, HB 2850, HB 2878, HB 2897, HB 2941, and HB 3096 from the Special Calendar to the House Calendar. 

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