Blog – Page 209

House Small Business Committee Refers Two Bills

House Committee

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March 2, 2017

The House Small Business Entrepreneurship and Economic Development Committee met today and referred two bills. the bills were HB 2375 and HB 2548.

House Bill 2375 would establish a Small Business Empowerment and Economic Expansion Program providing tax relief to newly-established small businesses. This bill was amended to prevent people from dismantling their business and then reapplying for the grant with a new similar business to the one that was dismantled. This halts people from abusing the tax program.

The bill was referred to the Committee on Finance with the recommendation that it pass.

House Bill 2548 would relate to the use of outside speakers by persons licensed to manufacture, sale, possess for sale, transport or distribute non-intoxicating beer.

The bill was referred to the Committee on Judiciary with the recommendation that it pass but with one committee member voting nay.

Senate Judiciary Reports Four Bills

Senate Committee

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March 1, 2017

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

HB 2318 would strengthen and establish criminal offenses relating to human trafficking.

An identical bill was passed in the House last year, but did not make it to the Senate for a vote in time for the midnight deadline of session.

The human trafficking task force would be funded by grants.

SB 442 would modify definitions of “assault” and “battery,” and “domestic assault” and “domestic battery” to conform with federal laws relating to firearms possession criminal offenses.

SB 456 would correct a technical error in an original clause related to standards for termination of parental rights in child abuse and neglect cases.

SB 239 would protect an employee’s wages or salaries from being withheld or diverted for political activities without the express, written authorization of the employee.

The bill was first approved in the Senate Workforce Committee.

SB 411 was taken off the agenda for today.

House Gov. Org. Discusses Bills relating to Cosmetology

House Committee

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March 1, 2017

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Today in House Gov. Org. discussed HB 2961, HB 2725, and SB 116.

HB 2961 would allow persons qualified by training to be a barber and a cosmetologist to elect to practice solely as a barber and maintain licensure by taking continuing education solely in subjects related to barbering.

HB 2725 would prevent the Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists from regulating the use of hair, nail, skin, and other beauty products that are commonly available as retail, consumer products.

SB 116 would allow he Governor’s Committee on Crime, Delinquency and Corrections to issue a legislative rule relating to Law-Enforcement Training and Certification Standards.

Senate Agriculture and Rural Development Committee Refers SB 27

Senate Committee

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March 1, 2017

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The Senate Agriculture and Rural Development Committee met today and referred Senate Bill 27 to the Committee on Health and Human Resources.

Senate Bill 27 would permit the sale of home-based, micro-processed foods at farmers markets. One of the presenters said that this bill would help farmers markets to continue to be small business incubators and help give rural communities access to farm fresh foods.

Senator Ojeda (D-Logan) wanted to be sure it was part of the committee substitute of the bill was that one must get certified in a canning class in order to be allowed to sell their micro-processed foods. Council assured the committee this was the case.

Senator Clements (R-Wetzel) asked how many farmers take advantage of this and what kind of products would they be. Council told him that at least 10 different farmers were interested however once the bill is passed marketing will ensue. The main products would be fruits, veggies, salsas and sauces.

Senator Miller (D-Greenbrier) questioned about what recall plans that the bill had in place for those home-based businesses and was assured they would be stated in the rules.

The bill was amended by Senator Rucker (R-Jefferson) to alter some of the language of the bill, and was amended by Senator Maynard (R-Wayne) to allow commercial kitchens to also produce these home based foods.

The bill was referred to the Committee on Health and Human Resources with the recommendation that it pass.

Senate Bill 283 was also discussed. SB 283 would transfers the production of food inspection from the Department of Health and Human Resources to the Department of Agriculture.

Bill to allow overlapping mixing zones passes in House

House Floor Session

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March 1, 2017

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Today, in the House of Delegates, Committee Substitute for HB 2506 passed. Committee Substitute for HB 2420 was tabled due to a similar bill, SB 231 which will be on 3rd reading in the House tomorrow.

Committee Substitute for HB 2506 allows permit limits to be calculated using design flows recommended by the United States Environmental Protection Act for human health; specifically, the use of the harmonic mean flow. It also allows for mixing zone overlapping while retaining the application of water quality criteria that are developed for protection of drinking water. The bill will be sent to the Senate for further consideration.

Bills on second reading included SB 231 and HB 2646.

SB 231 would provide that the State Board of Education may delegate its Medicaid provider status and subsequent reimbursement to regional education service agencies or county boards subject to the county board determining that there is a net benefit and no detraction from the educational program of the county.

Committee Substitute for HB 2646 would terminate the Women’s Commission and discontine its functions.

Committee Meetings Today

Veterans’ Affairs and Homeland Security: 15 min after session adjourned in 434M

Finance: 2:30 p.m. in 460M

Judiciary: 2:45 p.m. in 410M

Education: 2:45 p.m. in 434M

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

Committee Meetings Tomorrow

Small Business, Entrepreneurship and Economic Development: 9 a.m. in 434M

Banking and Insurance: 10 a.m. in 410M

Senior Issues: 1 p.m. in 215E

Energy: 2 p.m. in 410M

Health and Human Resources: 2 p.m. in 215E

Committee on Prevention and Treatment of Substance Abuse: 3:30 p.m. in 215E

Committee Meetings on Friday

Sub-Committee on K-12: 9 a.m. in 434M

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

Tax Exemptions for Aircraft Maintenance Approved in Senate Economic Development

Senate Committee

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March 1, 2017

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The Senate Committee on Economic Development has approved a bill that would provide tax exemptions for certain services and property sold for the repair, remodeling and maintenance of aircraft operated under a fractional ownership program.

The bill, SB 61, would cause a $1,500 tax impact to the state during fiscal year 2018, with no expenses in fiscal years thereafter.

Lead sponsor for the bill, Senator Mike Romano (D-Harrison) said the bill would help to diversify the state’s economy and provide job opportunities in growing north-central airports.

Romano said the bill would also “get us in line with the rest of the country,” since all other states have provisions for the proposed tax exemptions.

Chris Hall of the West Virginia Airspace Alliance spoke in support of the opportunities presented by the bill.

“This is an important jobs bill,” Hall said, “And it’s at a minimum cost to the state.”

Senator Chandler Swope (R-Mercer) also voiced his support for the bill, since he said he is a pilot himself who understands the potential of the bill for the state.

An identical bill passed the Senate 34-0 last year but was voted down in the House.

The bill will be referred to Senate Finance once reported to the floor.

The Senate Passed Nine Bills Today to the House

Senate Floor Session

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March 1, 2017

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The Senate met today and passed nine bills. These bills were SB 5, SB 9, SB 180, SB 225, SB 261, SB 337, SB 345, SB 346, and SB 347.

Senate Bill 5 would disqualify CDL for DUI conviction in certain cases.

Senate Bill 9 would regulate unmanned aircraft systems.

Senate Bill 180 would relate to PSC jurisdiction over certain telephone company and internet services.

Senate Bill 225 would allow magistrates to conduct proceedings for temporary emergency protective order dealing with temporary custody by family court.

Senate Bill 261 would relate to increasing salary or wages of judgement debtor.

Senate Bill 337 would allow hiring correctional officers without regard to placement on the correctional officer register.

Senate Bill 345 would allow hunting and trapping on private property Sundays in the regular hunting season.

Senate Bill 346 would relate generally to jurisdiction of PSC over motor carriers.

Senate Bill 347 would relate to the modernization of Physician Assistant Practice Act.

Senate Bills 485-494 were introduced.

Senate Resolution 26 was adopted recognizing Holly Boggs on winning the 2016 Earle S. Dillard Insurance Agent of the Year Award.

Senate Resolution 27 was also adopted designating March 1, 2017 as Cancer Survivorship Day in West Virginia.

The following committees meet today:

Finance at 3 p.m. in 451M and tomorrow at 9:30 a.m.

Judiciary at 3 p.m. in 208W.

Agriculture at 2 p.m. in 208W.

Pensions at 2 p.m. in 451M.

Economic Development at 1:15 p.m. in 208W.

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

House Finance Committee Meets Briefly to Report Two Bills

House Committee

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March 1, 2017

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This morning the House Finance Committee met very briefly to report two bills that update language in some tax acts. The Bills were HB 2590 and HB 2594.

House Bill 2590 would update the meaning of federal taxable income and certain other terms used in the West Virginia Corporation Net Income Tax Act.

House Bill 2594 would update the meaning of federal adjusted gross income and certain other terms used in the West Virginia Personal Income Tax Act.

The House Finance Committee will meet again today following a 3 p.m. budget hearing.

Senate Judiciary Approves Four Bills

Senate Committee

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February 28, 2017

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

SB 224 would repeal the requirement for an employer’s bond for wages and benefits for certain designated employers and related requirements.

Senators differed over whether the passage of the bill would help small construction and mineral industry businesses to start up without having to establish a wage bond or if it would simply deprive workers of better wage security.

None of the states bordering West Virginia require wage bonds from employers in construction and mineral industries.

David Mullins from the Division of Labor was present to answer questions from the committee. He said the Division currently holds 4,435 wage bonds to protect those workers should their companies go bankrupt.

SB 429 would allow the Division of Corrections to monitor inmate electronic communications.

SB 436 would allow investigators from the Attorney General’s office to carry firearms in the course of their official duties under certain circumstances.

SB 445 would amend the definition of an “abused child” to include a child conceived as a result of an act of sexual assault.

The committee will meet again tomorrow at 3 p.m.

House Health passes two bills, rejects one, and lays over another

House Committee

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February 28, 2017

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House Committee on Health and Human Resources passed two bills, rejected one, and laid over another.

HB 2520 would prohibit the use of tanning devices by a person under the age of 18. Currently, law states that persons 14 to 17 can use a tanning device with parental consent. This law would replace that law and state no one under the age of 18 shall use a tanning device. According to the dermatologist who presented, the use of these devices is directly correlated to the development of skin cancers.

HB 2653 would extend the multistate real-time tracking system to June 30, 2023.

HB 2624 was rejected; it would have eliminated the Board of Sanitation.

HB 2132 was laid over until a future meeting; it would ensure that all able bodied adults without dependents are working, or in a work program, for a minimum of 20 hours per week for continued eligibility for SNAP benefits. Currently, there is a nine county pilot program doing this. The committee voted to lay the bill over until data on the pilot program could be provided.