Blog – Page 214

Senate Passes Three Bills and Discusses Budget

Senate Floor Session

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February 22, 2017

Today the Senate met and passed three bills and also discussed the budget. The bills that were passed and sent on to the house were SB 188, SB 222, and SB 242.

Senate Bill 188 would correct the definition of “telehealth” in medication-assisted treatment programs.

Senate Bill 222 would relate to disqualification for unemployment benefits. Senator Trump (R-Morgan) said this bill makes it clear that those who are on strike cannot receive unemployment benefits. Other senators had concerns that this bill would make it harder for those who were locked out of their places of employment and who couldn’t work because of it to get unemployment benefits. The bill passed with a vote of 22 yeas and 11 nays.

Senate Bill 242 would relate to school calendars.

Senate bills 387-404 were introduced today.

Senate Resolution 18 was adopted which would designate the week of March 5th-11th, 2017 as MS Awareness Week. Senator Ojeda (D-Logan) said that he supported the resolution and reminded the Senate of his proposed bill to legalize medical marijuana and how much it could help those who suffer from MS.

Bills on second reading were SB 182 which had an amendment that was adopted, SB 240, and SB 330 which will lie over one day.

Many senators discussed their concerns over Governor Justice’s proposed budget bill. After encouragement of bipartisanship in this matter by both parties, Senator Palumbo (D-Kanawha) said that the Senate needs to “shut up and do our jobs” in regard to the budget.

The following committees are meeting:

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

Economic Development at 1:20 p.m. in 208W.

Agriculture at 2 p.m. in 208W.

Pensions at 2 p.m. in 451M.

Judiciary at 3 p.m. in 208W.

Workforce at 10 a.m. tomorrow in 208W.

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

Senate Energy Considers Eliminating Tax Credit for Wind Power

Senate Committee

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February 21, 2017

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The Senate Committee on Energy, Industry and Mining has postponed making a decision on whether or not to approve of a bill that would repeal tax credits for wind power projects in the state.

The bill, SB 16, would eliminate a section of the Code that was added in 2001.

The fiscal note for the bill states that the elimination of this section would be of no cost to the state government and would include an annual increase of $8 million annually in revenue, starting in fiscal year 2019.

Some senators raised concerns toward the constitutionality of the bill, since they believed the bill could violate the protection of private property by eliminating a tax credit those properties might rely on.

Staff counsel said the bill would most likely not violate the state constitution, since a tax credit would affect the money of an individual, not the property directly.

Judy Rodd of Friends of Blackwater spoke in support of the bill. She said the wind power projects around the state have brought certain liabilities to the surrounding communities.

Specifically, Rodd said many people have confronted wind power companies about the noise produced by the wind turbines, the decline in property value they can cause, and the danger they pose to birds in the state.

Rodd also mentioned that eliminating the tax credit could help with the budget gap by giving the state $8 million more annually.

“This would be a good place to look,” Rodd said.

Bruce Burcat spoke on behalf of the Mid-Atlantic Renewable Energy Coalition in opposition to the bill and said it would be “a significant detriment to [wind power] industry in West Virginia.”

Burcat said the wind turbines have affected the state in a positive way to create clean energy solutions and provide jobs. He said repealing the tax credit would create a poor business environment for companies wishing to bring wind power projects to the state.

Currently, Burcat said states such as Ohio and Pennsylvania offer “favorable” tax credits for wind power projects.

The committee also moved consideration of bills SB 42 and SB 43 to the next meeting.

Senate Education Approve Medicaid Related Bill, Postpone ACT Testing Bill

Senate Committee

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February 21, 2017

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The Senate Education Committee has approved a bill relating to the State Board of Education and Medicaid-elligible children to be reported to the Senate floor.

The bill, SB 231, would allow the State Board of Education to delegate its Medicaid provider status and subsequent reimbursement to regional educational service agencies (RESAs) 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.

SB 18 was appropriated to a sub-committee today after decision on the bill was postponed during the last Senate Education meeting Thursday, Feb. 16.

The bill would require ACT and ACT Aspire to be used as the official comprehensive statewide student assessment.

A subcommittee consisting of Senators Patricia Rucker (R-Jefferson), Robert Plymale (D-Wayne) and Charles Trump (R-Morgan) will further research and discuss the bill for the next committee meeting.

The committee will next meet Thursday, Feb. 23 at a time yet to be determined.

Committee on Senate Government Organization Reports Three Bills

Senate Committee

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February 21, 2017

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Today the Senate Committee on Government Organization met and reported three bills to the Committee on Judiciary with recommendation that they pass. The bills were SB 204, SB 349, and SB 337.

Senate Bill 204 would require people who are appointed to fill a vacancy by the Governor to have the same qualifications for the vacated office and receive the same compensation and expenses.

Senate Bill 349 would repeal outdated code related to the Division of Corrections.

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

Health and Human Resources Committee Reports Two Bills to Judiciary Committee

Senate Committee

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February 21, 2017

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Today the Health and Human Resources Committee met and reported two bills to the Judiciary Committee with recommendation that they pass as amended. The bills were SB 121 and SB 122.

Senate Bill 121 would alter a rule from the Department of Health and Human Resources to medication-assisted opioid treatment programs. The amendments added on by council are technical to make sure the rule gets implemented properly.

Senate Bill 122 would be a new rule from the DHHR and would relate to medication-assisted treatment and office based medication-assisted treatment. This rule was also amended by council and recommended that it pass.

Six bills advance to Third reading and three advance to Second reading

House Floor Session

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February 21, 2017

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Today in the House of Delegate six bills were read a second time today and advanced to third reading.

HB 2167 would establish a Silver Alert program for senior citizens and it would set criteria for when State Police can activate the Silver Alert.

HB 2300 would regulate the use of step therapy protocols by providing a simple and quick process for exceptions to the protocols that the health care provider deems not in the best interest of the patient.

HB 2301 would permit individuals to enter into agreements for direct primary care with an individual or other legal entity authorized to provide primary care services, outside of an insurance plan or outside of the Medicaid or Medicare program and pay for the care.

HB 2347 would allow schools licensed to provide barber, cosmetology and related training to hold theory classes and clinical classes at different locations and prohibits schools from being established in salons, spas, and similar locations.

HB 2348 would eliminate any requirement that class hours of students be consecutive when studying professions regulated by the Board of Barbers and Cosmetologist.

HB 2431 would allow influenza immunizations to be offered to patients and residents of specified facilities on a voluntary basis based upon recommendation of the Center for Disease Control.

Three bills were read for the first time and advanced on to second reading.

HB 2404 would keep persons who are convicted of certain criminal offenses from acquiring property from their victims through joint tenancy or inheritance. The bill also creates exceptions.

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

HB 2465 would modify the requirements that allow a child to witness to testify by closed circuit television.

Committee Meetings Today

Political Subdivisions: 1 p.m. in 215E

Health: 2 p.m. in 215E

Judiciary Sub-Committee on HB 2544: 3 p.m. in 410M

Select Committee on Prevention and Treatment: 3:30 p.m. in 215E

Committee Meetings Tomorrow

Finance: 9 a.m. in 460M

Education: 9 a.m. in 434M

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

Judiciary: 9:30 a.m. in 410M

Veterans Affairs and Homeland Security: 1 p.m. in 434M

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

Six bills advance to Third reading and three advance to Second reading

House Floor Session