Blog – Page 217

Two Bills Reported from Senate Workforce

Senate Committee

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February 15, 2017

The Senate Workforce Committee reported SB 191 and SB 222 to the floor Wednesday with the recommendation to pass.

SB 191 would remove the requirment that programs be jointly administered by labor and management trustees in order to qualify for tax credits for apprenticeship training in construction trades.

Senator Glenn Jeffries (D-Putnam) suggested two amendments to the bill. The first, which would have added $2 to the applicable minimum wage for those in apprenticeship programs in order to attract individuals who want to learn trade, was rejected by the committee primarily for legal concerns.

The second, which would add a subsection to the bill requiring employers to run apprentices through the E-Verify system in order for them to qualify for the tax credits in the bill, was adopted. The committee approved reporting the amended version of the bill to the floor for passage.

SB 222 would disqualify an individual from receiving benefits for any week, or portion of a week, in which he or she left or lost his or her job as a result of a strike.

Local labor attorney Patrick Maroney said adoption of the bill would be an “intrusion by the state” that would “do more harm to both the company and employees” than good.

He added that the current statute should remain in place, as it has been “very, very good” at maintaining company-employee bargains for nearly 60 years.

However, the committee overall approved the bill to be reported to the floor with the recommendation to pass.

Senators Robert Beach (D-Monongalia) and Richard Ojeda (D-Logan) opposed the bill’s passage.

Bill Strengthening the Whistle-blower Law Passes in House

House Floor Session

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February 15, 2017

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Today, in the House of Delegates HB 2006 was passed. The bill increases the penalties for violating the Whistle-blower Law and authorizes the termination from employment for a violation, instead of the current allowance of a suspension not to exceed six months.

HB 2099 was read for the first time today. This bill defines the act of leaving the scene of a crash involving death or serious bodily injury as a felony. It also establishes the act of leaving the scene of a crash that does not proximately cause death or injury as a misdemeanor and defines bodily injury and serious bodily injury.

HB 2455 was introduced today. The bill would create a searchable online database containing past and recent budget and expenditure information creating and maintaining a searchable online budget database to easily access the details on how the state is spending their tax dollars and what performance results are achieved by those expenditures. The State Auditor and Legislative Auditor working in concert are authorized to establish any methods or procedures as necessary to accomplish the intent and goal of this article.

Committee Meetings Today

Finance: 2 p.m. in 406M

Sub-Committee Anti-Competitive Behavior: 2 p.m. in 215E

Judiciary: Continuing at 2:30 p.m. in 410M

Education: 2:30 p.m. in 434M

Gov. Org.: Continuing at 4 p.m. in 215E

Committee Meetings Tomorrow

Banking and Insurance: 10 a.m. in 215E

Senior Citizens Issues: 1 p.m. in 215E

Energy: 2 p.m. in 410M

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

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

Senate Passes Six Bills Today

Senate Floor Session

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February 15, 2017

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The Senate met today and passed six bills. The bills passed were SB 151, SB 169, SB 170, SB 171, SB 176, and SB 237.

Senate Bill 237 would repeal obsolete rules of the Department of Revenue.

Senate Bill 169, Senate Bill 170, Senate Bill 171 and Senate Bill 176 would repeal obsolete and unfunded programs. These programs have been moved to federal funding, were never funded or are no longer necessary. They repeal a state hemophilia program, programs of All-Inclusive Care for Elderly, an article concerning detection of tuberculosis, high blood pressure and diabetes, and an article providing assistance to Korea and Vietnam veterans exposed to certain chemical defoliants.

Senate Bill 151 would authorize the Department of Administration to promulgate the legislative rules.

There were 11 bills that were introduced today. Included were SB 319 and SB 326.

Senate Bill 319 would modify requirements for employing nurses in public schools.

Senate Bill 326 would require the Department of Defense family advocacy groups be notified about abuse or neglect of military member’s child.

The following committees meet today:

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

Agriculture at 2 p.m. in 208W.

Pensions at 2 p.m. in 451M.

Finance at 3 p.m. in 451M.

Judiciary at 3 p.m. in 208W.

Finance will also meet tomorrow at 9:30 a.m.

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

Senate Finance Hears from Supreme Court of Appeals

Senate Committee

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February 14, 2017

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The Senate Finance Committee conducted their first budget hearing Tuesday with Chief Justice Allen Loughry presenting from the Supreme Court of Appeals.

The Court is asking for $141 million for the 2018 fiscal year, as opposed to the $143 million they were provided during the last fiscal year.

This request accounts for only 1.2 percent of the entire state budget to fund the whole judicial branch for the entirety of the fiscal year.

Loughry suggested that the committee also look into reallocating a few areas in the Court’s budget that has caused issues for the branch; particularly, finding new sources of revenue for drug testing, having counties cover rent for family courts, among other issues.

He also said the Court would not be willing to cut court days to four days a week instead of five, as it would disable the Court’s ability to administer justice in as many cases as it does.

Senate Finance will meet again tomorrow.

State Superintendent Discusses Issues Facing Education in the State

Senate Committee

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February 14, 2017

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State Superintendent of Schools Dr. Michael Martirano outlined the goals and needs for the Department of Education on Tuesday during the 2018 fiscal year to the Senate Education Committee.

Martirano said the Department of Education has made many fiscal sacrifices over the past five to six years, which appear to correlate with a drop in enrollment.

After eliminating 80 employees from the Department of Education since June 2011, the state has seen a decrease in enrollment of nearly 9,000 students.

Not only has enrollment been declining, but West Virginia’s teachers remain some of the worst-paid in the nation. According to a 2015-2016 rating by the National Education Association, West Virginia is 46th in the nation for teacher salaries.

Martirano said he is grateful for Governor Justice’s decision to try and raise teachers’ salaries this fiscal year.

Martirano also highlighted the fact that there are 718 professional educator positions that are now vacant. He cited a study that has shown how good teachers’ salaries can fill up these vacancies and make the education system more competitive with other states.

When asked about his opinion on cutting RESAs, Martirano said he cannot issue a public statement until the State Board of Education makes their recommendation.

However, he did advise the committee to review such measures “very artfully,” as many specific services previously conducted by RESAs would have to still be performed for the state to move forward.

In total, the Department of Education is asking for $2.4 billion for the 2018 fiscal year.

The committee will continue to review their request.

Senate Judiciary Committee Report Three Bills

Senate Committee

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February 14, 2017

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The Senate Judiciary Committee met today to discuss three bills.

Senate Bill 116 which would modify a rule relating to law enforcement training and certification standards.

Senate Bill 247 would authorize access to the prosecuting attorney delegate and delivery of grand jury records for investigative purposes for the Legislative Commission on Special Investigations.

Senate Bill 248 would clarify composition and chairmanship of Commission on Special Investigations.

All three of the bills were reported to the Senate floor with a recommendation that they pass.

Senate Committee on Energy, Industry and Mining Met to Discuss Four Bills

Senate Committee

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February 14, 2017

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The Senate Energy, Industry and Mining Committee met today to discuss SB 105, SB 107, SB 108, and SB 109.

Senate Bill 105 would create alternate emission limitations during startup, shutdown and maintenance operations.

Senate Bill 107 would modify a rule relating to permits for construction and modification of stationary sources for prevention of significant deterioration of air quality.

Senate Bill 108 would modify a rule relating to standards of performance for new stationary sources.

Senate Bill 109 would modify a rule relating to the control of air pollution from hazardous waste treatment, storage and disposal facilities.

All four bills were sent back to the Senate floor with recommendation that they pass but first be committed to the committee on Judiciary.

Seven Bills Reported from Senate Health and Human Resources

Senate Committee

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February 14, 2017

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The Senate Committee on Health and Human Resources reported seven bills to the floor with the recommendation that all pass after being referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee.

The bills reported are as follows:

SB 118, which would authorize the DHHR to promulgate a legislative rule relating to expedited partner therapy.

SB 119, which would authorize the DHHR to promulgate a legislative rule relating to clinical laboratory technician and technologist licensure and certification.

SB 120, which would authorize the DHHR to promulgate a legislative rule relating to clandestine drug laboratory remediation.

SB 123, which would authorize the Health Care Authority to promulgate a legislative rule relating to exemption from the Certificate of Need.

SB 124, which would authorize the Health Care Authority to promulgate a legislative rule relating to the Rural Health Systems Grant Program.

SB 125, which would authorize the Health Care Authority to promulgate a legislative rule relating to the Hospital Assistance Grant Program.

SB 126, which would authorize the Health Care Authority to promulgate a legislative rule relating to the Certificate of Need.

No other business came before the committee.

House Political Subdivisions Committee discusses two bills

House Committee

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February 14, 2017

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Today, the political subdivisions committee met today to discuss HB 2034 and HB 2238.

HB 2034 would require that a county itemize and publish all activity related to budget stabilization funds in the county’s annual financial statements.

The bill was approved and is to be reported to the floor with recommendation that it pass, but first be referred to the committee on finance.

HB 2238 would authorize the Auditor’s Office to put into effect a legislative rule relating to Procedure for Local Levying Bodies to Apply for Permission to Extend Time to Meet as Levying Body.

The bill was approved by the committee and will be reported to the floor with recommendation that it do pass after being referred to the judiciary committee.

Agriculture Commissioner addresses Agriculture and Natural Resource Committee

House Committee

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February 14, 2017

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Agriculture Commissioner Kent Leonhardt spoke to the Agriculture and Natural Resource Committee this morning.

He talked about how there are new sciences and technologies available. He said we must “protect the old, but look towards the new.” He wants to re-align government, not grow it to help bring new technologies into the state.

Leonhardt discussed the Veterans to Agriculture Program. He gave examples of how beneficial this program is to the veterans and how our state needs to do more for it. He said they are requesting a budget of $250,000 for the program.

He stressed the critical need for veterinarians in the state. Right now we only have one state veterinarian and he said we need three. He said we need a state veterinarian station in Charleston.

Leonhardt stated that education is the important to agriculture. He said the future of agriculture lies with our children in agriculture programs, such as FFA. He’s heard from people all over the state that funding for FFA needs to be increased.

He said he’d like to see STEM become STEAM- Science, Technology, Engineering, Agriculture, and Mathematics. He’s heard many people want to make the “A” in STEAM mean Art, but he said Agriculture is Art. He said, there is “no reason Agriculture and Art can’t work closely together.” He gave examples of label creations and advertising.

The Commissioner also mentioned moving Forestry to the Department of Agriculture.