Tuesday, May 27, 2025
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Senate Judiciary Considers Two Bills and a Committee Substitute

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The Senate Judiciary Committee has referred two bills and one amended committee substitute to the full Senate after meeting 3 p.m. Monday with the recommendation for passage.

The bills are SB 230 and SB 233, and the committee substitute is for SB 127.

SB 230 relates to West Virginia officials carrying concealed firearms nationwide.

SB 233 excludes from protection oral communications uttered in child care centers under the Wiretapping and Electronic Surveillance Act.

The committee substitute for SB 127 is a bundle of four bills that authorizes the Department of Revenue to promulgate legislative rules. The bundle was amended by Senator Robert Beach (D-Monongalia) and approved by the committee.

Following completion of the agenda, Senator Mike Romano (D-Harrison) made a motion for all witnesses to be sworn in before testifying to the committee in future meetings. The motion was approved after it was made clear that counsels were not included in the requirment to be sworn in.

The meeting was then adjourned.

House Education Committee Hears from State Board of Education

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The House Education Committee met today to hear a Department Overview and Budget Presentation by the West Virginia Department of Education. 

Michael Martirano, the State Superintendent of Schools, addressed the committee. He spoke about the Board of Education. He stated the mission, which is,  “The West Virginia Board of Education establishes policies and rules to assure implementation of West Virginia’s Education goals and to ensure the general supervision, oversight and monitoring of a thorough and efficient educational system.”

He said he is focused on improving education for all students. He believes in equity. Equity is not equality. Students have different needs and they should be met.

He announced that 70 of the 116 high schools in West Virginia have a 90 percent or higher graduation rate. He stated that under the federal government any school with a 60 percent or less will have to evaluated and he’s proud to announce that no high school in West Virginia has a graduation rate that low. 

He stressed the importance of the getting teachers in the state. There are 718 teacher vacancies; 407 are filled with substitute teachers on permit, 128 are filled with fully educated substitute teachers, 79 certified teachers by not in their field, 98 retired educators, and six are not filled at all. 

There are 19,000 teachers in the state 3,000 are special educators. Of that 3,000, there are 239 vacancies. Of the other 16,000 teachers 4,000 are special education certified. 

He is happy to hear the Governor wants to increase teacher pay because the average pay for a teacher in West Virginia is $46,000; ranked 44 in the nation. He said West Virginia sticks out on the East Coast because all surrounding states pay teachers a higher salary. Maryland’s starting salary is more than West Virginia’s average teacher salary after 15 years. 

The Education Budget is $2.4 billion; about 97 to 98 percent goes directly to the counties. 

Other presenters included Terry Harless, Chief Financial Officer, and Amy Willard. 

Bill to Eliminate Courtesy Patrol Heads to House Finance Committee

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The Roads and Transportation Committee met today and discussed HB 2007. 

HB 2007 would eliminate the courtesy patrol programs operated by the Division of Highways and the Parkways Authority. 

Originally, the funding from these programs was to be transferred into the general revenue, but the committee amended it to send the funds into the State Road Fund. 

This isn’t the first time discussion on a bill of this nature has come up. Delegate Jim Butler mentioned that he proposed a similar bill a few years back. Other delegates remembered speaking to a similar bill last session. 

Delegate Ed Evans discussed how beneficial the courtesy patrol is to the state. He said the officers are the “primary eyes and ears on the road for Amber Alert.” He pointed out that they’ve administered CPR to people and saved lives.

Delegate Boggs opposed the bill. He said that on his way to Charleston from Braxton County there were 11 vehicles on the side of I-79 and six of those vehicles had people in them; the others had bags over the window. The courtesy patrol provides to those who are stranded. 

Delegate Jim Butler supported the bill, stating that when he did his research, years ago, it cost $300 per stop by the courtesy patrol. He stated that the program was “not a very wise use of taxpayers’ money.”

Delegate Howe rose in support of the bill. He stated that 73% of people have roadside assistance insurance. If this program cost $4 million, we are spending money and stopping $3 million from coming into the state from insurance companies. He said looking at the deficient; it’s important to remember “4 million here, 4 million there, it all adds up.”

Delegate Hamrick looked up his GEICO insurance bill and found that he pays a little over $6 every six months for roadside assistance. He supported the bill.

 

The bill passed through the Roads and Transportation Committee with the recommendation it be sent to the floor after being sent to the Finance Committee. 

Senate Natural Resources Committee Reports Five Bills Today

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The Senate Natural Resources Committee met today at 1 p.m. to discuss five bills.

Senate Bill 133 would relate to revocation of hunting and fishing licenses.

Senate Bill 134 would repeal the point system for revocation of hunting and fishing licenses.

Senate Bill 135 would adjust a rule relating to special waterfowl hunting.

Senate Bill 136 would adjust a rule relating to commercial sale of wildlife by updating language and definitions. 

Senate Bill 137 would revise the language of rules relating to miscellaneous permits and licenses.

 

All of the bills were reported to the Senate with a recommendation to pass but to first be committed to the Judiciary committee. 

Seven Bills Advance to Second Reading Today in Senate

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The Senate met today to progress seven bills from first reading to second reading and to introduce 16 new bills.

The bills on first reading today were SB 151, SB 176, SB 169, SB 170, SB 171, SB 174 and SB 237.

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

Senate Bill 169, Senate Bill 170 and Senate Bill 171 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, and an article providing assistance to Korea and Vietnam veterans exposed to certain chemical defoliants.

Senate Bill 174 would exempt transportation of household goods from PSC jurisdiction. 

Senate Resolution 12 was adopted which designated today as Morgan County Day at the legislature.

The following committees meet today:

Natural Resources at 1 p.m. in 451M.

Judiciary at 3 p.m. in 208W.

Joint Finance at 3 p.m. in the House Chamber.

The committee on Transportation and Infrastructure meets tomorrow at 10 a.m. in 451M.

 

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

HB 2006 Read for the first time

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Today, the House convened at 11 a.m. HB 2006 was read for the first time to the House. The Committee Substitute of the bill passed through the Judiciary Committee on Friday. 

HB 2006 would increase the penalties for violating the Whistle-blower Law. The bill additionally authorizes the termination from employment for a violation, instead of the current allowance of a suspension not to exceed six months. 

Bills introduced today included HB 2367, HB 2401, and 2403.

HB 2367 would establish a new crime of organized retail crime, establishing penalties and providing for forfeiture of property or other asset derived from organized retail crime. 

HB 2401 would increase teacher’s salaries in order to be competitive with other states.

HB 2403 would permit county boards of education to accumulate instructional days and use them when needed in a later instructional term when inclement weather and emergencies prevent the otherwise full instructional term from being completed. The bill establishes an instructional day to be three hundred thirty minutes. 

Committee Meetings Today

Judiciary: 12:45 p.m. in 410M

Roads and Transportation: 1 p.m. in Gov. Org- 215E

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

Finance: 2 p.m. in House Finance- 410M

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

Joint Finance and Joint Pension and Retirement: 3 p.m. in Chamber

Committe Meetings Tomorrow

Industry and Labor: 9 a.m. in 215E

Political Subdivisons: 1 p.m. in 434M

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

There will be a budget presentation at 4 p.m. in the House Chamber.

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

 

Senate President Introduces Tax Reform “Vision”

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Senate President Mitch Carmichael (R-Jackson) discussed his goals with the Senate Committee on Tax Reform 1 p.m. Friday.

President Carmichael’s “vision” is a complete elimination of the income tax in the state of West Virginia. He said other growing states have made this change from a focus on income tax to a focus on consumer sales tax instead.

In his own experience, Carmichael said he has found that citizens are fond of the suggestion as well, since “the more people look at it, the more people like it.”

The president said the shift in revenue would also help to alleviate many future tax reform problems.

As for the committee’s role, Carmichael said he believes they are “the right team” for turning his ideas into a reality.

“I fundamentally believe that this is the most important committee of this session,” Carmichael said. “This committee is about transforming the state.”

Senator Robert Karnes (R-Upshur), Chair, said the committe will do their best to achieve this goal in a timely manner by maintaining a bipartisan environment in committee proceedings.

Karnes also announced that the committee will be working with West Virginia University and Marshall University to collect and evaluate data for their tax reform measures.

The next meeting date for the Senate Committee on Tax Reform has yet to be determined.

House Judiciary Met Today

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Today, the House Judiciary Committee met and discussed HB 2006-committee substitute and HB 2205.

The Committee Substitute of HB 2006 was approved in the committee to go to the House floor. HB 2006 would increase the penalties for violating the Whistle-blower Law. The bill additionally authorizes the termination from employment for a violation, instead of the current allowance of a suspension not to exceed six months. 

HB 2205 would exempt hearing oil used for residential purposes from the Motor Fuel Excise Tax. It was amended today to include propane used for the purposes of home heating. It was approved and will be sent to the Finance Committee. 

Day Three in the House

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Today, 22 new bills were introduced to the House of Delegates. Among these bills were HB2329 and HB2339. 

HB2329 would make the production, manufacture, or possession of fentanyl unlawful. 

HB2339 would create the Intrastate Coal and Use Act. It establishes that the environmental regulation of coal and certain coal products mined and used within the state are exclusively regulated by the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection. This bill also states the legislative authority and defines terms. 

Committee Meetings Monday, February 13th

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

Roads and Transportation: 1 p.m. in Gov. Org- 215E

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

Finance: 2 p.m. in House Finance- 410M

Rules: 2 p.m. in Gov. Org.- 215E

Joint Finance and Joint Pension and Retirement: 3 p.m. in Chamber

The House is adjourned until 11 a.m. Monday, February 13.

Senate Introduces 21 New Bills

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The Senate met today briefly to introduce 21 new bills. These bills included SB 241 and SB 246.

Senate Bill 241 would create the Volunteer Fire and Rescue Act of 2017.

Senate Bill 246 would implement water quality standards of drinking water.

Senate Resolution 11 was adopted today. This designated February 10, 2017 as Dental Hygienists Day.

The Select Committee on Tax Reform will beet today at 1 p.m. in 451M.

 

The Senate is adjourned until Monday the 13th at 11 a.m. 

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