Blog – Page 228

House Tackles Drugs in Session Part Two

House Floor Session

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March 1, 2016

The House of Delegates reconvened today at 12:30 p.m. after a 30 minute recess.

At their second meeting, they continued with the calendar for the day starting with House Bill 4314, which would prohibit the sale of powdered or crystalline alcohol. In addition, the House passed 12 other bills that were on third reading including several bills relating to the drug concerns currently facing West Virginia.

The following bills were passed during the second meeting of the House: House Bills 4428, 4466, 4480, 4500, 4507, 4517, 4542, 4561, 4566, 4575, 4577 and 4578. Those relating specifically to drug concerns in the state are House Bills 4480, 4576, 4577 and 4578.

House Bill 4438 was laid over on third reading and House Bill 4576 was tabled.

The House will recess until 4:30 p.m. and continue with the calendar. There 16 bills left on third reading.

House Meets for Early Session as Crossover Day Draws Near

House Floor Session

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March 1, 2016

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The House of Delegates met this morning at 9 a.m.

With crossover day looming just around the corner, the House is working to push as many House Bills as possible today and tomorrow.

The first portion of the floor session lasted from 9 to 12 and covered the first 12 of 44 bills on third reading. Among them were Senate Bill 558, Senate Bill 597, House Bill 2665, House Bill 2849, House Bill 2963 and House Bill 4176. The bill would allow regional jails and correctional facilities to participate in a pilot drug treatment program and would allow these facilities to provide the opportunity for addiction treatment and counseling to those that are identified as high-risk for opioid addiction.

Additionally they passed House Bills 4183, 4225, 4248, 4271, 4307 and 4240, the Uniform Controlled Substances Act. This bill would create a mandatory minimum for repeat drug trafficking offenders, also referred to as three strikes and you are out. Offenders that fall under this act would have to have been convicted of a drug offense at least twice previously and be in possession of a certain amount of drugs at the time of arrest.

The House has recessed until 12:30 p.m.

House Passes Senate Bill 10

House Floor Session

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February 29, 2016

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The House of Delegates met today at 11 a.m.

The House passed numerous bills today as the Delegates continue working diligently as session comes to an end. Senate Bill 10 passed which would create Unborn Child Protection from Dismemberment Abortion Act.

House Bill 2826 also passed in the house today which would work to require the Commissioner of the Division of Highways to approve points of access to and from state highways to real property used or to be used for commercial, industrial or mercantile purposes; “Sarah Nott’s Law.”

Among other bills passed were: House Bill 4279, 4317, 4234 and 4346. House Bill 4352 also passed which would relate to the selling of certain state owned health care facilities by the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Resources.

House Bill 4448, 4502 and 4706 passed in the House today. House Bill 4463 was another bill passed which would permit the practice of telemedicine. Another bill that was passed by the House was House Bill 4505 which would allow power ball winners to remain anonymous.

There were 43 bills advanced to third reading and 20 bills sent to second reading.

The following committees will meet this evening:

Judiciary: 6 p.m.

Education: 6:15 p.m.

The following committees will meet tomorrow prior to session:

Substance Abuse: 8 a.m.

Health and Human Resources: 8:30 a.m.

Rules: 8:45 a.m.

The House will reconvene tomorrow at 9 a.m.

Dismemberment Abortion Act Completes Legislation

Senate Floor Session

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February 29, 2016

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Today the Senate held a session at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Senate Bill 10, creating the Unborn Child Protection from Dismemberment Abortion Act was passed in the House of Delegates with a title amendment. The Senate concurred and the bill completed legislative action. It now awaits the Governor’s final approval.

Two House Bills passed in the Senate and have also completed legislation. House Bill 2852 relates to legalizing and regulating the sale and use of fireworks, the allocation of sales tax proceeds to special funds, and the modification of criminal penalties. The House of Delegates will need to concur with the Senate amendment for the title on this bill in order for it to complete legislation. House Bill 4366 provides the payment to certain claimants who provided commodities and/or services to the state, but were not paid due to the agency reaching budget limit. This bill awaits the Governor’s approval.

Among those bills passed on third reading was Senate Bill 287. The purpose of this bill is to create the West Virginia Safer Workplaces Act, which will permit employers to perform tests for drugs and alcohol on employees and prospective employees. Also passed, Senate Bill 303, provides that all hunting and fishing licenses are valid for one year from the date issued, rather than the last day of the calendar year in which they were issued. These two, in addition to Senate Bills 47, 344, 384, 399, 435, 594, 618, 626 and 637, will be sent to the House of Delegates for further consideration.

Senate Bill 596, which would permit natural gas companies to enter upon real property, and Senate Bill 700, which would authorize Berkeley County Council to own or operate a drug treatment or rehabilitation facility, were both rejected by the Senate on the third reading with an 11-23 Y/N vote.

Senate Bills 12, 545, 641, 670 and 691, in addition to House Bill 4228, were read for the second time and advanced to the third reading.

The following committees met today:

The Committee on Finance: 3:35 p.m. in 451M

The following committees will meet tomorrow before session:

The Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: 10 a.m. in 451M

The Senate will reconvene tomorrow at 11 a.m.

Senate Meets to Accept Committee Reports

Senate Floor Session

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February 28, 2016

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Senators briefly met on the floor today to receive committee reports. Today, the 47th day of the 2016 Regular Session, is the last day to receive committee reports in order to ensure three seperate days readings on the floor, according to the 2016 Legislative Calendar.

All bills on third, second and first readings on the Senate Calendar were laid over and retain their place on the calendar for the next floor session.

The Senate Judciary Committee continues it’s previously scheduled meeting following the floor session.

The Senate stands adjourned until 11:00 a.m., Monday, February 29th.

Update – The Senate Judiciary Committee meeting for today has recessed during discussion of Senate Bill 646 and will reconvene tomorrow at 9 a.m. in 208W.

House Meets for Saturday Session

House Floor Session

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February 27, 2016

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The House of Delegates met today at noon.

During this Saturday session the House of Delegates had plenty to discuss with 24 bills on third reading.

All 24 bills were passed the house including: House Bills 2110, 2205, 2801, 2960, 4237, 4299, 4315, 4321, 4330, 4334 (clarifying the requirements for a license to practice as an advanced practice registered nurse and expanding prescriptive authority), 4339, 4380, 4411, 4461, 4554, 4587, 4607, 4658, 4725, 4727, 4730, 4731 (requires a comprehensive drug awareness and prevention program in all public schools), 4732 and 4733.

Twelve bills advanced to third reading including Senate Bill 10, the Unborn Child Protection from Dismemberment Abortion Act.

Thirty-four bills advanced to second reading.

The following committees will meet Monday prior to session:

Judiciary: 9 a.m.

Finance: 10 a.m.

Rules: 10:45 a.m.

The House will reconvene Monday morning at 11 a.m.

Senate Passes Fourteen Bills During Saturday Session

Senate Floor Session

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February 27, 2016

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The Senate held a session starting at 11 a.m. today.

A majority of bills read for the third time were passed. Senate Bills 116, 411, 421, 455, 461, 468, 542, 578, 595, 619, 627 and 634 were passed, along with House Bills 2444 and 4163. Senate Bill 411 creates the Second Chance for Employment Act, although this will prohibit the expungement of certain felony convictions, including those causing serious injury, involving deadly weapons, certain assaults and batteries cases and domestic violence or sexual offenses. Senate Bills 344 and 618 were laid over one day on the third reading and will retain their place on the calendar.

There were equally as many bills on second reading today. Senate Bills 47, 287, 303, 384, 399, 435, 594, 596, 626, 637 and 700 were advanced to third reading, along with House Bills 2852 and 4366. Senate Bill 700 would authorize the Berkely County Council to own and operate a drug treatment or drug rehabilitation facility. The Legislature finds that there is an urgent need for drug treatment and drug recovery programs and facilities in the state of West Virginia. Senate Bills 641 and 670, along with Senate Joint Resolution 1, were laid over one day on second reading and will retain their place on the calendar.

There were four bills that were advanced from first reading to second reading.

The Senate will reconvene tomorrow evening at 5 p.m.

The following committees will meet today:

Judiciary: 3:30 p.m. in 208W

Government Organization: 2 p.m. in 208W

The following committees will meet tomorrow:

Judiciary: 3p.m. 208W

Common Core Passes in House

House Floor Session

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February 26, 2016

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The House of Delegates met today at 11 a.m.

Many bills were considered and passed through the House today. House Bill 2494 was one bill that passed which would create a provisional plea process in criminal cases. Another bill that passed, House Bill 4009, is also known as Letting Our Counties Act Locally.

After debate and consideration, House Bill 4014 passed in the House. This bill would prevent the State Board of Education from implementing common core academic standards and assessments with a vote of 73-20.

House Bill 4201, House Bill 4351, House Bill 4358 and House Bill 4433 also passed in the house today. House Bill 4487 also passed which relates to retirement systems.

House Bill 4519 was among the list of bills that passed. This bill would allow certain municipalities to elect to participate in the West Virginia Municipal Police Officers and Firefighters Retirement System.

Other bills that passed today were: House Bill 4558, 4612, 4636 and 4652.

There were 23 bills advanced to third reading and 11 bills sent to second reading.

The following committees will meet today:

Finance: 4 p.m.

Education: 4 pm.

Judiciary: 6:10 p.m.

The following committees will meet tomorrow prior to session:

Finance: 9 a.m.

Judiciary: 9:30 a.m.

Gov. Org.: 10 a.m.

Education: 10 a.m.

The House will reconvene tomorrow at noon.

Senate Honors Red Dawson on Marshall University Day

Senate Floor Session

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February 26, 2016

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The Senate convened this morning at 11 a.m.

The Senate honored William “Red” Dawson on Marshall University day in the Capitol. Dawson was hired as the Marshall Football team’s receivers coach in 1968. On November 14, 1970 the Thundering Herd traveled to Kinston, North Carolina for a game against the East Carolina Pirates. Dawson was on a pre-planned recruiting trip with a fellow coach to see a linebacker in Virginia. Upon the plane’s return, it clipped tree tops and crashed, killing all 75 members on board. Dawson accepted the assistant head coaching position and was a key factor in the 1971 rebuilding of the Marshall football team, which won two emotional games at home. This was his last season, as he resigned in 1972 and never returned to coaching. The resolution was presented to William “Red” Dawson to commemorate his great accomplishments throughout that difficult time for many all over.

The members passed five Senate Bills today; 106, 525, 538, 593 and 613. Senate Bill 525 relates to the Governor fixing the salaries of appointed officers. Senate Bill 613 defines the total capital for purposes of calculating state-chartered bank’s lending limits.

Fifteen Senate Bills were read for the second time today and advanced to the third reading. House Bill 2444, which provides for the assignment of economic development office representatives to serve as Small Business Allies as facilitators for small business entities and individuals, and House Bill 4163, which provides the authority and procedure for municipalities to give notice to and publish the names of entities delinquent in paying business taxes, were also read for the second time and advanced to the third reading in the Senate.

The following committees will meet today:

Health & Human Resources at 1:50 p.m. in 451M

Education at 2:15 in 451M

Government Organizations at 2:15 in 208W

Finance at 3:15 p.m. in 451M

Judiciary at 3:15 p.m. in 208W

The Senate will reconvene tomorrow, Saturday February 16th, at 11 a.m.

The Judiciary Committee will meet prior to session at 9 a.m.

Common Core Amended, Advanced to Third Reading

House Floor Session

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February 25, 2016

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The House of Delegates met today at 11 a.m.

Senate Bill 419 relates to the termination of Workers’ Compensation Debt Reduction Act and was heavily discussed prior to passage.

Several other bills were taken to a vote today in the house. Among them were House Bill 2897, House Bill 4171 whcih relates to the public school calendar, House Bill 4295 which relates to the School Innovation Zone Act, House Bill 4365, House Bill 4572, House Bill 4594, House Bill 4617, House Bill 4651, House Bill 4674 and House Bill 4705.

House Bill 4014 was advanced to third reading after debating 10 potential amendments. The bill would prevent the State Board of Education from implementing common core standards.

Twelve other House Bills were advanced to third reading, along with two bills which were laid over on third reading. Twenty-three bills were advanced to second reading.

The following committees will meet today:

Finance: 6:30 p.m.

Judiciary: 6:30 p.m.

Health and Human Resources: 7 p.m.

Substance Abuse: 8 p.m.

The following committees will meet tomorrow prior to session:

Energy: 8:30 a.m.

Finance: 9 a.m.

Judiciary: 9 a.m.

Gov. Org.: 9:30 a.m.

Rules: 10:45 a.m.

The House will reconvene tomorrow at 11 a.m.