Wednesday, June 25, 2025
Wednesday, June 25, 2025
Home Blog Page 232

Senate Passed Eight Bills

0

The Senate met today at 11 a.m. 

Senate Bills 7, 341, 378, 419, 437, 449, 450 and 451 were unanimously passed today. Senate Bill 7 establishes a wrongful conduct rule prohibiting recovery of damages in certain circumstances and Senate Bill 419 terminates taxes imposed under the Workers’ Compensation Debt Reduction Act of 2005. Senate Bill 509, which removes a 10-day requirement from the Division of Labor to inspect amusement rides and attractions, was passed with a 31-3 vote. These bills will now be sent to the House of Delegates for consideration. 

Senate Bills 73, 429, 465, 469 and 501 were read for the second time and advanced to the third reading. Senate Bill 73 creates a felony crime of knowingly leaving the scene of a crash that resulted in serious bodily injury. 

Two bills were laid over one day on the second reading and will retain their places on the calendar. This includes Senate Bill 517, which clarifies PEIA plans that are exempt from regulation by the Insurance Commissioner, and Senate Bill 524, which rewrites the Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists article. 

Introduced to the Senate today were bills 578 through 582.

 

The following committees will meet today:

Health & Human Resources at 1 p.m. in 208W

Government Organizations at 2 p.m. in 208W

Education at 2 p.m. in 451M

Finance at 3 p.m. in 451M

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

 

The Committee on Finance will meet tomorrow at 10 a.m. prior to session. 

The Senate will reconvene tomorrow at 11 a.m.

West Virginia Religious Freedom Restoration Act Sent to Third Reading

0

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

House Bill 2444 passed in the House today. This bill would work to provide for the assignment of economic development office representatives to serve as small business entities and individuals. 

Many bills were sent to third reading. One of those House Bill 4012, the West Virginia Religious Restoration Act. Several amendments were proposed and debated. Other bills on second reading were House Bill 4148, House Bill 4158, House Bill 4161 and House Bill 4362.

Only one bill, House Bill 4147, was sent to second reading

The House also voted to discharge House Bill 4037, which prohibits states from forcing property owners with oil or gas rights to involuntary integrates their interests. 

 

The following committees will meet today:

Finance: 2:15 p.m.

Judiciary: 2:30 p.m.

Education: 2:45 p.m.

 

The following committees will meet tomorrow: 

Education: 9 a.m.

Small Business: 9 a.m.

Banking and Insurance: 9:30 a.m.

 

The House will reconvene tomorrow at 11 a.m.

Senate Declares Disability Advocacy Day at the Legislature

0

The Senate met today at 11 a.m.

Senate Resolution 32 was adopted and designated today, February 10, 2016, as Disability Advocacy Day in the Legislature. 

House Bill 2800, which adds law-enforcement officers’ contact information and the names of family members to the list of exemptions from public record requests, was passed unanimously. The House of Delegates will have to concur on the amended title from the Senate for the bill to complete legislation.

Senate Bills 7, 341, 378, 419, 437, 449, 450, 451 and 509 were advanced to the third reading. Senate Bill 378 relates to truancy intervention and Senate Bill 419 terminates taxes imposed under the Workers’ Compensation Debt Reduction Act of 2005.

Senate Bill 116, which increases the number of limited video lottery terminals allowed at a retail location, was laid over on the second reading and will retain its place on the calendar.

Senate Bills 560-577 were introduced to the floor. 

 

The following committees will meet today:

Economic Development at 1:30 p.m. in 451M

Natural Resources at 2 p.m. in 451M

Judiciary at 3 p.m.in 208W

Finance at 3 p.m. in 451M

 

The Committee on Finance will meet tomorrow at 9:30 a.m. prior to session.

The Senate will reconvene tomorrow at 11 a.m. 

Senate Passes Bill Regarding TANF Requirements

0

The Senate met today at 11 a.m. 

 

Senate Bill 6, which requires drug screening and testing of applicants for the TANF program, was passed with a 32-2 vote.

 

Senate Bills 39, 43, 309, 345, 346, 349 and 426 were also passed but with a unanimous vote. Senate Bill 39 regulates off-road motorcycles within the Hatfield-McCoy Recreation Area, and Senate Bill 309 relates to child-care center licensing and exempts county parks and recreation from licensure. These bills will now be sent to the House of Delegates for further consideration. 

 

Senate Bills 7 and 419 were laid over one day on the second reading and will retain their place on the calendar. House Bill 2800 was advanced to the third reading after an amendment was added from the Senate Judiciary Committee. 

 

Senate Bill 559, a supplemental appropriation bill to the Greater Weirton Area Senior Center, was introduced to the floor. 

 

The following committees will meet today:

Energy, Industry & Mining at 1:20 p.m. in 208W

Health & Human Resources at 1:30 p.m. in 451M

Government Organizations at 2 p.m. in 208W

Education at 2 p.m. in 451M

Judiciary at 3 p.m. in 208W

Finance at 3 p.m. in 451M

 

The Committee on Military will meet tomorrow at 10 a.m. in 451M prior to session. 

 

The Senate will reconvene tomorrow at 11 a.m. 

House Bill 4186 Passes in the House

0

The House met today at 11 a.m.

House Bill 4186 passed in the House. This bill relates to additional duties of the Public Service Commission. This bill will now be sent to the Senate for further discussion. 

One bill, House Bill 2444, was read for the second time in the House today. 

Multiple bills were read for the first time including House Bill 4012, House Bill 4148, House Bill 4158, House Bill 4161 and House Bill 4362

 

The following committees will meet today:

Political Subdivisions1 p.m.

Health and Human Resources2:30 p.m. 

Judiciary3:30 p.m. 

Substance Abuse4 p.m.

 

The following committees will meet prior to session tomorrow:

Finance9 a.m.

Judiciary9 a.m. 

Government Organization9 a.m. 

 

 

Constitutional Carry Bill Passes in the House

0

The House met today at 11 a.m., and the major bill up for discussion was the Constitutional Carry bill, House Bill 4145.

The Constitutional Carry bill would allow anyone over the age of 21 to conceal a deadly weapon without a permit. The House approved a strike and insert amendment proposed by Judiciary Chair John Shott, as well as an amendment proposed by Delegate Jeff Eldridge, which would add probation officers to the list of people approved to carry a weapon inside a school building. After much debate over the details, the bill was passed with a vote of 68 to 31.

Additionally, the House passed seven more bills, each of them with a nearly unanimous vote. Senate Bill 342, Senate Bill 357, Senate Bill 360, House Bill 2366, House Bill 2511 and House Bill 4163.

Tomorrow House Bill 4186 will be up for third reading, and House Bills 2444, 2800 and 4189 will be read for the second time and be open for amendments.

 

The following committees will meet today:

Finance:  Fifteen minutes after adjournment

Education:  4:15 p.m.

Public School Funding Subcommittee: Immediately following Education Committee adjournment

 

The House will reconvene tomorrow at 11 a.m.

 

Senate Passes One Bill, Advances Eight to Third Reading

0

The Senate met briefly today at 11 a.m. 

 

Senate Bill 278, which clarifies physicians’ mutual insurance company is not a state or quasi-state actor, was passed today with a unanimous vote. This bill will now be sent to the House of Delegates for consideration. 

 

Eight Senate Bills, 6, 39, 43, 309, 345, 346, 349 and 426 were read for the second time and advanced to third reading. Senate Bill 6 requires drug screening and testing of applicants for the TANF program. Senate Bill 39 regulates off-road motorcycles within the Hatfield-McCoy Recreation Area. 

 

Senate Bill 7, which establishes a wrongful conduct rule prohibiting recovery of damages in certain circumstances, and House Bill 2800, which adds law-enforcement officers’ contact information and names of family members to the list of exemptions from public record requests, were read today and advanced to the second reading. 

 

Senate Bills 544-558 were introduced to the floor. 

 

The following committees will meet today:

Agriculture & Rural Development at 1 p.m. in 451M

Banking & Insurance at 2 p.m. in 208W

Finance at 3 p.m. in 451M

Judiciary at 3 p.m. in 208W

 

The Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure will meet tomorrow at 10 a.m. in 451M.

 

The Senate will reconvene tomorrow at 11 a.m.

Senate Completes Action on One Bill, Passes Four More, During Saturday Floor Session.

0

The Senate held a morning floor session on Saturday, passing four bills on to the House for consideration and completing action on another.

Senate Bill 32 completed action after the body concurred in the House amendments to the bill. The measure relates to various mechanisms and deadlines that deal with withdrawal of candidates for office and filling vacancies. This bill now heads to the Governor’s desk for final approval.

Senate Bill 68, which would no longer allow the Health Care Authority to conduct rate review and set rates for hospitals was the subject of much debate and discussion before passing. Senate Bill 326 would repeal and recodify law relating to contributing to delinquency of minor child, Senate Bill 361would prohibit persons who have committed crimes against elderly from performing community service involving elderly, and House Bill 4007 relates to appointment of attorneys to assist the Attorney General. These bills will now head to the House of Delegates for approval.

Senate Bills 531-543 were introduced today.

Senate Judiciary will meet at 12:30 p.m. today in 208W

The Senate has adjourned until Monday at 11 a.m.

 

 

WV Workplace Freedom Act Completes Legislation

0

The Senate met today at 11 a.m.

 

The West Virginia Workplace Freedom Act was returned to the Senate this afternoon with House amendments. The Senate concurred with the amendments with an 18-16 vote and the bill completed legislation. This bill, in addition to the Prevailing Wage Bill, will now be sent to the Governor’s office for final approval. 

 

Senate Bills 29, 159, 265, 270, 385 and 415 were passed unanimously. Senate Bill 330, requiring automobile liability insurers provide 10 days’ notice of intent to cancel due to nonpayment of premium, passed with a 27-7 vote. Senate Bill 387, regarding to shared animal ownership agreements to consume raw milk, was passed with a 22-12 vote. 

 

Senate Bills 68, 326 and 361 were advanced to the third reading. Along with House Bill 4007, which relates generally to the appointment of attorneys to assist the Attorney General.

 

Bills introduced to the Senate toady were 520-530.

 

The Judiciary committee will meet today at 3 p.m. in 208W.

The Finance committee will meet tomorrow prior to session at 9 a.m. 

 

The Senate will reconvene tomorrow, Saturday February 6th, at 10 a.m. 

The Government Organizations committee will meet tomorrow immediately following session. 

Bills Passed from the House

0

As of 4 p.m., Friday, February 5, 2016, the 24th day of the second session of the 82nd Legislature, 876 bills have been introduced in the House. Of those, 24 of the bills have passed and have been sent to the Senate for further consideration. Among those:

House Bill 4244 (Eliminating the need for a public hearing when no objection is filed on application from an out of state state-chartered credit union to establish a branch in West Virginia) would eliminate the need for public hearing to act on an application from an out of state credit union when no objection is filed within 10 days.

House Bill 4245 (Requiring the cashier or executive officer of a banking institution to provide shareholders with the institution’s most recent year-end audited financial statement) would replace the obsolete requirement of establishing an examining committee and clarify that a bank must employ an outside auditing firm. It also would provide for shareholders to be given the bank’s most recent year-end audited statement at their annual meeting.

House Bill 4311 (Relating to qualifications of members of the Board of Landscape Architects) would add citizen and non-practicing members to the board and provide for their removal upon obtaining an active license.

House Bill 4313 (Relating to qualifications of members of the Board of Architects) would add citizen and non-practicing members to the board and provide for their removal upon obtaining an active license. The bill would also provide an exemption to individuals with an inactive, retired or emeritus license from the prohibition against using the title.

House Bill 4235 (Relating to the publication requirements of estates) would work to make the time period for claims against the estate uniform in all counties. This particular bill would make identical change in the counties that have elected use the fiduciary supervisor system. This bill will now be sent to the Senate for further discussion.

House Bill 4175 (Relating generally to home schooling) would work to clarify that a student who is home schooled may not be classified as habitually absent. This bill would also work to remove the requirement that the person providing the home schooling instruction have a high school diploma. This bill will now be sent to the Senate for further discussion.

House Bill 4243 (Extending the time that certain nonprofit community groups are exempt from the moratorium on creating new nursing home beds) would work to extend the time that certain nonprofit community groups are exempt from the moratorium on creating new nursing home beds. This bill will now be sent to the Senate for discussion.

Additional House Bills

House Bill 4384 (Permitting students to opt out of taking certain academic assessments) would work to recognize the parental or legal guardianship authority to direct their children’s education, including the right to refuse certain academic assessments of their children. This bill is currently being discussed in the House Education Committee.

House Bill 4364 (Internet Privacy Protection Act) would work to the privacy of personal electronic data for employees and applicants for employment, and to authorize employers to investigate to ensure compliance with applicable protections of certain business information. This bill is currently being discussed in the House Judiciary Committee.

House Bill 4363 (The Healthy and Safe Workplace Act) would work to create a new cause of action to deter workplace bullying. This bill would make it an unlawful employment practice to subject an employee to an abusive work environment that exists when the defendant, acting with malice, subjects an employee to abusive conduct so severe that it causes tangible harm to the employee. This bill is currently being discussed in the House Industry and Labor Committee.

House Bill 4347 (Providing pregnant women priority to substance abuse treatment) would work to give pregnant women priority to substance abuse treatment. This bill is currently being discussed in the House Select Committee on Prevention and Treatment of Substance Abuse.

House Bill 4391 (Issuing identification documents to homeless individuals residing at homeless shelters) would work to require the Division of Motor Vehicles to provide certain identification documents to homeless individuals, residing at homeless shelters within this state, at no cast. This bill is currently being discussed in House Judiciary Committee.

House Bill 4388 (Relating to stroke centers) would work to require the Bureau for Public Health to designate certain hospitals as stroke centers and require the Office of Emergency Medical Services to establish protocols to treat and transport stroke patients. This bill is currently being discussed in the House Health and Human Resources Committee.

House Bill 4373 (Prohibiting exposing a dog or cat that is a companion animal to extreme weather conditions that result in injury or death) would work to prohibit exposing a dog or cat that is a companion to extreme weather conditions that results in injury or death. This bill is currently being discussed in House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee.

House Bill 2366 (Relating generally to the solicitation of minors) would amend the provisions of the current code that would allow law-enforcement officers to conduct undercover investigations to identify and prosecute adults who use computers to solicit minors or persons they believe to be minors for sexual activity. It also will create a new felony for the offense of soliciting a minor and then traveling to meet with an engage in any prohibited sexual activity or conduct with a minor.

House Bill 2511 (Health Care Sharing Ministries Freedom to Share Act) would exempt health care sharing ministries from state statutory requirements of individual and group accident and health insurance policies. The bill would also set forth the conditions that must be met.

House Bill 4145 (Relating to carry or use of a handgun or deadly weapon) would establish that anyone over 21 years of age can carry a concealed deadly weapon without a state license or permit.

House Bill 4163 (Providing the authority and procedure for municipalities to give notice to, and publish the names of, entities delinquent in paying business and occupation taxes) would provide municipalities with the authority and procedure to publish the names of entities delinquent in filing and paying business and occupation taxes.

House Bill 4393 (Relating to enhanced penalties for use of a firearm during commission of a felony) would provide for enhanced penalties for use of a firearm during commission of a felony, and it also would provide exceptions to such enhanced penalties.