Monday, May 5, 2025
Monday, May 5, 2025
Home Blog Page 233

WV Workplace Freedom Act Passes the House

0

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

Senate Bill 1, also known as the West Virginia Workplace Freedom Act was voted on in the House today. After about 38 delegates stood up to debate their point, the bill passed with a vote of 54 to 46. The bill will now return to the Senate for consideration again.

House Bill 4311 and 4313 were also passed.

House Bills 4244, 4245 and Senate Bill 32 were on second reading today, and an amendment on Senate Bill 32 was adopted.

House Bills 2366, 2511, 4007, 4145, 4163 and 4393 were on first reading today. 

 

The following committees will meet tomorrow morning:

Finance: 9 a.m.

Gov. Org.: 9 a.m.

Judiciary: 9 a.m.

 

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

Prevailing Wage Bill Becomes Second to Complete Legislation

0

The Senate met today at 11 a.m. 

 

House Bill 4005, repealing the prevailing hourly rate of wages requirements, completed legislation this afternoon. On January 27th, the bill passed in the House of Delegates with a vote of 55 to 44. After debate, the Senate passed the bill with a 18-16 vote. The bill will now be sent to the Governor’s office for final approval.  

 

Senate bills 40 and 109 were also read, put to a vote and passed today. These bills will go to the House of Delegates for further consideration. House Bill 2101, eliminating obsolete government entities, was passed in the Senate with an amended title. The House will now have to concur with this amendment in order for the bill to complete legislation. 

 

Senate bills 29, 159, 265, 270, 330, 385, 387 and 415 were read for the second time and advanced to the third reading. 

 

Introduced today were Senate bills 505-519. Senate Bill 518 makes it unlawful to discriminate against persons due to sexual orientation. 

 

The following committees will meet today:

 

Energy at 1:40 p.m. in 208W

Health & Human Resources at 1:40 p.m. in 451M

Government Organizations at 2:15 p.m. in 208W

Education at 2:15 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 10 a.m. prior to session. 

 

 

The Senate will reconvene tomorrow at 11 a.m. 

Senate Advances Prevailing Wage Bill to Third Reading

0

The Senate met today at 11 a.m. 

 

Bills 485-504 were introduced. Senate Bill 504 relates to the confidentiality of juvenile records.

 

Senate bills 123, 254, 261, 268, 306 and 369 were read for the third time, put to a vote and unanimously passed. The bills will now be sent to the House of Delegates for consideration. 

 

House Bill 4005, repealing prevailing hourly rate of wage requirements, was read for the second time and advanced to the third reading. Senators Snyder and Romano proposed to amend the bill but were rejected with a 16-18 vote. This bill, along with House Bill 2101 and Senate Bills 40 and 109, will be discussed tomorrow and put to a vote. 

 

 

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 have a budget hearing at 9:30 a.m. tomorrow before session.

 

The Senate will reconvene tomorrow at 11 a.m. 

West Virginia Workplace Freedom Act Amended on Second Reading

0

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

House Bill 4243, which would extend the time that certain nonprofit community groups are exempt from the moratorium on creating new nursing home beds, was voted on today. The bill was passed unanimously.

Senate Bill 1, the WV Workplace Freedom Act, was on second reading today, which means it could be subjected to amendments. Delegate John Shott, Judiciary Chairman, offered a strike and insert amendment, which would essentially replace the majority of Senate Bill 1. The amendment would, among other things, remove the continuing penalty for violation, making it a one-time penalty, as well as require a person to be proven to have knowingly violated the bill. The amendment was adopted, and the bill passed onto third reading, to be voted on tomorrow.

House Bill 4311 and 4313 advanced to third reading SB 32, House Bill 4244 and House Bill 4245 advanced to second reading.

 

The following committee meetings will be held today:
Vet Affairs: 1 p.m.
Judiciary: 1:15 p.m.
Finance: 2 p.m.
Education: 2 p.m.

The following committee meetings will be held tomorrow prior to session:
Small Business: 9 a.m. in Gov. Org.

There will be a public hearing in the House Chamber tomorrow at 9 a.m. The hearing will discuss House Bill 4014.

The House will reconvene tomorrow at 11 a.m.

Senate Designates Go Red for Women Day, Passes Five Bills

0

The Senate met today at 11 a.m.

 

Senate Resolution 21 was adopted today, designating February 5, 2016 Go Red for Women Day in the Legislature. The Senate members received a CPR demonstration on the floor.

 

Five Senate bills, 271, 333, 334, 336 and 343, were put to a vote and unanimously passed. Senate Bill 333 regards the taking and registering of wildlife, Senate Bill 334 identifies coyote as a fur-bearing animal and woodchuck as a game animal, and Senate Bill 336 relates to crossbow hunting. These bills will now be sent to the House of Delegates for further consideration.

 

Senate Bills 123, 254, 261, 268, 306 and 369 were read for the second time and will be put to a vote tomorrow after the third reading. Senate Bill 109, repealing code provisions related to certain reports by trustees for property, and House Bill 2101, eliminating obsolete government entities, were laid over one day and will retain their places on the calendar.

Senate Bills 455-484 were introduced on the floor.

 

The following meetings will meet today:

 

Energy, Industry & Mining at 1:30 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 pm. in 451M

Judiciary at 3 p.m. in 208W

Finance at 3 p.m. in 451M

 

The Military committee will meet tomorrow at 10 a.m. before session.

 

The Senate will reconvene tomorrow at 11 a.m. 

First bill completes legislation, Senate Bill 364

0

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

On Feb. 2, the House of Delegates passed the first bill to complete legislation in the second session of the 2016 Legislature.

Senate Bill 364 – Supplemental appropriation expiring funds from General Revenue – was effective from passage after the House of Delegates voted on its passage 96-2. On Jan. 27, the bill passed the Senate 34-0.

The purpose of the supplemental appropriation bill is to expire funds from the aforesaid accounts to the State Fund, General Revenue unappropriated balance for the fiscal year 2016. SB 364 was requested by Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin to help close a nearly $400 million budget shortfall for this year. The measure would take nearly $52 million from the Rainy Day fund to help close the budget gap.

House Bill 4175 also passed in the House after debate. The bill relates to generally to rules relating to home schooling. 

House Bill 4243 was sent to third reading.

Three bills were sent to second reading including Senate Bill 1, The West Virginia Workplace Freedom Act, House Bill 4311 and House Bill 4313

 

The following committees will meet today:

Political Subdivisions1:30 in House Education Room 

Education: 2 p.m. 

Health and Human Resources: 2:30 p.m. in 215E

Judiciary: 2:30 p.m.

Prevention and Substance Abuse: 4 p.m. 

 

The following committees will meet prior to session tomorrow:

Finance: 9 a.m. 

Judiciary: 9 a.m. 

Government Organization: 9 a.m. 

 

A public hearing over House Bill 4014 will be held on Thursday, Feb. 4 at 9 a.m. in the House Chamber.

The House will reconvene tomorrow at 11 a.m. 

House Bill 4235 passes

0

The House met today at 11 a.m. and passed House Bill 4235. This bill standardizes the filing date requirements for administration of estates, 60 days.

Senate Bill 364 was read for the second time today, which means it could be amended. The bill appropriates expiring funds from the General Fund. Delegate Sponaugle proposed an amended which would transfer approximately $50 million of the expiring funds to support PEIA.

This amendment struck a chord with many delegates as they debated the potential of the amendment. Some stated appropriating these funds would be an important first step to solving the PEIA crisis. However, others stated doing so would only harm the programs already funded by the bill.
The amendment was rejected by a vote of 36 to 63.

House Bill 4189, which came to second reading today, was tabled. This bill is nearly synonymous with Senate Bill 364.

House Bill 4175, which relates to homeschooling was sent to third reading.

House Bill 4243 was sent to second reading.

The following committees will meet today:

Finance: 2 p.m.

Judiciary: 2 p.m.

Education: 2 p.m.

Government Organizations: 2 p.m.

Roads and transportation: 5 p.m.

 

The following committees will meet tomorrow prior to session:

Agriculture: 8 a.m. until 9:30 p.m.

Industry and Labor: 9:30 a.m.

 

The House will reconvene at 11 a.m. tomorrow.

Senate Passes Seven Bills, Advances Five to Third Reading

0

The Senate met today at 11 a.m. and passed seven bills. 

Senate Bill 379, relating to candidate filing fees, and Senate Bill 329, eliminating sunset provision for commission to study residential placement of children, were both passed. These, in addition to Senate Bills 15, 27, 150, 288 and 338, will be sent to the House of Delegates for further consideration.

 

Senate Bills 271, 333, 334, 336 and 343 advanced to the third reading and will be put to a vote tomorrow on the floor.

 

Bills 436-450 were introduced to the Senate today.

 

The following committees will meet today:

Agriculture & Rural Development at 1:15 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 Transportation & Infrastructure will meet tomorrow at 10 a.m.

 

The Senate will reconvene tomorrow morning at 11 a.m. 

Bills Passed from the House

0

As of 4 p.m., Friday, January 29, 2016, the 17th day of the second sessions of the 82nd Legislature, 785 bills have been introduced in the Senate. Of those, 17 of the bills have passed and have been sent to the Senate for further consideration. Among those:

House Bill 4241 (Adding citizen members to the Real Estate Commission) would serve to add citizens and no practicing members to the board and to provide for their removal upon obtaining an active license. This bill is currently being discussed in the Committee of House Government Organization.

House Bill 4239 (Relating to construction of a modern highway from Pikeville, Kentucky to Beckley, West Virginia) would require reports and the purpose is to propose the construction of a modern highway from Pikeville, Kentucky to Beckley, West Virginia. The Bill calls for the Commissioner of Highways to determine how the highway can best be funded and constructed. The bill is currently being discussed in the Committee of House Roads and Transportation.

House Bill 2147 (Requiring the circuit court, when appointing counsel for alleged protected persons, to make appointments from a listing to all interested attorneys in the circuit) would work to require the circuit courts, when appointing counsel for alleged protected persons, to make appointments from a listing of all interested and qualified attorneys in the circuit and on a rotating basis. The appointments shall be made on a rotating basis. If no interested counsel are available, the court shall appoint any competent counsel it seems proper.

House Bill 2584 (Allowing a potential juror for jury duty until a later date based on seasonal employment) would allow a judge to excuse a potential juror from jury duty until a later date based on seasonal employment. This excuse shall be determined on the basis of information provided on the juror qualification form or interview with the prospective juror or other competent evidence whether the prospective juror should be excused from jury service.

House Bill 2588 (Relating to the filing of financial statements with the Secretary of State) would require financial disclosure forms to be filed with the Secretary of State electronically. Exceptions are in instances where a candidate has been unable to file the financial statement, and, providing for exceptions in the case of hardship.

House Bill 2796 (Providing paid leave for certain state officers and employees during a declared state of emergency) would work to provide paid leave for certain officers and employees during a declared state of emergency. The bill details that and state employment who is designated as an essential member of an emergency aid provider may be granted leave from his or her state employment with pay, for not more than fifteen work days in each year.

House Bill 2800 (Adding law-enforcement officers’ contact information and names of family members to the list of exemptions from public records requests) would work to add law-enforcement officers contact information and names and contact information of family members to the list of the Freedom of Information Act exemptions. This bill defines that it would provide exemptions for law-information voluntarily disclosed on campaign documentation and law-enforcement officer’s government issued email addressed and telephone numbers.

House Bill 4038 (Relating to insurance requirements for the refilling of topical eye medication) would allow patients with certain insurance companies to obtain 30 day refills of topical eye medicine as early as 21 days.

House Bill 2130 (Including law-enforcement officers among these professionals the assault or battery of which leads to enhanced criminal penalties) would work to include law-enforcement officers among those professionals the assault or battery of which leads to criminal penalties. This bill would add law-enforcement officers among the list of professionals the malicious assault, unlawful assault, battery which would lead to enhanced criminal penalties. This bill is now being sent to the Senate for further discussion.

House Bill 4005 (Repealing prevailing hourly rate of wages requirements) would repeal the prevailing hourly wages requirements. These wage requirements applied specifically to contractors hired to work on public projects.

Other House Bills

House Bill 4322 (Expanding the Learn and Earn Program) House Bill 4322 would work to change the Learn and Earn Program to allow more students to participate in the program. This is done by eliminating the authorization to use program funding for equipment purchases. This bill is now up for discussion in the House Education Committee.

House Bill 4315 (Relating to air-ambulance fees for emergency treatment or air transportation) House Bill 4315 would work to set the maximum amount for air-ambulance services which may be collected pursuant to the plans of the West Virginia Public Employees Insurance Agency. This bill is currently being discussed in the House Banking and Insurance Committee.

House Bill 4303 (Providing a salary increase for special education teachers) House Bill would work to provide a salary increase for special education teachers. This bill calls for an additional $500 to be paid annually to certified full time special education teachers for each area of special education he or she is certified, up to a maximum of three areas of $1,500. This bill is being discussed in the House Education Committee.

House Bill 4305 (Authorizing transportation network companies to operate in the state) House Bill 4305 would work to allow transportation network companies to operate in the state and to specify requirements and limitations with relation to such operations. These transportation network company drivers require a permit from the Division of Motor Vehicles to operate this company. This bill is being discussed in the House Roads and Transportation Committee.

Bills Passed from the Senate

0

As of 4 p.m., Friday, January 29, 2016, the 17th day of the second sessions of the 82nd Legislature, 435 bills have been introduced in the Senate. Of those, 20 of the bills have passed and have been sent to the House for further consideration. Among those:

Senate Bill 13 would increase penalties for overtaking and passing school buses for the purpose of receiving and discharging children. If the license plate number of any vehicle is obtained, it can be inferred that the owner of the vehicle was the driver at the time of the violation.

Senate Bill 32 would require the Secretary of State to create a notarized statement of withdrawal form in order to have one’s name removed from a ballot. It will help clarify the process for determining a candidate is disqualified.

Senate Bill 102 would provide any person employed by a West Virginia state, county or municipal agency who is a qualified law-enforcement officer with appropriate photo identification and certification of training required to carry a concealed firearm. This falls under the federal Law-Enforcement Officers Safety Act, 18 U.S.C.

Senate Bill 107 would create the Uniform Interstate Depositions and Discovery Act. The act relates to issuing subpoenas, depositions, production, inspection, uniformity of application and construction.

Senate Bill 157 would authorize the Department of Revenue to promulgate legislative rules. It would cover the Alcohol Beverage Control Commission, Lottery Commission, Racing Commission and the Department of Tax and Revenue.

Senate Bill 195 would authorize the Department of Health and Human Resources to promulgate legislative rules. It would establish community paramedicine demonstration projects. A community paramedicine means the practice by an emergency medical services provider primarily in and out-of-hospital setting of providing episodic patient evaluation, advice, and care directed at preventing or improving a particular medical condition which may require emergency medical services providers to function outside their customary emergency response and transport roles in ways that facilitate more appropriate use of emergency care resources and enhance access to primary care for medically vulnerable populations.

Senate Bill 262 would eliminate the need for law enforcement to obtain court order prior to having access to inmate mail and phone recordings. The content of an inmate’s telephone calls may be disclosed to an appropriate law-enforcement agency when disclosure is necessary for the investigation, prevention or prosecution of a crime or to safeguard the orderly operation of the correctional institution.

Senate Bill 290 would authorize assignment without notarization or required statement that assignment cannot be for more than 25 percent of employee’s wages. It will allow for wage assignments to be valid for longer than one year. It will also remove requirements for written agreement to pay employees by payroll cards.

Senate Bill 311 would allow permanent exception for mortgage modification or refinancing loan under federal Making Home Affordable programs. It would be put in place when the aggregate total of the outstanding principal balances of all other primary or subordinate mortgage loans secured by the same property exceeds the fair market value of the property.

Senate Bill 323 would correct statute subsection designations regarding trespassing on property.

Senate Bill 342 would decrease appropriations from State Fund, General Revenue, to DHHR, Division of Human Services and Bureau of Senior Services.

Senate Bill 357 would supplement appropriation from Lottery Net Profits to Bureau of Senior Services, Lottery Senior Citizens Fund.

Senate Bill 360 would supplement appropriation to Division of Human Services.

Senate Bill 364 would supplement appropriation to expiring funds from General Revenue.

Additional Bills

Senate Bill 2 would require public authorities to pay prevailing hourly rate of wages. The bill would repeal sections of the West Virginia Code.

Senate Bill 9 would create Intermediate Court of Appeals. There shall be elected one judge of the circuit court of every judicial circuit entitled to one judge and one , and one judge for each numbered division of the judicial circuit in those judicial circuits entitled to two or more circuit judges.

Senate Bill 27 would permit county commissions hire outside attorneys for collection of taxes through the courts or to represent the county before any United States Bankruptcy Court.

Senate Bill 34 would limit liability of state, county and municipal parks and recreation entities and private landowners under certain agreements.

Senate Bill 51 would exempt certain employers from discriminating against tobacco users.

Senate Bill 58 would temporary reassignment of injured or ill county board of education service personnel.

Senate Bill 68 would disallow Health Care Authority to conduct rate review and set rates for hospitals.

Senate Bill 73 would create a felony crime of knowingly leaving scene of crash resulting in serious bodily injury.

Senate Bill 79 would allow WV National Guard and Reserve members free hunting and fishing licenses under certain circumstances.

Senate Bill 85 would require judicial circuits and counties to have special advocates for children in abuse and neglect proceedings.

Senate Bill 95 would require Chief Technology Officer ensure routine audits are made of approved major information technology projects.

Senate Bill 133 would increase salaries of certain DOC, Regional Jail Authority and Division of Juvenile Services employees.

Senate Bill 147 would provide consumers sales and service tax and use tax exemption for certain services and tangible personal property sold for repair, remodeling and maintenance or aircraft.

Senate Bill 252 would amend Wiretapping and Electronic Surveillance Act to exclude oral communications.

Senate Bill 255 would permit creditor to collect and recover from consumer creditor’s reasonable expenses.

Senate Bill 257 would require Bureau of Child Support Enforcement to appear in every case involving an issue of setting child support.

Senate Bill 266 would limit appointed Property Valuation Training and Procedures Commission members’ terms.

Senate Bill 272 would allow investigators from Attorney General’s office to carry concealed weapons.

Senate Bill 281 would require health care providers and facilities to notify patient when mammogram indicates dense breast tissue.

Senate Bill 285 would allow adult adoptees and their descendants to access adoption records.