Blog – Page 237

Boys State Program Takes Over Capitol

Around the Capitol

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June 11, 2015

Attendees from the American Legion Mountaineer Boys State descended on the Capitol Thursday in Charleston, WV to hear from speakers representing different branches of government and to attend a mock legislative session in the Senate and House Chambers.

At the American Legion Boys State, an annual camp which takes place the second week in June each year, participants are exposed to the rights and privileges, the duties and the responsibilities of American citizens. High school juniors are selected by local American Legion Posts to attend the program.

Senate Health Committee Counsel Jeff Johnson assisted the group for the seventh straight year and was himself a participant when he was in high school.

“Boys State is a great opportunity for students who have an interest in government to gain an understanding in the legislative process,” said Johnson.

The American Legion Boys State has been a program of The American Legion since 1935 and the West Virginia Chapter was created in 1936 and holds the second oldest charter in the nation.

Delegate Steven Shaffer Takes Oath of Office

Swearing-In Ceremony

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May 5, 2015

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Steven Shaffer (D – Preston), representing the 52nd Delegate District, was sworn into office during a brief ceremony Tuesday morning in the House Chamber. West Virginia Supreme Court Justice Robin Davis administered the oath of office. Shaffer was joined in the ceremony by his former law partner Ronnie Brown, his current law partner Paul Estep, his son Stephen and his two grandchildren Addison and Owen.

Shaffer fills the vacancy left by the retirement of Larry Williams, who is stepping aside after 22 years in the Legislature to accept a position with the West Virginia Department of Agriculture.

Shaffer, a former coal miner, was elected mayor of Tunnelton in 1980 as well as to the Preston County Board of Education in 1996. He also served as assistant prosecutor for Preston County from 2003 to 2005 and is currently a partner at Estep & Shaffer, L.C. Attorneys at Law.

Legislature Passes Budget, Adjourns Sine Die

Senate Floor Session

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March 18, 2015

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Both Chambers adopted the Conference Committee Report and passed House Bill 2016, the Budget Bill.

They also amended and repassed six bills to address the veto objections of the Governor.

Senate Bill 286 will provide medical and religious exemptions from mandatory immunizations for school children. Senate Bill 287 will provide for the awarding of a posthumous high school diploma to parents of a high school senior who dies during the senior year. The bill is to be known as “Todd’s Law”. Senate Bill 529 will modify calculation of final average salary, employee contribution rate and number of months to equal a year of service credit and military service credit for members of the Public Employees Retirement System who first were employed by a participating employer.

House Bill 2648 will allow authorized entities to maintain a stock of epinephrine auto-injectors to be used for emergency treatment during anaphylactic reactions. House Bill 2664 will increase penalties for causing death or injury while driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. House Bill 2880 will create a pilot program to assist participants in addressing their dependence on opioids, by maintaining abstinence from the use of those substances and reducing recidivism.

The House of Delegates and state Senate have adjourned SINE Die

Senate Reconsiders Action on Vetoed Bills

Senate Floor Session

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March 18, 2015

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The Senate reconvened this afternoon to take up executive messages on three vetoed bills.

The body amended and repassed Senate Bill 286 relating to exemptions for compulsory immunizations of students, Senate Bill 287, providing posthumous high school diplomas, and Senate Bill 529 relating to PERS, SPRS and TRS benefits and costs.

The Senate is in recess until 3:30 p.m.

Budget Bill Expected To Be Voted On

House Floor Session

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March 18, 2015

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House Bill 2016, the Budget Bill, expected to be voted on this afternoon.

Budget Conference Committee Report is now available on the web site.

Both chambers willl take up veto messages.

The House is in recess until 3 p.m.

The Senate is in recess until 2 p.m.

Legislature Continues Budget Deliberation

House Floor Session

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March 17, 2015

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Both the House and Senate announced the conference committee on House Bill 2016, the Budget Bill will meet at 10 a.m. in 460M.

The House stands adjourned until 9 a.m. tomorrow.

The Senate stands adjourned until 9 a.m. tomorrow.

Legislature Begins Extended Budget Session

Senate Floor Session

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March 16, 2015

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The House and Senate both briefly met to continue work on the budget bill. The House also announced enrolled bills. Budget Conferees for House Bill 2016 are Senators Mike Hall, Chris Walters, Dave Sypolt, Greg Boso, Roman Prezioso, Ron Stollings and Robert Plymale and Delegates Eric Nelson, Bill Anderson, Bob Ashley, Ray Canterbury, Brent Boggs, Harry Keith White and Larry Williams.

The Budget Conference Committee is meeting at 5:30 p.m. in Room 460M

The House and Senate are both adjourned until 9:00 a.m. tomorrow

Legislature Convenes Extended Budget Session

House Floor Session

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March 15, 2015

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After adjourning the regular session both the House and Senate reconvened briefly to begin the extended budget session where the only bill to be considered is House Bill 2016, the Budget Bill.

The House and Senate will both convene at 5 p.m. for the Extended Budget Session

Senate Passes 11 Bills; Recess till 12:05

Senate Floor Session

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March 15, 2015

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The senate reconvined after a short recess and finished legislation on 11 bills. House Bill 2939 will clarify and specifically include sexual misconduct by a student upon another student as warranting mandatory reporting to law enforcement. The bill makes failure to report such misconduct a misdemeanor offense punishable by up to a year in jail and/or a fine of $10,000. The bill also increases the penalty for other failures to report. Senate Bill 584 will transfer Cedar Lakes Camp and Conference Center to private, nonstock, not-for-profit corporation.

The Senate is adjurned 12:05 A.M.

UPDATE:

They convined briefly for extended budget session.

Senate Completes Five Bills; Recess Until 9:15

Senate Floor Session

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March 14, 2015

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Following the recess the Senate met and completed legislation on five bills. Senate Bill 455 will allow boards of governors of institutions of higher education more flexibility in the procurement and payment of certain expenses.

Senate Bill 439 was amended and passed. It will clarify and update the law regarding higher education personnel generally and to clarify the roles of the Higher Education Policy Commission, the Community and Technical College Council, and higher education institutions, especially as it relates to classification and compensation.

The Senate refused to concur with house amendments to Senate Bill 325 which would set deadlines for candidates to file financial disclosure statements with the Ethics Commission. The bill clarifies to which office the Ethics Commission sends copies of the statements. The bill disqualifies any candidate who fails to file the statement by the deadline.

The senate is in recess until 9:15 P.M.