The House covened today for the last day of the regular session to pass 45 bills, 11 of which have completed legislative action. Senate amendments on 15 bills were concurred.

Senate Bill 6 was among the bills passed, which would regulate the sale of drug products used in the manufacturing of methamphetamine. The bill would lower the amount of these drugs one can get over-the-counter per year and would allow counties to vote on whether or not a prescription would be required.

The budget bill, Senate Bill 306, was amended to include aspects of House Bill 4015 and passed. Senate Bill 419 was passed as well, which would create the Overdose Prevention Act. This would create immunity from citation, arrest or prosecution for a person who seeks medical treatment for someone who has suffered from a drug or alcohol overdose.

The House did not concur with the Senate amendments on: House Bill 4298, changing the experience requirements of the composition of the members of the West Virginia Ethics Commission; House Bill 4283, raising the minimum wage; House Bill 4208, banning synthetic hallucinogens; and House Bill 4411, allowing the disposal of drill cuttings and associated drilling waste generated from well sites in commercial solid waste facilities.

The following committees will meet today:

• Conference Committee on House Bill 4619 at 5:35 p.m.
• Conference Committee on House Bill 4236 at 6:00 p.m.

The House is in recess until 6:05 p.m. today.

UPDATE: The House reconvened this evening to pass an additional six bills, including Senate Bill 461. This bill would create the Future Fund, in which 25 percent of the annual revenue in excess of $175 million from the severance tax on oil and natural gas would be despoited beginning July 1, 2014. No money from this fund could be expended or appropriated until the fiscal year of 2020.

Senate Bill 12 was passed, which would permit healthcare providers to expedite care for partners of patients with sexually transmitted diseases without physically examining the partner. This would allow for the prescribing, dispensing, furnishing or providing of prescription antibiotics. Senate Bill 204, relating to crime victims compensation awards, was passed as well.

The House rejected two Senate Joint Resolutions. Senate Joint Resolution 12, which proposed the Protecting and Conserving West Virginia’s Water Resources for the Use and Benefit of its Citizens Amendment, was rejected. The House also rejected Senate Joint Resolution 14, which proposed the Future Fund Amendment.

The following committees will meet today:

• Conference Committee on House Bill 4411 at 8:30 p.m. in the Senate Conference Room

The House has recessed for ten minutes.

The House convened today to pass 24 bills, nine of which completed legislative action, including Senate Bill 202. This bill would create the Benefit Corporation Act, which would allow for the creation of a corporate entity that would allow a business to consider societal and environmental purposes in addition to profit.

Senate Bill 3 completed legislative action as well, which would create the Uniform Real Property Transfer on Death Act. This act would allow the owner of real property to pass the property to a beneficiary upon death without probate. Senate Bill 357 would provide the Logging Sediment Control Act’s civil and criminal penalties.

Other bills that with be sent back to the Senate for the concurrence of amendments include Senate Bill 434. This bill would eliminate the revocation period for DUI offenders if they are eligible for the Alcohol Test and Lock Program, apply prior to the date of revocation, agree to use the Test and Lock Device for the required length of time, and waive the right to an administrative hearing. Senate Bill 477 passed as well, which would provide that the use of a planning period can be determined by the teacher.

The following committees will meet today:

• House Education immediately following the floor session in 434M
• House Health and Human Resources immediately following the floor session in 215E-A

The House is in recess until 4:30 p.m. today.

UPDATE: The House reconvened this evening to read 47 bills a second time.

Senate Bill 6 was among those read, which would regulate the sale of drugs used in the manufacturing of methamphetamine. The bill was amended and no longer requires a prescription to receive these drugs, but instead lowers the amount one can get over the counter.

The Senate’s budget bill, Senate Bill 306, was on second reading as well. Senate Bill 317 would create a uniform regulation of firearms, ammunition and firearm accessories throughout West Virginia rather than determined by counties or municipalities. Senate Bill 391 would give a $1,000 across-the-board raise for teachers, a two percent raise and an increase in the equity supplement of $12 per month for school service personnel.

Senate Bill 461 would create the West Virginia Future Fund. Under this, 25 percent of the annual revenue in excess of $175 million from the severance tax on oil and natural gas would be deposited into the fund beginning July 1, 2014. The fund would be invested by the Investment Management Board and could not be expended or appropriated until the fiscal year 2020.

The House is adjourned until 10 a.m. tomorrow.