Today, the House of Delegates had its first split-floor session. Two House Concurrent Resolutions were adopted, one bill completed legislative action, and 15 bills passed the House. 

House Concurrent Resolution 8 names the bridge carrying US 50 over the South Branch Potomac River in Hampshire County, the “Judy Brothers Memorial Bridge.” The six Judy Brothers served in the US armed forces: Glice in the US Navy during WWII, Kermit and Calvin in the US Army during the Korean War, Donald and Melvin in the US Army during the Korean War and Vietnam War, and Jerry in the US Army during the Vietnam War. 

House Concurrent Resolution 66 names the bridge carrying I-77 over CR 29 in Kanawha County, the “U. S. Army SP4 Lonnie “Bill” Walker Memorial Bridge.” Walker served in the US Army during the Vietnam War. He is the recipient of the Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, and Marksman Badge Rifle M14. Walker passed on April 12, 2013.

Senate Bill 658 completed legislative action and heads to the Governor. The bill adds two new line items of funds to the Public Defender Services from unappropriated funds. This mid-year appropriation has been done annually for the past several years. 

House Bill 4191 modifies the requirements imposed on social media companies to prevent corruption and provide transparency of election-related content made available on social media websites. The bill upholds the integrity of elections by ensuring election-related content hosted, posted, and made available on social media websites is not monetized or manipulated.

House Bill 5520 repeals the presumption of competency for minors 14 or older and the presumption of competency for minors under 14. 

House Bill 5561 updates the WV Uniform Trust Code to allow for e-signatures on trust documents. 

House Bill 5593 changes the composition of BRIM to include five voting members: the Chancellor of Higher Education and four citizen members with at least 10 years of experience in the insurance industry appointed by the Governor with the consent of the Senate. 

House Bill 5621 protects workers who defend themselves or others from an attack from being terminated. 

House Bill 5662 adds “person in a position of trust in relation to a child” to code sections relating to child abuse, neglect, and female genital mutilation. 

House Bill 5690 creates the WV Trask Force on Artificial Intelligence to be organized within the Governor’s Office. The appointed members are tasked with defining AI, determining which agencies should be tasked with overseeing artificial intelligence policy, determining best practices for the public sector, and recommending legislation. The bill requires the task force to meet 120 after the bill takes effect and requires a report by July 1, 2025. 

The House is in recess until 6 p.m.

The House returned to session around 6:45 p.m. to hear bills on first reading and receive committee reports.

The House is adjourned until Monday, February 26, 2023 at 10 a.m.

Committee Meetings, today Feb. 23
The Judiciary Committee will meet at 3:45 p.m. in Room 410.
The Committee on Health and Human Resources will meet at 3:45 p.m. in Room 215E. 
The Finance Committee will meet at 4:30 p.m. in Room 460.

Committee Meetings Monday, Feb. 26
The Committee on Political Subdivisions will meet at 9:30 a.m. in Room 434.
The Rules Committee will meet at 9:45 a.m. behind the House Chamber.
The Committee on Government Organization will meet at 1 p.m. in Room 215E.
The Education Committee will meet at 2 p.m. in Room 434.
The Judiciary Committee will meet at 2:30 p.m. in Room 410

The Senate passed 10 bills during Thursday’s floor session.

A sampling of the bills heading to the House of Delegates today:

Senate Bill 675 would require convention and visitor’s bureaus to receive accreditation from an accrediting body on or before June 30, 2026, in order to be eligible for distribution of net proceeds of hotel-motel tax.

Senate Bill 681 would revise the mandatory service obligation for the National Guard Doctor of Medicine or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree program from a minimum of 10 years as a practice obligation, to a mandatory service obligation as prescribed by the Adjutant General.

The language of the bill outlines how the “service obligation” is directly related to tuition reimbursement provided by the National Guard. According to the legislation, the criteria for reimbursement eligibility is at the discretion of the Adjutant General, and no more than two National Guard members may be chosen for reimbursement each calendar year.

Senate Bill 754 would permit new and used motor vehicle dealerships in West Virginia to utilize a search engine to determine if buyers of vehicles have valid motor vehicle insurance.

Senate Bill 763 would protect sensitive military information from public release. Among other records, the bill would legally and officially exempt classified information, intelligence information, certain investigative reports, vulnerability assessments, and information that could potentially “threaten public safety, endanger military personnel, or provide a military advantage to an adversary” from public disclosure.

Senate Bill 768 would provide an exception to the confidentiality of child welfare records to allow the sharing confidential information with law enforcement agencies and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

Senate Bill 773 would expand the powers of law enforcement officers of the National Park Service, to include traffic and parking related offenses.

The Senate is adjourned until tomorrow, Feb. 23, at 10 a.m.

Afternoon Meetings:

Energy at 1 p.m. in 208W

Health at 1 p.m. in 451M

Judiciary at 3 p.m. in 208W

Finance at 3:30 p.m. in 451M

Today, the House of Delegates passed eight bills and amended several others.

Senate Bill 602 repeals the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act and creates cardiac response plans within county boards of education. Teachers, coaches, and other school personnel shall be trained in cardiac emergency response plans. Schools shall hold informational meetings for students, parents, and guardians regarding the warning signs of sudden cardiac arrest in children.

House Bill 4008 changes the time required for providing notice of entry on private land with graves from 10 days to five days.

House Bill 4706 creates an initiative for utility pole rights-of-way and easement mapping. This requires pole owners to provide information to the Department of Economic Development to map the poles. The Department of Economic Development is required to create pole maps.

House Bill 4880 provides a three-year phase-out of the state income tax on all social security benefits for those taxpayers with federal adjusted gross income of a married couple filing a joint return that exceeds $100,000, or $50,000 in the case of a single individual or a married individual filing a separate return.

House Bill 5180 was amended and advanced with an amendment pending and a general right to amend. House Bill 5180 removes requirements to submit certain evidence on behalf of home-schooled children. One amendment added in a change from another bill passed regarding work permits. Another amendment was offered and debated partially, which would add in children cannot be taken out of school if there is a neglect or child abuse case pending, if it was reported by a teacher or school personnel. A motion was offered to advance House Bill 5180 to third with the right to amend and amendment pending. Amendments will be taken up tomorrow before placing the bill up for passage.

The House is adjourned until tomorrow, February 23, 2023 at 11 a.m.

Committee Meetings, today Feb. 22
The Judiciary Committee will meet at 1:30 p.m. in Room 410.
The Education Committee will meet at 1:45 p.m. in Room 434.
The Committee on Technology and Infrastructure will meet at 2:30 p.m. in Room 434.
The Committee on Economic Development and Tourism will meet at 3 p.m. in Room 410.
The Committee on Health and Human Resources will meet at 3 p.m. in Room 215E. 
The Finance Committee will meet at 4:30 p.m. in Room 460. 

Committee Meetings, tomorrow, Feb. 23
The Finance Committee will meet at 9 a.m. in Room 460. 
The Committee on Government Organization will meet at 9 a.m. in Room 215E.
The Judiciary Committee will meet at 9:30 a.m. in Room 410.
The Rules Committee will meet at 10:45 a.m. behind the House Chamber.

Today, the House of Delegates adopted five resolutions and passed seven bills.

House Concurrent Resolution 12 names the bridge carrying CR 008 over Hustead Fork Stream in Taylor County as the “U.S. Marine Private First-Class Calvin Lee Loudin Memorial Bridge.” Loudin served in the Marines during WWII. He has been awarded the Presidential Unit Citation ribbon bar with a star, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, and the Purple Heart. Loudin died in the battle of Sugar Loaf Hill on the Island of Okinawa on May 22, 1945.

House Concurrent Resolution 37 names the bridge carrying WV 152 over Twelvepole Creek in Wayne County as the “U.S. Army PFC Carl. J. Osburn Bridge.” Osburn served in the U.S. Army during WWII. During his service, he was placed in a POW camp in Germany. Despite injury, being held captive, and being starved, Osburn strived to return home and complete his service. Once his service was completed, Osburn returned home to Wayne County, WV.

Senate Bill 668 increases the amount of ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, or phenylpropanolamine a person may purchase annually to 86.4 grams.

Discussion on House Bill 4299 was lengthy as the bill was advanced to third with amendments pending. House Bill 4299 allows teachers, administrators, and personnel to carry concealed firearms and other self-defense items in elementary and secondary schools, after completing training to be a School Protection Officer.

Two amendments were offered, but only one was adopted. The adopted amendment changes the word “may” to “shall” requiring schools to allow teachers, administrators, and support personnel to be SPOs as long as they meet all the requirements and are eligible. Effectively, this bill removes the requirement for a county board to make any policy regarding SPOs.

Proponents of this amendment stated that the amendment makes the bill work. It makes the bill more than “ink on paper.” They stated this is a way to give teachers control. Opponents of the amendment stated the amendment took local control away from counties and schools to determine if they needed SPOs.

Similar to the amendment, proponents of the bill feel this bill provides a means of protection for students and teachers. They stated this gives teachers a way of protecting children should an active shooter situation arise. Opponents stated many teachers do not want this and do not feel comfortable with guns in schools. The opponents mentioned the training and vetting not being enough for SPOs. The bill advances to the Senate.

House Bill 5065 increases the compensation for guardians ad litem from $60 to $105 for out-of-court work and from $80 to $120 for in-court work for abuse and neglect cases. The bill also requires continuing education must be completed to be a guardian ad litem.

House Bill 5361 requires hospitals to offer influenza immunizations to patients prior to discharge from October 1 to March 1 each year.

The House is adjourned until tomorrow, February 22, 2023, at 11 a.m.

Committee Meetings, today, Feb. 21
The Education Committee will meet at 2:45 p.m. in Room 434.
The Finance Committee will meet at 3:15 p.m. in Room 460. 
The Judiciary Committee will meet at 3:30 p.m. in Room 410.
The Committee on Government Organization will meet at 4 p.m. in Room 215E.

Committee Meetings, tomorrow, Feb. 22
The Finance Committee will meet at 9 a.m. in Room 460. 
The Judiciary Committee will meet at 9 a.m. in Room 410.
The Rules Committee will meet at 10:45 a.m. behind the House Chamber.
The Committee on Technology and Infrastructure will meet at 1 p.m. in Room 434.
The Committee on Economic Development and Tourism will meet at 3 p.m. in Room 410.
The Committee on Health and Human Resources will meet at 3 p.m. in Room 215E. 

Today, the House of Delegates adopted 39 House Concurrent Resolutions including:

House Concurrent Resolution 25 names the bridge that carries US 250 over Grave Creek in Cameron, WV, Marshall County as the “U. S. Navy Sonarman First Class William “Bill” C. Harris Memorial Bridge.” Harris served in the Navy during WWII. Harris served as a Rural Mail Carrier for the USPS after his service and was a Commander of the American Legion Post #18. He was an advocate for veterans’ issues and rights. Harris passed away on October 16, 2021. 

House Concurrent Resolution 30 names the bridge that carries US 250 over North Fork Grave Creek in Clouston, WV, Marshall County as the “Jack L. Hart Memorial Bridge”. Hart served in the US Air Force during the Vietnam War. Hart served as a Captain at the former WV State Penitentiary in Moundsville and as a Deputy with the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department. Hart was also a member of the Cameron City Council for 12 years and a member of the American Legion Post #18. Hart passed away on August 27, 2023. 

House Concurrent Resolution 44 names the bridge that carries Harts Run Road (CR 60/14) over Howard Creek in White Sulphur Springs, WV, Greenbrier County as the “Frank Walker Mosley Memorial Bridge”. Mosley served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, earning a Purple Heart after being shot above the eye. Mosely worked for the railroad for a short time after returning home. Eventually, he found himself working at the Greenbrier, where he spent nearly 65 years working in various capacities. He passed away on April 10, 2023. 

The House completed action on Senate Bill 507. The bill repeals the West Virginia EDGE program which is no longer necessary due to the passage of the dual enrollment pilot program last year. 

Twelve bills passed the House, including:

House Bill 5017 creates a statewide permit for mobile food service establishments. The permit will be issued from the vendor’s local or county health department. A vendor in compliance with the issuing health department is in compliance with all health departments. The permit shall be valid for up to a year. No additional fees can be charged for any in-state venter that has received the statewide permit. Each vendor is required to notify the local health department where they will be operating at least 72 hours before operation begins.

House Bill 5159 eliminates the work permit entirely, only requiring age certification. The issuance of age certifications is shifted to be the responsibility of the State Commissioner of Labor, as opposed to the State Superintendent of Schools. The Commissioner must review birth certificates before issuing age certificates. 

House Bill 5175 abolishes the Center for Nursing and creates the Office of Nursing Education and Workforce Development within the Higher Education Policy Commission. The bill moves all the functions of the Center for Nursing to the Office of Nursing Education and Workforce Development. 

House Bill 5553 changes graduation requirements relating to personal finance, computer science, and technology. 

Six of the bills on Second Reading were amended, including:

House Bill 5065 increases the compensation of individuals serving as guardian ad litem. The bill also requires guardian ad litem to have completed all continuing education for serving as guardian ad litem for a child. The Finance Committee amendment makes the bill effective July 1, 2024. An additional amendment adds reporting requirements. 

House Bill 5635 allows for a condition or illness to be listed on the label of a prescription. The bill was amended to require prescribers to ask if the patient wants the condition or illness added to the label. 

Resolutions introduced today can be found here.

The House is adjourned until tomorrow, February 21, 2023, at 11 a.m.

Committee Meetings, today Feb. 20
The Committee on Economic Development and Tourism will meet at 3 p.m. in Room 410.
The Committee on Health and Human Resources will meet at 3:15 p.m. in Room 215E. 
The Committee on Technology and Infrastructure will meet at 3:45 p.m. in Room 434.
The Judiciary Committee will meet at 4:30 p.m. in Room 410. 

Committee Meetings, tomorrow, Feb. 21
The Committee on Fire Departments and EMS will meet at 9:15 a.m. in Room 410.
The Committee on Artificial Intelligence will meet at 10 a.m. in Room 434.
The Rules Committee will meet at 10:45 a.m. behind the House Chamber.
The Finance Committee will meet at 1 p.m. in Room 460. 
The Committee on Government Organization will meet at 1 p.m. in Room 215E.
The Education Committee will meet at 2 p.m. in Room 434.
The Judiciary Committee will meet at 2:30 p.m. in Room 410.