The Senate convened this morning, the last day of the 2013 Regular Legislative Session, to complete 20 bills and amend and pass 18 bills, which were sent back to the House of Delegates for consideration.

Bills completed include House Bill 2717 , requiring that deputy sheriffs be issued ballistic vests upon law-enforcement certification. The bill requires the county commission of each county to expend from the general county fund, upon request and requisition by the sheriff, the necessary expenses of providing the vest.

House Bill 2513 was one bill the Senate passed this morning, improving enforcement of drugged driving offenses. Under this bill,any person who drives a motor vehicle in West Virginia is considered to have given implied consent for a secondary chemical test of the breath or of the blood for controlled substances or drugs.

The Senate is in recess until 1:30 p.m.

UPDATE:

The Senate reconvened this afternoon to complete eight bills and pass nine bills.

House Bill 3160 was one bill to complete legislation this afternoon. It creates a pilot initiative on governance of schools jointly established by adjoining counties. One school this bill will effect is a school being built that will serve students from both Lewis and Gilmer County. The bill will allow for a School Board comprised of two members from each county and a one state-level member.

Bills passed this afternoon include House Bill 3020 , also known as the “Michael Cunningham Bill”. This bill will improve boat dock and marina safety. Cunningham was killed in a tragic electrical boat accident late last year.

The Senate is in recess until 4:00 p.m.

The Senate convened this morning to complete legislation on 17 bills, pass 14 bills, and adopt three Senate Resolutions.

Bills that completed legislation in the Senate today include House Bill 2548 , increases the fine and jail time for an assault or battery against an athletic official who is acting in an official capacity. Previously the fine for an assault was between $50 and $100; now, the fine is no more than $500. The jail time has been increased from between 24 hours and 30 days to not more than 6 months. The offender can be charged a fine, jail time, or both.

The bills that passed in the Senate today include House Bill 2453 , also know as “Skylar’s Law”, expands the Amber Alert Plan. Previously, the plan only included abducted children. This bill will activate Amber Alerts for children who are believed to be missing.

Senate Resolution 66 was one of three resolutions adopted today. It recognized West Virginia’s sister-state relationship with Taiwan.

UPDATE:

The Senate reconvened this afternoon to concur and complete one bill and advance 54 bills to third reading.

The only bill to complete legislation this afternoon in the Senate was Senate Bill 243 , which modifies an existing Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) rule which establishes an air quality operating permits program for sources of air pollution consistent with the requirements of Title V of the federal Clean Air Act (CAA) and the underlying federal regulation. The rule includes requirements relating to obtaining a permit, submitting an application, paying fees, issuing a permit, and reporting and monitoring information.

The Senate will reconvene tomorrow morning at 11am.

The Senate convened this morning to concur and complete four bills, pass three bills, advance 28 bills to second reading, and 25 to first reading.

Bills that completed legislation today include House Bill 2471 , prohibiting the restriction or otherwise lawful possession, use, carrying, transfer, transportation, storage or display of a firearm or ammunition during a declared state of emergency.

House Bill 2497 , one of three bills that passed unanimously today, relates to broadband deployment projects. The bill will increase the minimum data rates & other minimum services required in broadband service.

Bills advanced to third reading today include House Bill 2357 , relating to sexting by minors.

Finally, the Senate received a proclamation from the Governor extending the Legislative Session by six days to solely consider the budget bill.

The following committees will meet today:

The Committee on Education will meet today at 2:00 p.m. in 451M.
The Committee on Finance will meet today at 3:00 p.m. in 451M.
The Committee on Judiciary will meet today at 3:00 p.m. in 208W.

The Senate is in recess until today at 5:00 p.m.

UPDATE

The Senate reconvened this evening to receive committee reports and read several bills a first time.

Bills read a first time include House Bill 2265, relating to the school access safety act.

The Senate will reconvene tomorrow at 11:00 a.m.