Today in the House, Senate Bill 430, defining “employment term” in Teachers’ Defined Contribution Retirement System and Senate Bill 431, relating to public employer liability for delinquent retirement contributions were both passed. Also, Senate Bill 448, increasing the number of demonstration dealer plates issued to large commercial vehicles was completed today, meaning that it will go straight to the Governor for official signing.

In addition, five Senate Bills were read for the second time including Senate Bill 383, which would authorize family court judges to appoint counsel in certain contempt cases. There were four Senate Bills on first reading today as well including Senate Bill 145, which would amend election complaint procedures.

House Resolution 32 was adopted honoring the contributions of Governor William Gaston Caperton III to the youth of West Virginia. Senate Concurrent Resolution 7 , Designating Hall Flintlock Model 1819 the official state firearm was adopted. Citations recognizing WVU Law professor Frank Cleckley and Citizens Conservation Corps were also presented today.

Committees Meeting Today:
Political Subdivisions Committee: 1:00 p.m. 215E
Energy, Industry, Labor and Economic Development/Small Business: 1:00 p.m. 460M

Roads and Transportation: 2:00 p.m. 215E
Senior Issues: 3:00 p.m. 215E
Health and Human Resources: 3:30 p.m. 215E

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

The House reconvened this afternoon to pass 18 bills, advance five bills to third reading, and advance two bills to second reading.

House Bill 3163 is one of the 18 bills to pass. This bill would require all debt obligations of the West Virginia parkways authority to be satisfied by February 1, 2020. It would remove tolls on turnpikes when the bonds obtained by those tolls are fulfilled.

House Bill 3112 was also passed. This bill relates to compensation awards to victims of crimes. It would increase the maximum amount that may be awarded for victim relocation costs to $2500 from $2000. Additionally it would allow reasonable travel expenses for a claimant to attend parole hearings.

Among the four bills advanced to third reading was House Bill 2776, which authorizes the Commissioner to issue no more than ten additional special demonstration plates used by new and used dealers of larger commercial type vehicles.

House Bill 2777 was one of the two bill advanced to second reading. This bill would authorize family court judges to appoint counsel in certain contempt cases.

The House is adjourned until tomorrow at 11 a.m.

Today is the 50th day of this legislative session, the last day to consider a bill on third reading in its house of origin. The House met today to pass 32 bills in the morning session.

House Bill 2357 was among the bills passed. This bill relates to sexting by minors. It would require the Attorney General to develop an educational diversion program for minors accused of sexting.

Also passed was House Bill 2513, which would improve enforcement of drugged driving offenses. Anyone who drives a motor vehicle in this state, by doing so, implies consent to a “preliminary breath analysis and a secondary chemical test of either his or her blood, breath, or urine for the purposes of determining the controlled substance and drug content of his or her blood”.

The following committees will meet tomorrow:
House Education – 9 a.m. – 434M
House Judiciary – 9 a.m. – 410M
House Finance – 9:15 a.m. – 460M
House Government Organization – 9:30 a.m. – 215E

The House is in recess until 2:30 p.m. today.

Today as the House recognized World Autism Day on the floor with a citation as well as blue candles on each members desk, 10 bills were passed, including House Bill 3135, generally relating to voting system certification and procedures.

Tomorrow will be the last day House bills are eligible to be passed in the House Chamber with exception for the Budget Bill and because of that, 55 bills were advanced to third reading today including House Bill 2265, relating to the school access safety act. Also, House Bill 3065, was originally on second reading today, but was advanced to 3rd reading and was passed in light of the suspension of the constitutional rule mandating that a bill be read three separate times on different days.

In addition, House Bill 2776, which would increase filing fees in certain civil actions was read for the first time today.

A citation was also awarded to the WVU Rifle Team for their achievements in winning their 15th National Championship last month.

Committees Meeting Today:

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

The House reconvened to pass three bills, advance 10 bills to third reading, and advance 56 bills to second reading.

House Bill 2626, authorizing the Department of Military Affairs and Public Safety to promulgate Legislative Rules was passed. This bill would authorize the Governor’s Committee on Crime, Delinquency and Correction to promulgate a legislative rule relating to Law Enforcement Training and Certification Standards.

House Bill 2754, which relates to further defining a retailer engaging in business in this state for purposes of sales and use taxes was passed along with House Bill 2571, which relates to who may serve as members of the environmental quality board.

Among the 10 bills advanced to third reading was House Bill 2866. This bill would provide an exception to allow a resident of a dwelling house to discharge a firearm in a lawful manner within five hundred feet. This can only be done if the firearm is being discharged with the express or implied knowledge and consent of all residents of that dwelling house, and no other dwelling houses are located within five hundred feet of where the firearm is discharged.

One of the 56 bills advanced to third reading was House Bill 2128. This bill would provide that all employees have the right to review and copy the contents of their personnel file.

The following committees will meet tomorrow:
Government Organization – 2 p.m. – 215E
Health and Human Resources – 4 p.m. – 215E

The House is adjourned until 11 a.m. tomorrow.