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.

Today, House Resolution 49 was adopted requesting the state name a bridge over Tygart Creek on County 54, Route 14, near Mineral Wells, the Larry W. Border Memorial Bridge in memory of the beloved former delegate from Wood County. A second concurrent resolution, House Resolution 30, was also adopted commemorating the life of the Honorable Virginia Rae “Ginny” Starcher, educator, civic leader, and public servant. These resolution must now be approved by the Senate.

The House reconvened today to pass seven bills, advance 12 bills to third reading, and advance 10 bills to second reading.

Among the seven bills passed was House Bill 2563, which would reduce the daily administrative time required of school counselors and increasing the time actually spent in counseling at-risk students. This would allow for at-risk students to receive more one-on-one time and attention with their counselors.

House Bill 2888, which would allow members of a policemen’s civil service commission to serve on other local boards and commissions, was advanced to third reading along with 11 other bills.

House Bill 2866, which would provide an exception to allow a resident of a dwelling house to discharge a firearm in a lawful manner within five hundred feet, was advanced to second reading along with nine other bills.

The following committees will meet today:
House Finance – 30 minutes following floor session – 460M
House Judiciary – 1 p.m. – 410M

The House is in recess until 5 p.m. today.

*UPDATE*

The House reconvened this evening in order to receive committee reports before adjourning for the weekend.

The House is adjourned until 1 p.m. Monday, April 1.