The House convened this morning to pass Senate Bill 359, which would reform the state’s education system. An extended school calendar, a greater emphasis on qualifications for new teachers being hired, and less of adding planning time for teachers are some of the aspects of the legislation. The bill, which passed the Senate on Monday, is the second bill this session to pass both chambers.

The House also passed eleven other bills, including House Bill 2534, which would require pawn shops to see photo identification when purchasing items.

House Bill 2463, which would remove the part of the state code allowing the sterilization of persons considered mentally incompetent, was read for the second time. On first reading were four bills, including House Bill 2583, which would establish a uniform system for sexual assault forensic examinations.

House Concurrent Resolution 12, which would make March 31st “West Virginia State Trooper Day,” and HCR 17, which would create the “State Police Cpl. Marshall Lee Bailey and Trooper Eric Michael Workman Memorial Interchange” in Clay County, were both adopted unanimously.

The House will reconvene on Monday, March 25, 2013, at 11am.

Committees meeting Monday:

House Finance Committee – 9:15am – 460M
House Health and Human Resources Committee – 10am – 215E

On the floor today, twelve bills were read for a second time. One of these bills were,
Senate Bill 359, the bill that is making major reforms in our education system, and after a lengthy debate today, five amendments were considered and rejected. The bill was advanced to third reading and will be formally voted on tomorrow.

Also, three bills were passed today including House Bill 2815, which would clarify and modify the process of appointing and terminating guardians for minors.

Three citations were presented to those participating in Higher Education day at the Capitol, Toyota, and Kendyl Ryan for the “Gear Up Youth of the Year Award.”

Committees Meeting Today:

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

The House of Delegates met at 11am this morning, the 36th day of session.

House Resolution 20, which would honor the survivors and victims of the 1972 Blacksville Mine Fire, and House Concurrent Resolutions 10, 18, 19, 20, 21, 30, 47, and 63 were all adopted.

Three bills, House Bills 2780, 2815, and 2842, were read for the second time. On first reading were twelve bills, including Senate Bill 359, which would reform the education system.

The George Washington High School Volleyball team was recognized with a citation honoring their 2012 state championship. A citation to mark Self-Injury Awareness Day was also issued.

The House will reconvene tomorrow at 11am.

Committees meeting today:

House Finance Committee – 1pm – 460M
House Education Committee – 2pm – 434M
House Government Organization Committee – 2pm – 215E

The House of Delegates met this morning for the 35th day of the 2013 Regular Session.

House Bill 2861, which relates to the enrollment of at-risk students in public school, was passed unanimously. House Concurrent Resolutions 45, 46, and 58 were also adopted. House Bills 2780, 2815, and 2845 were read for the first time.

House Resolution 24, which made March 19, 2013 “West Virginia State University Day,” was adopted.

The George Washington High School Men’s and Women’s swim teams were honored with a citation from the House congratulating their 2012 state championship wins.

Committees Meeting Today:

House Agriculture Committee – 8:15am – 215E
House Natural Resources Committee – 8:45am – 215E
House Veterans Affairs & Homeland Security – 9:15am – 460M
House Pensions & Retirement Committee – 10am – 460M
House Banking & Insurance Committee – 10am – 215E
House Political Subdivision Committee – 1pm – 215E
House Energy, Industry & Labor, Economic Development &Small Business Committee – 1pm – 460M
House Roads and Transportation Committee – 2pm – 215E
House Senior Issues Committee – 3pm – 215E
House Senior Issues Committee – 3pm – 215E
House Health & Human Resources Committee – 4pm – 215E

**UPDATE**

The House of Delegates reconvened this afternoon to receive committee reports. One of the bills, Senate Bill 359, regarding education reform, was one of the bills reported to the House floor.

The House will reconvene tomorrow at 11 a.m.