Today, the House of Delegates adopted four resolutions and passed 12 bills, completing action on one bill. 

House Concurrent Resolution 21 names a bridge that carries I-70 over US 53 and Gabe’s Creek in Kanawha County as the “Louie Patton Memorial Bridge.” Patton served in the US Army during the Vietnam War. Patton helped construct I-19 from Charleston to Flatwoods and assisted in the construction of the Toyota Plant in Buffalo, WV. Patton passed away on July 11, 2020.

House Concurrent Resolution 67 names the bridge that carries US Route 60 over Hurrian Creek near the intersection of US Route 60 and State Route 34 as the “U.S. Army SGT Kenneth R. Lucas Memorial Bridge.” Lucas served in the US Army as a Sergeant in the Tank Company, 14th Armored Cavalry. After his service, he returned to WV and worked at Union Carbide for many years. Lucas passed away on February 28, 2023.  

House Bill 600 completed legislative action. The bill amends the criteria for reenlistment and retention bonuses for the WV National Guard. The bill allows the Adjutant General to determine eligibility for bonuses based on satisfactory service and military training and expertise. 

House Bill 4999 expands the exception of spousal privilege to include cases of crime against grandchildren, minors, or any person with a mental disability. 

House Bill 5031 adds human smuggling under the section of the code related to human trafficking and provides for the same penalties. The bill defines “illegal aliens,” and states illegal aliens are not eligible for restitution. However, the state can receive the restitution. 

House Bill 5105 removes the requirement that students attending virtual public schools and private or parochial schools be vaccinated unless they want to participate in WVSSAC-sanctioned athletics. The bill was amended Friday to provide for a religious exemption to vaccinations. 

Proponents of the bill stated the amended bill gives parents the choice for their child’s health. Proponents stated whether they chose to vaccinate should be between them and their God. They also stated that just because there is an exemption doesn’t mean people won’t vaccinate.

Opponents stated that having this exemption puts the state at risk of spread of nearly eradicated diseases. They stated vaccines are needed to protect children. Other opponents felt the bill didn’t go far enough for religious freedom. 

The bill passed with 57 in favor and 41 opposed. The bill advances to the Senate. 

Resolutions introduced today can be viewed here. 

The House is in recess until 4 p.m.

Committee Meetings, today Feb. 26
The Committee on Government Organization will meet at 2:30 p.m. in Room 215E.
The Finance Committee will meet at 2:45 p.m. in Room 460.
The Judiciary Committee will meet at 3 p.m. in Room 410
The Education Committee will meet at 3:30 p.m. in Room 434.

Committee Meetings tomorrow, Feb. 27 
The Committee on Economic Development and Tourism will meet at 3 p.m. in Room 410.

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.