Blog – Page 284

Legislature Recognizes Veterans’ Visibility Day

Around the Capitol

admin

-

February 18, 2013

Veterans’ Visibility Day was held today at the Capitol to honor West Virginia’s active and retired military veterans and to give them a chance to express their concerns to the legislators.

Today’s observance was made up of two separate ceremonies: the first was held in the House Chamber at 9:00am and the second was held in the Senate Chamber at 11:00am.

Senator Erik Wells, a veteran and current chairman of the Senate Military Committee and the Interim Veterans’ Affairs Committee, spoke during the ceremony in the Senate Chamber this morning expressing his gratitude for our men and women in uniform serving our state and country. Senator Wells introduced Senate Resolution 11 today which designated February 18, 2013 as Veterans’ Visibility Day.

Earlier in the House Chamber, Congressman Rahall received the 2012 Harry S. Truman Award from the National Guard Association of the United States (NGAUS) in recognition of his legislative efforts in support of the men and women serving in the National Guard.

House Introduces Pipeline Safety Bill

House Floor Session

admin

-

February 15, 2013

0

The West Virginia House of Delegates convened Friday morning for the third day of the 2013 Regular Session.

The House introduced 46 bills, including 12 bills requested by the Governor. One of the bills was House Bill 2505, which would increase civil penalties for pipeline safety violations.

The House will reconvene Monday at 1 pm.

Committees meeting Monday:
Health and Human Resources Committee – 10am – 215E

Third Day of Session Sees 29 Bills Introduced in the Senate

Senate Floor Session

admin

-

February 15, 2013

0

The Senate reconvened today at 11 a.m. to introduce 29 bills.

Bills introduced included Senate Bill 170, which would create the Keep Jobs in West Virginia Act and and Senate Bill 181, which would clarify drugged driving offence, a proposal outlined by the Governor.

The following committees will meet Monday, February 18, 2013:
Conformations Committee – 12:30 p.m. – 451M
Banking and Insurance Committee – 2:00 p.m. – 208W
Agricultural Committee – 2:15 p.m. – 451M

The Senate is adjourned until 1 p.m. on Monday February 18, 2013.

19 Bills Introduced in the Senate

Senate Floor Session

admin

-

February 14, 2013

0

Introduced in the Senate today were 19 bills during the brief floor session. Resolutions adopted included Senate Resolution 8, which designated February 14, 2013 as Corrections Day and Senate Resolution 9, honoring Congressional Medal of Honor recipients.

The following committees will meet today:
Joint Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure-1 p.m.-House Chamber
Health and Human Resources-1 p.m.-451M
Education Committee-2 p.m.-451M
Finance Committee-3 p.m.-451M
Judiciary Committee-3 p.m.-208W

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

House Introduces 36 BIlls, Makes Today Corrections Day

House Floor Session

admin

-

February 14, 2013

0

The House of Delegates met today at 11 am for the second day of the Regular Session.

The color guard from the Correctional Facilities presented the colors to start today’s floor session.

Two citations were passed, one honoring the Westside High School women’s basketball team 2012 State Championship. The Second citation honored two Medal of Honor Recipients from the state.

House Resolution 7 was also adopted, making February 14, 2013 Corrections Day.

The House introduced 36 bills.

Committees meeting today:
House Finance Committee – 1 pm – 460M
House Judiciary Committee – 1 pm – 410M
Joint Committee on Transportation – 1pm – House Chamber
Education Committee – 3 pm – 434M

Committees meeting tomorrow morning:
House Education Committee – 9 am – 434M

Legislators Convene to Hear State of the State Address

House Floor Session

admin

-

February 13, 2013

0

The House and Senate reconvened at 7:00 p.m. this evening for a joint session in the House Chamber for the Governor’s presentation of the State of the State Address.

Both the House and the Senate met briefly following the address to introduce the proposed Budget Bill.

BUDGET BILLS
House Bill 2014
Senate Bill 143

The following committees will meet tomorrow morning:
Senate Finance- 9:30 a.m. – 451M
House Finance-9 a.m.- 460M
House Government Organization-9 a.m.- 215E

Both will reconvene in their respective chambers at 11:00 a.m.

House Convenes for First Day of the 81st Legislature

House Floor Session

admin

-

February 13, 2013

0

This afternoon, the House of Delegates convened for the 1st Regular Session of the 81st Legislature.

After adopting procedural resolutions the House adopted House Concurrent Resolution 3, which extends a formal invitation to the Governor to deliver the State of the State address tonight at 7 P.M.

The House also passed House Concurrent Resolution 3, making February 13, 2013 Nurses Unity Day.

The following committee will meet today:
Joint Finance-2 P.M.-460M

The following committee will meet tomorrow:
House Finance-9 A.M.-460M
Government Organization-9 A.M.-215E

The House is in recess and will reconvene at 6:50 P.M. this evening.

Senate Convenes For The First Session of the 81st W.Va. Legislature

Senate Floor Session

admin

-

February 13, 2013

0

The State Senate convened the First Regular Session of the 81st Legislature today at noon. After establishing a quorum, the Senate introduced 142 bills.

The body then adopted Senate Resolution 6, which created a Select Committee on Children in Poverty, and Senate Resolution 7, which designated February 13 as West Virginia Nurses Unity Day. The Senate was informed that the House adopted House Concurrent Resolution 3 , which extends a formal invitation to the Governor to deliver the State of the State Address tonight at 7 P.M.

The following committees will meet today:
Government Organization-2 P.M.-208W
Economic Development-1 P.M.-451M

The following committees will meet tomorrow:
Finance Committee-9:30 A.M.-451M
Transportation and Infrastructure-1 P.M.-House Chamber

The Senate is in recess until 6:45 P.M.

House Republicans Plan to Push Jobs, Education Reform

House Floor Session

admin

-

February 12, 2013

0

The House Minority held a press conference today detailing their plan for the upcoming Regular Session starting Wednesday. House Minority Leader Tim Armstead (R-Kanawha) highlighted the caucus’s initiative for the upcoming session, including education reform and creating jobs.
“Too many of our fellow West Virginians are looking for work. Other are trying to work two low-paying jobs to make ends meet and feed their families.”

Education reform was the second main point highlighted during the conference. Armstead stressed that, although on the brink of education reform, we need to keep the focus on the students.

“We must remove the red tape and top-heavy bureaucracy that dictates every move from Charleston and allow our principals to administer their schools, our teachers to teach and our students to learn,” Armstead said.

Armstead also announced the leadership appointments for the House Republican office. Daryl Cowles (R-Morgan) was announced as the House Minority Whip while Patrick Lane (R-Kanawha) was appointed as the caucus chair.

Other appointments included Carol Miller (R-Cabell) as the new member advisor, Eric Nelson (R-Kanawha) as the Republican Conference Director of Fiscal Policy, John O’Neal IV (R-Raleigh) as the Republican Conference Director of Policy Initiatives, and John Ellem (R-Wood) as the caucus ethics advisor

Senator Cookman Takes Oath of Office

Swearing-In Ceremony

admin

-

January 31, 2013

0

Senator Donald H. Cookman was sworn in this afternoon to the State Senate, filling in the vacancy left behind by former Senator Walt Helmick. The Senator’s brother-in-law, the Honorable Tom Keadle, presided over the swearing-in ceremony and delivered the oath.

The Senator’s wife Paula Cookman, son Donnie Cookman, and grandson Sam Cookman were present for the ceremony, along with many friends and officials of the state.

“I am overwhelmed and humbled to start this new chapter of my life,” said Senator Cookman. “I am delighted to be here and be a part of the legislative process.”

Governor Earl Ray Tomblin appointed the Senator to the position on January 23, 2013 after Helmick left the Senate to fill the position of Agriculture Commissioner.