Blog – Page 297

Justin J. Marcum Sworn In

Swearing-In Ceremony

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January 17, 2012

Justin J. Marcum (D-Mingo) was sworn in to the House of Delegates by Judge J.D. Bean Monday evening. Marcum was appointed to fill the vacancy in the 20th District by Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin earlier Monday.

Marcum will finish the remainder of former Del. K. Steve Kominar’s term, following Kominar’s resignation on Sunday. Marcum will be representing Mingo and Wayne counties.

Marcum is a graduate of Marshall University and the Appalachian School of Law and is currently a Mingo County Prosecuting Attorney. He has also worked in the past as an underground coal miner.

Legislators Recognize Dr. Martin Luther King

Around the Capitol

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January 16, 2012

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Lawmakers, civic leaders, social activists, members of the West Virginia’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission and others took part in the Annual Bell-Ringing Ceremony honoring the legacy and life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, on this his birthday and national holiday.

Following a march from the Asbury United Methodist Church the replica Liberty Bell, which is located on the North Side of the Capitol Building, was rung by visiting school children along with the Governor and others.

It’s the mission of the Martin Luther King, Jr. West Virginia Holiday Commission to provide programs celebrating the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The programs reflect the principles and philosophies of nonviolent direct actions to achieve the goals of peace, freedom and equality for all people of which Dr King represented, preached and lived.

House Introduces 10 Bills

House Floor Session

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January 16, 2012

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Many House members stood up and spoke about Martin Luther King Jr. to honor him today.

After honoring Martin Luther King Jr. the House introduced a total of 10 bills. Among these bills was House Bill 4077 which, would allow a dental hygienist to place dental sealants on a patient’s teeth without first having to have a dental examination by a licensed dentist.

Four bills were read for the first time today in the House. These bills were House Bill 2402, House Bill 2521, House Bill 3128 and House Bill 3132.

The following committees will meet today:
Finance 1 P.M. – 460M
Health and Human Resources 4 P.M. – 215E
Judiciary 2 P.M. – 410M
Government Organization 1:30 P.M. – 215E
Education 2 P.M. – 434M

The following committees will meet tomorrow:
Health and Human Resources 9 A.M.- 215E
Government Organization 1 P.M. – 215E
Judiciary 1 P.M. – 410M

The House is adjourned until 11 A.M. tomorrow.

Senate Introduces 16 Bills and Honors Martin Luther King

Senate Floor Session

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January 16, 2012

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The Appalachian Children’s Chorus began today’s Senate floor session by singing two West Virginia classics, “Home Among the Hills” and “Country Roads.” After the chorus left the floor, Senator Unger spoke briefly about the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. In addition, 16 bills were introduced including Senate Bill 198, which would require Medicaid dental coverage for mothers of newborns, and Senate Bill 186, which would provide salary equity supplement payments to teachers and service personnel.

The following committee meetings will be held this afternoon:

Judiciary– 3 p.m.- 208W

Finance– 3 p.m.- 451M

Pensions and Retirement– 2 p.m.- 208W
Agriculture– 2 p.m.- 451M

The following committee meeting will be held tomorrow morning:

Economic Development– 9 a.m.- 451M
Transportation and Infrastructure– 10 a.m.-208W

The Senate will reconvene tomorrow at 11 a.m.

Senate Introduces 17 Bills During Brief Floor Session

Senate Floor Session

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January 13, 2012

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This afternoon, the Senate convened briefly and introduced 17 bills during the floor session. Some of those bills include Senate Bill 173, which provides worker’s compensation benefits under certain circumstances for citizens with mental illness and Senate Bill 178, which would make it unlawful to harm police dogs.

The Senate also adopted Senate Resolution 4, which supports recommendations of WV Partnership for Elder Living’s Make a Plan for Alzheimer’s Final Report and Recommendations.

The Senate will reconvene Monday, January 16 at 1:00 p.m.

House Introduces 28 Bills

House Floor Session

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January 13, 2012

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During this afternoon’s floor session, the House introduced a total of 28 bills.

Among these bills was House Bill 4067, which would require a driller or owner of a natural gas well who contaminates a groundwater aquifer to remediate the aquifer with the best available technology until it meets the standards of the Clean Water Act. The bill requires the system to be part of the state Water Resources Plan.

The House also introduced House Bill 4049, which would require the Department of Environmental Protection to maintain an Office of Internal Auditing.

The House is adjourned until 1 P.M. on Monday January 16, 2012

House Honors Walter E. Jack Rollins

House Floor Session

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January 12, 2012

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During this afternoon’s floor session, the House honored Mineral County native Walter E. Jack Rollins with a citation.

Rollins was an American musician who co-wrote “Here Comes Peter Cottontail,” and “Frosty the Snowman.” Jack Rollins also wrote “Smokey the Bear” for the public-service mascot Smokey Bear, and co-wrote many country songs for artists such as Hank Snow, George Jones and Eddy Arnold.

The House also adopted House Resolution 4, which declares today “Transportation Day” at the Capitol.

A total of 46 bills were introduced including House Bill 4005, which would prohibit texting while driving.

The following Committees will meet today:
Finance – 1 P.M. 460M
Judiciary – 1 P.M. 410M

The following Committees will meet tomorrow:
Finance – 9 A.M. 460M
Judiciary – 9A.M. 410M

The House is adjourned until 11 A.M. tomorrow.

Senate Introduces Eight Bills, Adopts Highway Resolution

Senate Floor Session

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January 12, 2012

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The Senate introduced eight bills during a brief morning floor session. Included in those bills were Senate Bill 161, which requires people to report child abuse; penalties and Senate Bill 162, which requires utility companies to submit least-cost plans.

The Senate also adopted Senate Resolution 3, which recognizes the importance of the state’s highway system and urges its funding.

The Senate Finance Committee will meet today at 3 p.m. in room 451M

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

Budget Bill Introduced Following State of the State Address

House Floor Session

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January 11, 2012

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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 2012 State of the State Address.

Both the House and Senate met briefly following the Governor’s speech in order to introduce the Budget Bill.

The following committees will meet tomorrow morning:

Senate Finance-9:30 a.m.-451M
House Finance-9 a.m.-460M

Both chambers will reconvene tomorrow at 11:00 a.m.

House Convenes 2nd Regular Session of 80th Legislature

House Floor Session

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January 11, 2012

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This afternoon, the House of Delegates convened for the 2nd Regular Session of the 80th Legislature.

After adopting procedural resolutions the House adopted House Concurrent Resolution 1, which extends a formal invitation to the Governor to deliver the State of the State address tonight at 7 P.M.

The House also introduced the first bills of the session, all of which were carryover bills from last year’s regular session.

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

The following committee will meet tomorrow:
Finance-9 A.M.-460M

The House will reconvene at 6:50 P.M. this evening.