Blog – Page 303

Complete Streets

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April 13, 2013

Passage of Legislation Aims to Make Roads Safer for All

The streets of West Virginia will now be a safer place for motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians. The Complete Streets Act completed legislative action Thursday and is currently awaiting the Governor’s signature.

The Act is what lead-sponsor Senator Robert Beach (D-Monongalia) calls a “mind set.” The bill wouldn’t mandate the Department of Highways to make any changes to their current policies, but instead urges the department to consider the many different forms of transportation other than automobiles when constructing roads in the future.

The bill would also establish the “Complete Streets Advisory Board.” This board would be made up of 16 members, including members of the Department of Highways and citizens appointed by the Governor.

Laws similar to the one that just passed the West Virginia Legislature have been passed in over 20 other states and over 200 municipalities all across the United States. These acts are all part of a growing effort across the country to ensure all who travel roads in America are safe. This movement started in 1971, when the Oregon Legislature passed a bill known as the “Bike Bill” which required all roads built by the Oregon Department of Transportation in the future to accommodate bicycles and pedestrians. This bill was the first of its kind, starting a movement that continues to this day.

Last year, a similar proposal was introduced in the West Virginia House of Delegates by Delegate Nancy Guthrie (D-Kanawha), first as a bill, then later as a House Concurrent Resolution. Neither bill made it out of their respective committees. This session, an identical House Bill (HB 2494) was introduced by Delegate Margaret Staggers (D-Fayette) along with the Senate version (SB 158) that passed both chambers Wednesday.

In the last seven years, 206 pedestrians and cyclists were killed by vehicles while over 3,000 people were injured in West Virginia, according to a study conducted by West Virginia University. Lawmakers supporting this bill hope it would not only help save lives but also save the state medical costs by reducing the number of these injuries.

Virginia and Maryland, along with six regions in West Virginia, have adopted measures that include complete street-type policies.

House Completes Legislative Action on Three Bills

House Floor Session

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April 13, 2013

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The House met today to complete legislation on three bills.

Senate Bill 185, which relates to alternative-fuel motor vehicles and qualified refueling infrastructure tax credits and Senate Bill 190, which relates to public-private transportation projects funding, both completed legislation. Senate Bill 460, which exempts certain residents’ active duty military pay from state income tax.

Eighteen bills have been amended, passed, and sent back to the Senate. Senate Bill 394 was one of those bills. It relates to scholarships for dependent children of state troopers who die in performance of duty. Senate Bill 22, requiring maternity services coverage for all health insurance plan dependents in certain circumstances, was also amended and passed.

The conference committee for Senate Bill 265 will meet at 2 p.m. in 252.

UPDATE:

The House amended, passed and sent back to the Senate four bills including Senate Bill 172, relating to nonintoxicating beer distributor licensees and also completed two bills including Senate Bill 630, relating to Chief Technology Officer’s duties with regard to security of government information and Senate Bill 470, permitting wine sale on Sunday mornings at fairs and festivals.

Also, two House Resolutions including House Resolution 37, recognizing the 24th Anniversary of the “Doc for the Day” program and House Resolution 38, memorizing the life of the Honorable Loutellus M. Stout, farmer, association executive and public servant.

The House will reconvene at 4:00 p.m. today

The Senate Convenes for the Final Day of the 2013 Regular Legislative Session

Senate Floor Session

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April 13, 2013

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The Senate convened this morning, the last day of the 2013 Regular Legislative Session, to complete 20 bills and amend and pass 18 bills, which were sent back to the House of Delegates for consideration.

Bills completed include House Bill 2717 , requiring that deputy sheriffs be issued ballistic vests upon law-enforcement certification. The bill requires the county commission of each county to expend from the general county fund, upon request and requisition by the sheriff, the necessary expenses of providing the vest.

House Bill 2513 was one bill the Senate passed this morning, improving enforcement of drugged driving offenses. Under this bill,any person who drives a motor vehicle in West Virginia is considered to have given implied consent for a secondary chemical test of the breath or of the blood for controlled substances or drugs.

The Senate is in recess until 1:30 p.m.

UPDATE:

The Senate reconvened this afternoon to complete eight bills and pass nine bills.

House Bill 3160 was one bill to complete legislation this afternoon. It creates a pilot initiative on governance of schools jointly established by adjoining counties. One school this bill will effect is a school being built that will serve students from both Lewis and Gilmer County. The bill will allow for a School Board comprised of two members from each county and a one state-level member.

Bills passed this afternoon include House Bill 3020 , also known as the “Michael Cunningham Bill”. This bill will improve boat dock and marina safety. Cunningham was killed in a tragic electrical boat accident late last year.

The Senate is in recess until 4:00 p.m.

House Passes Feed To Achieve Act and Budget Bill

House Floor Session

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April 12, 2013

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The House reconvened this evening to pass 20 bills, advance 29 bills to third reading, and three bills to second reading.

Of the 20 bills passed was Senate Bill 437, which would regulate commercial dog-breeding operations. Senate Bill 663, which would create the Feed to Achieve Act. This bill would provide free and nutritious breakfasts and lunches to students in public schools, was also passed. In addition to those, House Bill 2014, the budget bill, passed as well. This bill would make apprpriations of public money out of the treasury in accordance with section fifty-one, article six of the constitution.

Senate Bill 470, which would permit wine sale on Sunday mornings at fairs and festivals and Senate Bill 460, which would exempt certain residents’ active duty military pay from state income tax, were both advanced to third reading.

One of the bills advanced to second reading was Senate Bill 521, which would create amnesty program for certain drivers with suspended or revoked licenses.

Vol. XXIV Issue 7

Cheyenne DeBolt

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April 12, 2013

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House Passes Prison Overcrowding Bill, Senate Bill 371

House Floor Session

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April 12, 2013

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Today during the morning session, the House passed 15 Senate Bills including Senate Bill 371, genreally relating to prison overcrowding and also completed legislation on four Senate Bills, including Senate Bill 331, permitting Courthouse Facility Improvement Authority to issue bonds.

The House also completed legislative action on two House Bills including House Bill 2542, relating to publication of the Senate Register and House Bill 2979, relating to broadband deployment projects.

Also, the House adopted House Concurrent Resolution 107, expressing support for the President’s proposal to increase minimum wage from $7.25 to $9.00 and hour as well as House Concurrent Resolution 140. Six Senate Concurrent Resolutions were also adopted in addition to six Senate Concurrent Resolutions.

The House will reconvene today at 3:00 p.m.

Senate Passes

Senate Floor Session

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April 12, 2013

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The Senate convened this morning to complete legislation on 17 bills, pass 14 bills, and adopt three Senate Resolutions.

Bills that completed legislation in the Senate today include House Bill 2548 , increases the fine and jail time for an assault or battery against an athletic official who is acting in an official capacity. Previously the fine for an assault was between $50 and $100; now, the fine is no more than $500. The jail time has been increased from between 24 hours and 30 days to not more than 6 months. The offender can be charged a fine, jail time, or both.

The bills that passed in the Senate today include House Bill 2453 , also know as “Skylar’s Law”, expands the Amber Alert Plan. Previously, the plan only included abducted children. This bill will activate Amber Alerts for children who are believed to be missing.

Senate Resolution 66 was one of three resolutions adopted today. It recognized West Virginia’s sister-state relationship with Taiwan.

UPDATE:

The Senate reconvened this afternoon to concur and complete one bill and advance 54 bills to third reading.

The only bill to complete legislation this afternoon in the Senate was Senate Bill 243 , which modifies an existing Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) rule which establishes an air quality operating permits program for sources of air pollution consistent with the requirements of Title V of the federal Clean Air Act (CAA) and the underlying federal regulation. The rule includes requirements relating to obtaining a permit, submitting an application, paying fees, issuing a permit, and reporting and monitoring information.

The Senate will reconvene tomorrow morning at 11am.

House Advances Prison Overcrowding Bill And Budget Bill To Third Reading

House Floor Session

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April 11, 2013

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The House reconvened this afternoon to complete the special calendar.

Thirty-nine bills were read and advanced to third reading. Senate Bill 371, which relates to jail overcrowding. The bill clarifies that offenses subject to graduated sanctions for probationers and parolees are not applicable to new criminal conduct other than minor traffic violations and simple possession of controlled substances as virtually all West Virginia offenses or one or the other. This bill along with Senate Bill 481, which relates to juvenile mental health treatment, advanced to third reading.

House Bill 2014 was also advanced to third reading. This bill relates to the budget, it would make appropriations of public money out of the treasury in accordance with section fifty-one, article six of the Constitution.

Senate Bill 172, which relates to nonintoxicating beer distributor licensees and Senate Bill 414, which clarifies hunting and fishing license-issuing authorities were both advanced to second reading.

The House is adjourned until tomorrow at 11 a.m.

Senate Concurs and Completes Four Bills, Passes Three

Senate Floor Session

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April 11, 2013

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The Senate convened this morning to concur and complete four bills, pass three bills, advance 28 bills to second reading, and 25 to first reading.

Bills that completed legislation today include House Bill 2471 , prohibiting the restriction or otherwise lawful possession, use, carrying, transfer, transportation, storage or display of a firearm or ammunition during a declared state of emergency.

House Bill 2497 , one of three bills that passed unanimously today, relates to broadband deployment projects. The bill will increase the minimum data rates & other minimum services required in broadband service.

Bills advanced to third reading today include House Bill 2357 , relating to sexting by minors.

Finally, the Senate received a proclamation from the Governor extending the Legislative Session by six days to solely consider the budget bill.

The following committees will meet today:

The Committee on Education will meet today at 2:00 p.m. in 451M.
The Committee on Finance will meet today at 3:00 p.m. in 451M.
The Committee on Judiciary will meet today at 3:00 p.m. in 208W.

The Senate is in recess until today at 5:00 p.m.

UPDATE

The Senate reconvened this evening to receive committee reports and read several bills a first time.

Bills read a first time include House Bill 2265, relating to the school access safety act.

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

House Completes Legislative Action On 17 Bills

House Floor Session

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April 11, 2013

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The House met today to complete legislation on 17 bills.

Of the 17 bills passed was Senate Bill 387, which relates to family court judge supervision of criminal background investigations. This bill would grant family court judges the authority to compel and supervise investigation on the background of a criminal when appropriate.

House Bill 2815 was also completed. This bill would clarify and modify the process of appointing and terminating guardians for minors in the primary context of administration of estates and trusts. This bill addresses who may file a petition for guardianship of a minor, venue, interaction with other court cases, service requirements, circumstances that may warrant appointment of a guardian, and more.

The House also adopted House Resolution 35 today. This resolution recognizes the 100th year of the West Virginia Division of Highways.

The House is in recess until 1:30 p.m. today.