Blog – Page 307

Marcellus Bill Gets Advanced To Third Reading

House Floor Session

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March 7, 2011

Today in the House, three bills were sent to third reading for the next floor session and eight bills were advanced to second reading.

The House also stood in honor for friend and fellow lawmaker who passed away last fall. Sam J. Argento served the West Virginia Legislature for six years and was memorialized with the adoption of House Resolution 34.

Among the bills read a second time, a bill that would create the Marcellus Gas and Manufacturing Act was sent to third reading. Senate Bill 465 was advanced with a restricted right to an amendment.

Senate Bill 413 was also read a second time on the floor. This bill would change the title of the Racing Commissioner’s secretary title to executive director.

A bill that would provide for the continuation of the Highway Design-Build Pilot Program was furthered as well. Senate Bill 282 would extended the program until June 2013.

The following committees will meet today:
Education Sub. Committee C regarding Senate Bill 592– 12 p.m.- 434M
Education Sub. Committee B regarding Senate Bill 373– 12:30 p.m.- 434M
Finance– 1 p.m.- 460M
Judiciary– 1:30 p.m.- 410M
Education– 2 p.m.- 434M
Health and Human Resources– 4 p.m.- 215E

The following committees will meet tomorrow:
Finance– 9:30 a.m.-460M

The House will stand in brief recess until 5:30 p.m.

In a brief evening session, the House heard numerous committee reports and one bill completed legislation.

House Bill 2708 would remove a 12-month limitation on certain agreements between or among law-enforcement agencies. This bill was sent to the Governor and is now awaiting his signature.

The following committees will meet tomorrow:
Judiciary– 8:30 a.m.- 410M
Education– 9 a.m.- 434M

The House will reconvene tomorrow at 11 a.m.

Three Bills Complete Legislation in Senate

Senate Floor Session

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March 7, 2011

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This morning, the Senate passed five bills. Three of those bills completed legislation and now await the governor’s signature. Those bills are Senate Bill 216, which modifies the definition “imminent danger to physical well-being of a child”, Senate Bill 256, which requires sex offenders verify e-mail and online identities, and Senate Bill 486, which creates the WVU-Tech Revitalization Project.

The Senate also adopted three resolutions. Senate Resolution 44 designates March 6-12, 2011 as “National Problem Gambling Awareness Week.” Senate Resolution 45 designates March 2011 as “American Red Cross Month.” Senate Resolution 46 recognizes the Republic of China (Taiwan) on occasion of its 100th anniversary.

The following committees will meet today:
Natural Resources – 2 p.m. – 208W
Finance – 3 p.m. – 451M
Judiciary – 3 p.m. – 208W

The following committees will meet tomorrow:
Economic Development – 9 a.m. – 451M
Judiciary – 9:15 a.m. – 208W
Government Organization – 10 a.m. – 208W
Transportation and Infrastructure – 10 a.m. – 451M
Health and Human Resources – 1 p.m. – 451M
Education – 2 p.m. – 451M

The Senate will reconvene today at 5 p.m.

This evening, the Senate received nine committee reports. House Bill 2802, which would prohibit the use of turning lanes for through traffic under certain circumstances, and House Bill 3000, which would make it lawful to hunt coyotes with a green colored light, were taken up for immediate consideration and read a first time prior to their second committee references.

The Senate will reconvene tomorrow at 11 a.m.

Five Bills Complete Legislation In House

House Floor Session

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March 4, 2011

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Today in the House five bills completed the legislative process and two were moved to second reading for the next floor session. Each bill that completed legislation was sent to the Governor’s office and are awaiting his signature.

Among the bills that completed legislation, Senate Bill 61 would authorize Supreme Court judges to appoint hearing officers in juvenile courts. The hearing officers would be limited to current or senior-status court judges.

A bill that would provide for the electronic registration of wildlife was completed today. Senate Bill 358 was sent to the Governor for consideration.

Senate Bill 392 would change the definition of “accredited thoroughbred” horses. This bill would also require this registration with the Thoroughbred Breeders Association.

Additionally, Senate Bill 60 and Senate Bill 582 have also completed legislation today.

The following committees will meet today:
Finance– 12:30 p.m.- 460M
Judiciary– 1 p.m.- 410M

The following committees will meet Monday:
Health and Human Resources– 4 p.m.- 215E

The House will reconvene Monday at 11 a.m.

Senate Amends Pay Raise Bill, Advances It to 3rd Reading

Senate Floor Session

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March 4, 2011

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This morning, the Senate read for a second time and amended Senate Bill 615, which would increase salaries for certain public employees. This bill was advanced to third reading on Monday’s Senate calendar. Following that, the Senate amended the provisions of Senate Bill 615 into House Bill 2879, which would provide a one-time nonbase building, supplemental salary increase for all eligible state employees. This bill was also advanced to third reading on Monday’s calendar.

House Bill 2708, which would remove a 12-month limitation for certain agreements between or among law-enforcement agencies, was also amended and advanced to third reading.

The Senate also received committee reports and took 11 up for immediate consideration and read them for a first time. One of those bills was House Bill 2885, which would allow a guardian or conservator to be employed or in an employment contract with a behavioral health provider.

Additionally, the Senate adopoted Senate Resolution 43, which recognizes the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.

The following committees will meet on Monday:
Judiciary – 10 a.m. – 208W
Pensions – 1 p.m. – 208W

The Senate will reconvene Monday at 11 a.m.

Senate Logging Sediment Control Act Completes Legislation

Senate Floor Session

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March 3, 2011

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The Senate met in a late morning session to receive several messages from the House regarding 42 bills.

Among those bills, was Senate Bill 458, which completed legislation this morning when the Senate concurred with the House’s amendments and passed the bill. This bill will update the Logging Sediment Control Act to include a biennial licensure and fee. The bill is now awaiting the Governor’s signature.

Additionally, the Senate received several reports from standing committees regarding bills and resolutions, including Senate Concurrent Resolution 39–requesting Department of Highways name West Virginia 20 between the city of Cowen and the Webster and Nicholas County lines “Chief Samuel ‘Ed’ Plummer Memorial Highway”.

The following committees will be meeting this afternoon:
Health and Human Resources – 1 p.m. – 451M
Banking and Insurance – 2 p.m. – 208W
Education – 2 p.m. – 451M
Finance – 3 p.m. – 451M
Judiciary – 3 p.m. – 208W

The following Committees will be meeting tomorrow morning:
Transportation and Infrastructure– 10 a.m. – 451M
Economic Development– 9 a.m. – 451M

The Senate will reconvene tomorrow at 11 a.m.

Horizontal Drilling Bill Gets First Reading In House

House Floor Session

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March 3, 2011

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In a brief floor session, the House moved eight bills to third reading and suspended the rules to read one bill a first time.

Of these bills, Senate Bill 424 was taken up for immediate consideration and read a first time on the floor. This bill would modernize the oil and gas regulatory programs. It would also provide for the regulation of horizontal drilling and drilling processes that utilize large volumes of water.

Senate Bill 256 was sent to third reading today. This bill would require sex offenders to verify e-mail and online identities.

A bill that would modify the definition of the definition of “imminent danger” will also be read a third time tomorrow. Senate Bill 216 relates to the “imminent danger” of the physical well-being of a child.

Additionally, Senate Bill 60, Senate Bill 61, Senate Bill 358, Senate Bill 392, Senate Bill 486 and Senate Bill 582 were sent to third reading for the next floor session.

The following committees will meet today:
Political Subdivisions– 1 p.m.- 215E
Constitutional Revision– 2 p.m.- 410M
Roads and Transportation– 2 p.m.- 215E
Health and Human Resources– 4 p.m.- 215E
Judiciary public hearing regarding Senate Bill 408– 5 p.m.- House Chambers

The following committees will meet tomorrow:
Education– 9 a.m.- 434M
Finance– 9 a.m.- 460M
Judiciary– 9 a.m.- 410M
Government Organization– 9:30 a.m.- 215E

The House will reconvene tomorrow at 11 a.m.

Senate Passes Public Employees Bonus Bill

Senate Floor Session

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March 2, 2011

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This evening, the Senate passed 16 bills, including House Bill 3145. which would provide a one-time bonus to certain annuitants of the Public Employees Retirement System and the State Teachers Retirement System. This bill now goes back to the House for its further consideration.

Three of those bills were on second reading, and the Senate suspended the constitutional rule requiring a bill be read on three separate days in order to vote on them. Two other bills on second reading, Senate Bill350 and Senate Bill 539 were advanced to third reading.

The following committees will meet tomorrow:
Health and Human Resources – 1 p.m. – 451M
Banking and Insurance – 2 p.m. – 208W
Education – 2 p.m. – 451M
Finance – 3 p.m. – 451M
Judiciary – 3 p.m. – 208W

The Senate will reconvene tomorrow at 11 a.m.

House Passes Bullying Bill

House Floor Session

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March 2, 2011

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In the second floor session of the day, the House passed 14 bills and moved eight to second reading for tomorrow’s session.

Of these bills, House Bill 3225 was passed in amended form. This bill would expand the definition of harassment, intimidation and bullying. This bill was sent to the Senate for further consideration.

A bill that would provide for the uniformity in the way landlords would return security deposits to tenants was passed. House Bill 3202 would also provide penalties for any landlord who did not act in compliance with regulations.

Additionally, House Bill 3194, House Bill 3196, House Bill 3204, House Bill 3224, House Bill 3231, House Bill 3243, House Bill 3270 and House Bill 3271were also passed in the House and communicated to the Senate for review.

The following committee will meet tomorrow:
Health and Human Resources– 4 p.m.- 215E

The House will reconvene tomorrow at 11 a.m.

In the House

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March 2, 2011

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As of 5 p.m., on Wednesday, March 2nd, 2011, the 50th day of the 80th Legislature’s Regular Session, 1,271 bills have been introduced and 160 have passed in the House of Delegates. Of those, 79 passed this week and have been sent to the Senate for further consideration. The bills passed by the House this week include:

House Bill 2096 would allow for the creation of arts, entertainment and enterprise districts within municipalities or political subdivisions and would provide for the application process to be followed by the political subdivisions, as determined the Secretary of Commerce. Furthermore, the bill would permit that the Secretary of Commerce to designate arts, entertainment and enterprise districts from among the applicants. Finally, the bill would further provide for tax breaks for qualifying artists, property tax credits, and exemptions from the admissions or amusement tax.

House Bill 2159 would protect members of the news media from being forced to give testimony in any West Virginia court relating to the source of information in a public communication. Testimony could be given with the consent of the person or persons providing the information.

House Bill 2362 would increase the penalties for the financial exploitation of elderly persons and incapacitated adults.

House Bill 2437 would require cutter heads, long wall shears, and other mining machines to automatically shut-off when the methane level reaches one percent for the purpose of protecting the health and well-being of West Virginia coal miners.

House Bill 2500 would continue the bonus eligibility of a class room teacher who holds a valid renewal certificate and accepts employment as a principal or in another school. The renewal certificate must be issued by the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards.

House Bill 2524 would rewrite the article governing the practice of speech-language pathology and audiology. This bill would update the standards and conform to current drafting conventions.

House Bill 2532 would provide for the regulation of the zipline industry by the Division of Labor. This bill would require permits and inspections of certain equipment. Furthermore, the bill would provide for more training of zipline operators.

House Bill 2732 would create a system for public funding of election campaigns. This funding would be provided to candidates for the state Senate and House of Delegates. Each candidate must agree to and abide by restrictions for campaign contributions.

House Bill 2763 would prohibit the Executive Director of Workforce West Virginia from billing a reimbursable employer under unemployment compensation laws for overpaid amounts. The bill also would call for the Executive Director to reimburse an employer who has been billed for benefits considered to be an overpayment.

House Bill 2879 would provide a one-time supplemental salary increase for state employees. These employees would include: teachers, service personnel, members of the West Virginia State Police and conservation officers.

House Bill 2946 would require any medicine containing active ingredients to make methamphetamine to be made available by prescription only. This would include any drugs containing ephedrine, pseudoephedrine and phenylpropanolamine.

House Bill 3202 would create uniformity in the way landlords return security deposits to tenants. This bill would provide for penalties for any landlord not in compliance with the regulations.

House Bill 3225 would expand the definition of harassment, intimidation and bullying. The definition was expanded to include bullying, harassment and intimidation by way of electronic devices. The bill also applies to incidents outside school grounds if it in any way interferes with the orderly operation of the school.

In the Senate

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March 2, 2011

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As of 4 p.m., Wednesday, March 2, 2011, the 50th day of the 80th Legislature’s 1st Regular Session, 614 bills have been introduced in the Senate. To date, 19 bills have completed legislation. Of the bills introduced, 67 passed this week and have been sent to the House for further consideration. A sampling of bills passed by the Senate this week includes:

Senate Bill 18 would require certain employees of licensed private clubs and retail outlets selling alcoholic beverages to take the Techniques for Education and Alcohol Management course, the Training for Intervention Procedures course and Alcohol Awareness programs provided by the American Hotel and Lodging Association or the National Restaurant Association or other similar alcohol awareness education courses provided or approved by the Alcohol Beverage Control Commissioner.

Senate Bill 35 would raise the tax credit for nonfamily adoptions from $2,000 to $4,000.

Senate Bill 228 would create the Local Solutions Dropout and Prevention Pilot program to reduce the number of high school dropouts in West Virginia.

Senate Bill 229 would provide loan assistance for math and science teachers who agree to teach in areas and schools in critical need of such teachers. Each award recipient would be eligible to receive assistance of up to $2,000 annually subject to limits set forth in the bill.

Senate Bill 242 would dedicate five percent of the coal severance tax to the county of origin, provide for a five-year phase-in at one percent per year and provide permissible uses for the funds. Also, the bill would provide for the Development Office to administer distribution of funds, direct the office to put into effect rules for distribution and establish the County Severance Revenue Fund.

Senate Bill 307 would create and provide structures and standards for a new Intermediate Court of Appeals.

Senate Bill 387 would allow retired officers to carry a concealed weapon in accordance with federal law and would direct the Superintendent of the State Police to create a firearms course.

Senate Bill 408 would provide for a health insurance exchange in accordance with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. If implemented, this bill would establish a West Virginia Health Benefit Exchange to facilitate the purchase and sale of qualified health plans in the individual market in West Virginia. Additionally, the bill would establish a Small Business Health Options Program within the health benefit exchange to assist the state’s qualified small employers in facilitating the enrollment of their employees in qualified health plans.

Senate Bill 420 would clarify that county commissioners must continue to reside in the district they are elected or appointed to represent throughout the entire time they hold the office.

Senate Bill 424 would modernize the oil and gas regulatory program to provide a means to regulate horizontal drilling and drilling processes that utilize large volumes of water. The bill would add “timber” to the list of items for which a land surface owner could be compensated and also, would provide a new section to regulate pooling of gas from horizontal shallow wells. Additionally, the bill would remove the Chief of the Office of Oil and Gas from the Shallow Gas Well Review Board and replace the chief with a person representing the interests of surface owners of real property. Finally, this bill would remove the Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection and the Chief of the Office of Oil and Gas from the Conservation Commission and replace them with the state geologist and a person representing the interests of surface owners of real property.

Senate Bill 465 would enact the Marcellus Gas and Manufacturing Development Act of 2011, which encourages and facilitates the development of oil and gas wells and the downstream uses of natural gas in this state. Additionally, this bill would endorse economic development in this state associated with natural gas production and various downstream uses.