The Senate celebrated veterans from across the state today. With the passage of Senate Resolution 33, today will be recognized as Veteran’s Visibility Day.

Six bills were also passed, along with the introduction of 44 bills. Today marked the last day to introduce bills on the floor.

Senate Bill 334 was passed in committee substitute form. This bill would create a criminal offense for having any involvement with animal fighting ventures. The bill was reported to the House for further consideration.

A bill that would incorporate federal health insurance reforms into the insurance codes was also passed. The committee substitute for Senate Bill 407 would add two federal health insurance programs into the code.

Senate Bill 390 would provide for web-enabled mobile devices to fall under the crime of invasion of privacy on computers. This bill would make it a crime for an individual to invade a personal, web-enabled mobile device.

Additionally, Senate Bill 253, Senate Bill 335 and Senate Bill 507 were passed in the Senate and communicated to the House for review.

The following committees will meet today:
Pensions– 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
Government Organization– 10 a.m.- 208W
Transportation and Infrastructure– 10 a.m.- 451M
Health and Human Resources– 1 p.m.- 451M
Banking and Insurance– 2 p.m.- 208W

The Senate will reconvene tomorrow at 11 a.m.

The Senate stood to recognize the passing of a devoted friend and co-worker. Catherine L. Larck was an employee of the West Virginia Senate from 2003 to 2007. To honor Catherine, the Senate adopted Senate Resolution 30 memorializing her.

The Senate also introduced 19 bills and moved six along to third reading for the next floor session. Among those bills sent to third reading, Senate Bill 390 would add web-enabled mobile devices to the crime of invasion of privacy.

This bill would provide for the invasion of privacy on personal computers. The bill will be read a third time during the next floor session.

A bill that would incorporate federal health insurance reforms into the insurance code was furthered today. Senate Bill 407 would provide for the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 to be included into the insurance code. This bill will also be read for a third time.

Additionally, Senate Bill 253, Senate Bill 334, Senate Bill 335 and Senate Bill 507 were moved to third reading for Monday morning.

The following committee will meet Monday:
Pensions– 2 p.m.- 208W

The Senate will reconvene Monday at 11 a.m.

Today in the Senate higher education institutions throughout West Virginia were recognized for their outstanding work across the state.

Having the opportunity to receive a quality education is something every person is entitled to. Higher education institutes throughout the state have been extremely proficient in allowing citizens of West Virginia to have the chance to further their education and prepare themselves for future careers.

Along with this recognition, the Senate passed 7 bills. The committee substitute for Senate Bill 227 was passed today. This bill relates to Creative Communities Development Pilot Program. This bill would provide a matching grant to be developed to help this program continue to move forward.

Senate Bill 382 would specify additional activities in which members of the National Guard or armed forces reserves are entitled to a leave of absence. This bill was passed in committee substitute form and was sent to the House for further consideration.

A bill that would provide for alternative means that the initial purchaser of a junked vehicle has to notify the Department of Motor Vehicles. Senate Bill 304 would provide for these means to also follow in compliance with the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System.

Senate Bill 234, Senate Bill 235, Senate Bill 357 and Senate Bill 358 were also passed and sent to the House for review.

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

The following committees will meet tomorrow:
Economic Development– 9 a.m.- 451M
Transportation and Infrastructure– 10 a.m.- 451M

The Senate will reconvene tomorrow at 11 a.m.

Eight bills were passed and one resolution adopted during a brief late morning session in Senate chambers.

Of the eight bills, Senate Bill 219 would authorize the loan of funds from the Rainy Day Fund to the Unemployment Compensation Fund whe funds are necessary to ensure that the Unemployment Compensation Fund contains at least $20 million to pay all unemployment claims. The bill would also require that loans from such funds would be repaid in full without interest from money in the Unemployment Compensation Fun in excess of $20 million.

In addition, Senate Resolution 27 was adopted, recognizing the Order of the Arrow, Boy Scouts of America.

15 bills were also introduced. A sampling includes Senate Bill 522, which would require parents objecting to immunizations provide written a statement in lieu of certificates of proof, Senate Bill 524, Relating to operation of diesel equipment in underground coal mines, Senate Bill 527, relating to having nursing homes on grounds of critical access hospitals.

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

Government Organization – 2 p.m. – 208W
Natural Resources – 1 p.m. – 208W
Finance – 3 p.m. – 451M

The following committees will meet tomorrow:
Judiciary – 10 a.m. – 208W
Health and Human Resources – 1 p.m. – 451M
Finance – 3 p.m. – 451M

The Senate will reconvene tomorrow at 11 a.m.