Blog – Page 317

Mine Safety Bill Signed

Around the Capitol

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March 21, 2012

The Governor, Speaker of the House and several delegates met today in front of the Coal Miner Memorial for a signing ceremony regarding House Bill 4351, which will allow miners to submit anonymous tips about safety issues, require that ventilation plans be submitted, and allow families to be part of the interview process should another mining disaster occur among other things.

The bill, which was inspired by the Upper Big Branch Mine Disaster that took the lives of 29 miners, aims to regulate mine safety, hopefully preventing such disasters from occurring again.

House and Senate Convene, Complete Work of 1st Extraordinary Session

House Floor Session

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March 16, 2012

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Following the completion of the 80th Regular Session, Legislators briefly reconvened in both bodies to begin working on the First Extraordinary Session.

The Legislature met and suspended the constitutional rules required to read a bill on three separate days to pass House Bill 101, which provides tax credit and required payment programs designed to enhance the prospects of restarting a large, manufacturing facility specifically targeting the reopening of Century Aluminum in Ravenswood, WV.

Lawmakers also passed Senate Bill 1002, which would make supplementary appropriation from State Fund, General Revenue, to Governor’s Office, Civil Contingent Fund in response to recent flood and tornado damage.

Both the House and Senate adjourned the First Extraordinary Session Sine Die.

Regular Session Adjourns Sine Die, Passes Budget Bill

Senate Floor Session

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March 16, 2012

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The House and Senate completed legislation on Budget Bill Conference Report for Senate Bill 160, which relates to the 2013 FY Budget. The bill, Senate Bill 160 outlines the $11.6 billion state spending plan for the upcoming budget year.

Both bodies made technical changes to five bills to address problems which caused the Governor to veto them. Among these five bills were: House Bill 2278, which would authorize the use of additional mediums for the use in archiving government records; House Bill 4279, which would permit municipalities to stagger the terms of elected officers; House Bill 4239, which would increase the membership of the West Virginia Board of Osteopathy; Senate Bill 371, which would provide school systems under declared state of emergency to participate as collaborative innovation zones; and Senate Bill 212, which would create criminal offenses for disrupting communications and public utility services.

The House and Senate are adjourned the 2012 Regular and Extended Budget Sessions Sine Die.

Budget Bill Conference Report Filed, Available Online

Senate Committee

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March 15, 2012

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Today the House and Senate met briefly to file the conference committee reports with their respective clerks. The Budget Bill Conference Report for Senate Bill 160 is now available on the West Virginia Legislature’s website.

The Senate has adjourned until 11 a.m. tomorrow morning and the House will reconvene at 12 p.m.

Conference Committee Completes Work on Budget Bill

House Committee

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March 14, 2012

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Both the House and Senate met this afternoon to discuss Senate Bill 160.

The conference committee reported that they had completed work on the bill and that staff were working to prepare the bill for presentation tomorrow.

The Senate and House are adjourned until 11 a.m. tomorrow.

House and Senate Continue Extended Budget Session

House Floor Session

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March 13, 2012

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The House and Senate met today to continue the extended budget session in relation to Senate Bill 160.

The Conference Committee for Senate Bill 160 will be held tomorrow at 3 p.m. in room 451M.

The House and Senate are adjourned until 5 p.m. tomorrow.

West Virginia Legislature Begins Work on Budget Session

Senate Floor Session

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March 12, 2012

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The House of Delegates and Senate each met briefly today to commence the extended budget floor session.

The Conference Committee for Senate Bill 160 will be held tomorrow morning at 10 a.m. in room 451M.

Legislature Begins Extended Budget Session

House Floor Session

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March 11, 2012

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Both bodies convened shortly after midnight to begin the 2012 extended budget session.

Budget conferees will meet at 4 p.m. Monday in Room 451M.

The House will reconvene at 5 p.m. Monday and the Senate will reconvene at 6 p.m.

Regular Session Adjourns

Senate Floor Session

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March 11, 2012

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Eight bills completed legislation in the last Senate meeting of the regular session. Another eight bills were passed. Among completed legislation is Senate Bill 211, related to texting, cell phone use and driving as well as Senate Bill 437, the Governor’s substance abuse legislation.

Senate Resolution 61 recognized retiring Sen. Karen Facemyer and
Senate Resolution 62 recognized retiring Sen. Dan Foster.

The regular session concluded at midnight and the extended budget session will begin Monday.

Senate budget conferees will meet at 4 p.m. Monday in 451M.

The Senate is adjourned until 6 p.m. Monday.

House Adjourns Regular Session, Passes Texting and Substance Abuse Bills

House Floor Session

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March 11, 2012

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The House completed bills before the adjournment at midnight. After several lengthy floor sessions, 12 bills completed legislation in this evening’s last floor session of the 80th West Virginia Legislature’s 2012 Regular Session.

Among bills completed on the final night were Senate Bill 437, which relates generally to substance abuse; Senate Bill 211, which will create traffic offenses for texting or using handheld wireless communication devices while driving; and House Bill 2740, which would make covenants that restrict the installation or use of solar energy systems unenforceable.

Bills passed during tonight’s floor session also include: House Bill 4101, which would authorize teacher-in-residence programs for certain prospective teachers in lieu of student teaching; House Bill 2278, which would authorize the use of additional mediums for use in archiving government records; and House Bill 4053, which relates to abduction, kidnapping and human trafficking.

The House ended the Regular Session at midnight.