In this afternoon’s session, the House adopted House Resolution 6 which recognizes statewide contributions of the Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences of West Virginia.

After honoring the Clay Center, the House introduced 17 bills. Among these was House Bill 4100. This bill would create criminal offenses for the trafficking of persons, illegal aliens and involuntary servitude. House Bill 4091 was also introduced and would establish an offense for operating a motor vehicle while sending or reading a text message.

A number of bills were read for the second time today. Among these were House Bill 2521, House Bill 3128 and House Bill 3132.

The following committees will meet today:
Judiciary 1 P.M. – 410M
Education 3 P.M. – 434M
Government Organization 1 P.M. – 215E
Finance 1 P.M. – 460M

The following committees will meet tomorrow:
Veterans Affairs 9 A.M. – 460M
Agriculture 8:30 A.M. – 215E
Banking and Insurance 10 A.M. – 215E

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

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.

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

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.

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.