The House reconvened today at 11 a.m. and passed House Bill 4018, which would make it illegal to possess salvia divinorum when it is intended for human consumption. Salvia divinorum is a leafy plant that is being used as a hallucinogenic drug. For this reason, possession would result in a fine, up to six months jail time, or a combination of the two.

Two additional bills were passed. House Bill 2485, would allow pharmacy interns to vend pseudoephedrine and other chemical prescursors of methamphetamine. Pharmacy interns are defined as those who have graduated from pharmacy school, but are working with a licensed pharmacist while they are not yet licensed. House Bill 4139 relates to professional licensing boards.

The House also advanced two bills, House Bill 2561 and House Bill 2612, on to third reading. House Bill 4133, House Bill 4142 and House Bill 4171 were advanced to second reading.

The following committees will meet today:
Finance Subcommittee- 1 p.m. 460
Finance- 1:45 p.m. 460
Joint Judiciary- 3 p.m. House Chamber

The following committees will meet tomorrow:
Finance – 9 a.m. – 460M
Finance – 1 p.m. – 460M
Government Organization – 1:30 p.m. – 215E
Constitutional Revision – Public hearing – 2 p.m. – House Chamber – concerning House Joint Resolution 101 and a proposed committee substitute submitted by the Governor

Federal Stimulus Utilization- 3 p.m. – 460

The House will reconvene tomorrow at 11 a.m.

The House reconvened today, passed one bill, introduced 26 bills and presented a citation.

The House suspended the constitutional rule that states a bill has to be read on three separate days to pass House Bill 4039 from the House Local Calendar. This bill would increase the number of people who can be appointed to the Marshall County Park and Recreation Board.

Bills introduced included House Bill 4237, which relates to the West Virginia State Police Career Progression System, House Bill 4243, which would require the licensure of pharmacy benefit managers and establish the related regulatory requirements, and House Bill 4246, which would create a tax credit for new or converted qualified plug-in electric cars.

The House presented a citation to Alverta Wiggins, in honor of her life achievements. She raised 10 children as a single mom and went to school to become a nurse. She has 22 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. All of her children and grandchildren have a post-secondary education.

The following committees will meet Monday:

Finance-1 p.m. 460M
Finance, Budget Hearing-1:45 p.m 460M
Health and Human Resources-4 p.m. 215E

The House will reconvene Monday at 11 a.m.

The House reconvened today and introduced 16 bills and adopted two resolutions.

The introduced bills included House Bill 4207, which would make it illegal to send obscene, anonymous, harassing and threatening digital communication, House Bill 4211, which would provide funding for programs geared toward students with limited English skills, and House Bill 4222, which would exempt antique motor vehicles from personal property taxes.

The House also adopted House Resolution 9, which recognizes the public service of the AARP.

The item sparking the most conversation was Senate Concurrent Resolution 9. After being adopted by the Senate yesterday, it was adopted by the House with a vote of 82-7, with 11 members absent or not voting.

The following committees will meet today:

Finance, Budget Hearing-1 p.m. 460M

Judiciary-1 p.m. 410M
Government Organization-1:30 p.m. 215E
Education-2 p.m. 434M

The following committees will meet tomorrow:

Finance-9 a.m. 464M
Education-9:30 a.m 434M
Government Organization-10 a.m. 215E
Roads and Transportation-2 p.m. 215E

The House will reconvene tomorrow at 11 a.m.

Members of the House reconvened at 11 a.m. this morning. Highlighting the Session this morning was the passage of House Bill 4144, relating to the law governing veterinary medicine. The bill will now be sent to the Senate for their review.

Members introduced 22 bills and were presented with three resolutions. One of the bills introduced this morning was House Bill 4202. If passed this bill would redistrict the House of Delegates into one hundred single member districts. Another bill introduced this morning was House Bill 4203. This bill would impose an additional sales tax on grocery stores, drug stores and convenience stores equal to five cents for each plastic or disposable shopping bag given to a customer.

The House was also presented with three resolutions. House Concurrent Resolution 14 designates the month of May as Lyme Disease Awareness Month beginning in 2010. Also presented this morning was House Concurrent Resolution 15. This concurrent resolution seeks to change the name of the Spring Creek Bridge in Greenbrier County to the “John Joseph Walkup, Jr, Bridge.”

The following committees will meet today:

Energy, Industry & Labor-1 p.m. 460M
Roads & Transportation-2 p.m. 215E
Health & Human Resources-4 p.m. 215E

The following committees will meet tomorrow:

Finance-9 a.m. 145E (Treasurer’s Office)
Judiciary-9 a.m. 410M
Judiciary-1 p.m. 410M
Government Organization-1:30 p.m. 215E

The House will reconvene at 11 a.m. tomorrow