Monday, July 27, 2026
Monday, July 27, 2026
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West Virginia National Guard Day at the Legislature

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Today, the Legislature celebrated “West Virginia National Guard Day”, by honoring our troops and learning about all the National Guard has to offer.

The National Guard provides incredible versatility for its troops while serving their community, state and country. The Guard enables its troops to respond to reconstruction missions, domestic emergencies, combat missions and much more. Additionally, the Guard has programs that assist with the state’s counter-drug efforts, which is an issue that has been getting a lot of attention at the Legislature this session.

The National Guard Prevention and Outreach Program is a substance abuse program that provides a variety of outlets to help soldiers with alcohol and drug dependencies. It features mental health and prevention and outreach programs designed to help Guard members and their families maintain healthy lifestyles.

Among the many National Guard programs visiting the Legislature this afternoon, was the Drug Demand Reduction Program, which provides drug abuse prevention education and safe decision practices to West Virginia’s youth.

Technical Sargent, Michael Barr travels across the state to provide education to young people in a safe and entertaining environment. Not only does the program teach about drug use and good decision making, but it also gives students a chance to bond with one another through team building activities, such as rock climbing, Barr said.

The Drug Demand Reduction Program provides support to state and local community based organizations, law enforcement agencies, educational institutions, and coalitions. “The main goal of this program is to try to reduce drug usage not just in youth, but throughout the entire state,” said Barr.

House Education Bill Passes Through Senate

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This morning, the Senate passed 11 bills, including House Bill 2709, which would allow county school boards to enter into energy-saving contracts. The bill will now go back to the House for its further consideration.

Twenty-five bills were read for a second time and advanced to third reading. Senate Bill 242, which would dedicate a portion of coal severance tax to the county of origin, and Senate Bill 484, which would relate to management agreements of the Higher Education Policy Commission, were both amended before being advanced to third reading.

Additionally, the Senate took up five standing committee reports for immediate consideration. The Senate read Senate Joint Resolution 11, Senate Bill 277 and Senate Bill 436 a second time and advanced them to third reading. Senate Bill 535 was read a first time and advanced to second reading. Senate Concurrent Resolution 43 was adopted.

The following committees will meet today:
Government Organization – 1 p.m. – 208W (Public Hearing)
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 committee will meet tomorrow morning:
Confirmations – 10 a.m. – 214W

The Senate will reconvene today at 6 p.m.

This evening, the Senate received nine standing committee reports and took them all up for immediate consideration. Four of those bills were read for a first time and advanced to second reading. The other five were read a second time and advanced to third reading. One of those bills was Senate Bill 505, which would relate generally to gaming at licensed racetracks and historic resort hotels.

The Senate will reconvene tomorrow at 11 a.m.

House Passes Concealed Weapons Bill

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The House passed 7 bills in a brief late morning chamber session.

Among those bills passed today were House Bill 3067, which would enhance funding for civil legal services for the poor, House Bill 3050, which would remove statutory fees and permit the Board of Dieticians to set the fees legislative rule and House Bill 3087, which would require qualifying law-enforcement officers to receive certification to carry a concealed firearm nationwide as provided in the federal Law-Enforcement Officers Safety Act of 2004.

48 bills were also read for a second time and moved to third reading, including House Bill 2159 which would prohibit members of the news media from being compelled to give testimony relating to the source of information without the consent of the person or person in the public communication and House Bill 3143 which would increase the fine and minimum penalty for causing death or injury to animals used by law enforcement agencies and in explosion explosive detection.

The following committees will meet today:
Government Organization – 12:00 p.m. – 215E

The House will reconvene tomorrow at 10:00 a.m.

House Reconvenes, Passes 11 Bills

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Following the reconvening of the House, 11 bills were passed. A sampling includes: House Bill 3105, which would provide immunity from civil or criminal liability for first responders who use forced entry to a residence when responding to a 911 call and House Bill 3126, which would require a railroad company to provide pesticide safety information for railroad employees and public and local communities along the right-of-way treated by pesticide use. The bill would also require a railroad company to provide pesticide safety training annually to its employees.

Additionally, eight bills were read for a second time, including House Bill 3099 which would enact the Marcellus Gas and Manufacturing Development Act of 2011. This act would encourage and facilitate the development of oil and gas wells and the downstream uses of natural gas, as well as economic development in West Virginia.

42 bills were also read for the first time.

The House received committee reports and messages, in addition.

The following committees will meet today:
Judiciary – approximately 3:45 p.m. – 410M

The House will reconvene tomorrow at 11:00 a.m.

Ethics Act Bill Passes Through Senate

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This morning, the Senate passed 23 bills, including House Bill 2464, which would add additional requirements to the Ethics Act, and Senate Bill 516, which would require the state board establish a digital learning program.

Upon passage, House Bill 2613 completed legislative action and awaits the governor’s signature.

Additionally, 13 bills were read for a second time and advanced to third reading. Senate Bill 467, which would prohibit teachers from being assigned additional duties during planning period without consent, was advanced with a right to amend on third reading.

Seventeen bills were also read for a first time and advanced to second reading on tomorrow’s calendar.

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 – 8 a.m. – 451M
Finance – 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
Education – 2 p.m. – 451M

The Senate will reconvene today at 6 p.m.

This evening, the Senate received 12 committee reports. All of the reports were taken up for immediate consideration and read a first time.

The Senate suspended the constitutional rule requiring a bill be read on three separate days for two of those bills and passed them after reading them for a second and third time. Those bills were Senate Bill 202, which would create a commission to develop pilot program to help at-risk youth, and Senate Bill 486, which would create the WVU-Tech Revitalization Project.

The Senate will reconvene tomorrow at 11 a.m.

House Honors Former Delegate

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The House passed three bills and adopted one resolution in a brief late morning chamber session.

Adopted was House Resolution 31. This memorialized the life of Thomas Michael “Mike” Porter. A businessman, civic leader, Army veteran and NASCAR driver, Mike Porter was a member of the House of Delegates. He passed away on September 27, 2010.

The House also stood in a moment of silence to honor Frank Buckles. The last known American WWI veteran passed away on February 27, 2011 in his Charles Town home at the age of 110.

Three bills were passed in the House today: House Bill 2763, which would prohibit the Executive Director of Workforce West Virginia from billing a reimbursable employer for overpaid amounts of benefits under the unemployment compensation law, House Bill 2802, which would prohibit tje use of turning lanes for through traffic under certain circumstances and House Bill 2883, which would create regulations for commercial dog breeding.

The following committees will meet today:
Finance – 1:00 p.m. – 460M
Health and Human Resources – 4:00 p.m. – 215E

The House will reconvene today at 2:00 p.m.

Senate Adopts Two Joint Resolutions

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Today, the Senate adopted two joint resolutions. Senate Joint Resolution 9, which would propose an amendment to the Constitution designated The Silenced Majority Local Levy and Bond Amendment, and Senate Joint Resolution 10, which would propose an amendment to the Constitution designated Repeal The Two Consecutive Term Limitation for Sheriffs Amendment.

Additionally, 13 bills were passed, including Senate Bill 228, which would create the Local Solution Dropout Prevention and Recovery Act.

Twenty-three bills were read a second time and advanced to third reading. Two of those bills were amended. House Bill 2464, which would add additional requirements to the Ethics Act, and Senate Bill 328, which would relate to issuance, disqualification, suspension and revocation of driver’s licenses, were amended before being advanced.

Also, 21 bills were read for a first time and advanced to second reading.

The Senate also adopted Senate Resolution 41, which recognizes Rhonda Smalley and the Cabell Midland High School band.

The following committees will meet Monday morning:
Education – 9 a.m. – 208W
Judiciary – 10 a.m. – 208W

The Senate will reconvene Monday at 11 a.m.

House Passes Bill On Election Day Liquor Sales

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Choral students from the Big Otter Elementary School gave a rousing performance before the House today, singing their renditions of “My America” and “Proud To Be An American.”

The House was also led in the Pledge of Allegiance by Cub Scout Pack #1 from Sutton, WV.

The House also passed 10 bills, including House Bill 3100 which would permit the sale of liquor on election days and House Bill 3162 which relates to polygraph examinations for certain sex offenders.

Additionally, the House gave a “howl” as they passed House Bill 3000 which would
make it lawful to hunt coyotes with a green colored light.

Legislation was also completed with the passing of Senate Bill 507 which would continue the Broadband Deployment Council.

17 bills were read for a second time, a sampling including: House Bill 2802, which would prohibit the use of turning lanes for through traffic under certain circumstances, House Bill 2883 which would create regulations for commercial dog breeding and House Bill 2953 which
relates to the dedication of coal bed methane severance tax proceeds.

Eight bills were also read for a first time and sent to second reading.

The following committees will meet today:
Finance – 2:00 p.m. – 460M
Judiciary – 1:00 p.m. – 410M

The following committees will be meeting Monday:
Finance – 9:00 a.m. – 460M
Judiciary – 9:30 a.m. – 410M
Health and Human Resources – 4:00 p.m. – 215E

The House will reconvene today at 4:00 p.m.

Upon reconvening, the House received committee reports and messages from the Senate.

The House will reconvene Monday at 11 a.m.

House Passes Retired Public Employees Bill

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Kindergartners from Kanawha County’s St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School led the House in the pledge and entertained them with a song.

The House also passed four bills, including House Bill 3145, which would provide a one-time bonus payment of $600 to certain members of the Public Employees Retirement System and the State Teachers Retirement System.

12 bills were read for a second time, a sampling including: House Bill 3000, which would make it lawful to hunt coyotes with a green colored light and House Bill 3162 which relates to polygraph examinations required as a condition of supervision for certain sex offenders.

17 bills were also read for a first time and sent to second reading.

The following committees will meet today:
Finance – 1:30 p.m. – 460M
Finance – 4:30 p.m. – 460M
Judiciary – 1:30 p.m. – 410M

Additionally, House Judiciary Sub-Committee B will meet at 12:45 p.m. today

The following committees will be meeting tomorrow:
Government Organization – 10:00 a.m. – 215E
Finance – 9 a.m. – 460M
Finance – 1:00 p.m. – 460M
Judiciary – 8:30 a.m. – 410M

The House will reconvene tomorrow at 11:00 a.m.

National Guard Leave of Absence Bill Completes Legislation in Senate

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This morning, the Senate concurred with the House of Delegate’s title amendment to Senate Bill 382 and passed the bill. The bill now awaits the governor’s signature.

Also, the Senate adopted Senate Resolution 39, which recognizes the Society of Human Resource Management and Senate Resolution 40, which recognizes volunteers and staff at pregnancy care centers in W.Va. and across the United States.

Senate Concurrent Resolution 37, which urges the W.Va. Delegation to Congress oppose any action by Congress or the President to reduce funding for Community Service Block Grants, was also adopted this morning.

Additionally, the Senate passed Senate Bill 392, which would change the definition of “accredited thoroughbred horse,” after reading it a third time.

Twelve bills and two joint resolutions were read a second time and advanced to third reading. One of the bills was Senate Bill 228, which would create the Local Solution Dropout Prevention and Recovery Act. House Bill 2464, which would add additional requirements to the Ethics Act, was on the calendar for second reading, but will lie over one day and retain its place on the calendar.

Also, 20 bills were read for a first time and advanced to second reading.

The following committees will meet today:
Energy, Industry and Mining – 1 p.m. – 208W
Health and Human Resources – 1 p.m. – 451M
Education – 2 p.m. – 451M
Finance – 3 p.m. – 451M
Judiciary – 3 p.m. – 208W
Transportation and Infrastructure – 5 p.m. – 208W

The Senate will reconvene today at 6 p.m.

In a brief evening session, the Senate received committee reports, and seven bills were read for a first time prior to their second committee references.

These bills are Senate Bill 202, Senate Bill 319, Senate Bill 283, Senate Bill 424, Senate Bill 440, Senate Bill 532 and Senate Bill 465.

The following committees will meet tomorrow morning:
Energy, Industry and Mining – 9 a.m. – 208W
Finance – 9:30 a.m. – 451M
Judiciary – 10 a.m. – 208W

The Senate will reconvene tomorrow at 11 a.m.

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