The House reconvened this morning to read bills on third reading and complete unfinished business from Friday’s calendar.

Among the five bills to complete legislative action this morning, the green initiative Senate Bill 507 was passed. The bill will require the West Virginia Clean Coal Technology Council to study carbon capture and control and to make quarterly reports to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance on the results.

The House passed 10 bills on third reading and sent them to the Senate for approval. The House will meet early in the afternoon to finish bills on third and second reading, as well as receive committee reports.

The House is in recess until 1:00 p.m.

The Senate reconvened at 5:30 p.m. this evening to finish the April 9 Calendar. The Senate suspended the constitutional rule to read bills on three separate days several times tonight. This allowed for specific bills on second reading to advance to third and be eligible for passage.

Some of the bills passed and sent to the House include: House Bill 2360 which would insure that tobacco products are not sold in any packaging other than the original; House Bill 2504 would establish the Silver Alert Plan, which is an alert system for missing cognitively impaired persons; and House Bill 2694 would establish certain requirements for modification of custodial rights for parent’s or guardian’s that have been deployed to the United States Armed Forces.

The following committees will meet tomorrow:

Finance – 9:00 a.m. – 451M

Judiciary – 10:00 a.m. – 208W

Transportation – 10:00 a.m.

Rules – 10:30 a.m. – President’s Conference Room

Confirmations – 2:00 p.m. – 208W

The Committee on Economic Development will not meet tomorrow.

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

The House reconvened for an evening session to read bills on second and first reading from Thursday’s calendar.

A total of 19 bills completed legislative action this evening and now await the governor’s approval. House Bill 2684 would create the West Virginia Drug Offender Accountability and Treatment Act with the intent to reduce the incidence of substance abuse and the crimes resulting from it. House Bill 2753 would continue the Pilot Highway Design Build Program with up to 10 pilot projects with funds available up to $150 million. The bill calls for the development of emergency rules to govern the program. House Bill 2950 would create the Neighborhood Housing and Economic Stabilization Program and authorize the Economic Development Authority to contract with the Housing Development Fund to administer the program.

One bill was advanced on third reading, Senate Bill 761 would extend criminal penalties for prohibited entry into commercial property enclosed by a fence or wall or into certain structures used for utility transmission or distribution.

All bills were advanced on second and first readings.

The House adopted House Resolution 50 commemorating the life of former West Virginia Delegate Eustace Frederick who served Mercer County from 1994 to 2007. Frederick was recognized for his contributions as a civic leader, business leader and innovator. Friend and companion Shirley Ofsa (pictured) accepted the citation from the House. She was accompanied by Delegates Frazier, Porter and Shott. Frederick passed away in November of last year.

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

The House reconvened for an early morning session to read bills on third reading and complete unfinished business from Thursday’s calendar.

A total of seven bills completed legislative action this morning and now await the governor’s approval, including Senate Bill 338, which would create an additional judge in the 17th judicial circuit court in Monongalia County.

Among the 16 bills passed in the House and sent to the Senate, Senate Bill 239 would authorize counties with a population exceeding 150,000 and a Class I municipality to approve metro government by a majority vote. Senate Bill 335 would authorize the Division of Culture and History Commissioner to distribute funds for the support and development of state and local fairs and festivals.

The following committees will meet today:

Stimulus Utilization – After the Morning Floor Session – 460M
Pensions & Retirement – After the Morning Floor Session – 215E
Education – After the Morning Floor Session – 434

The House is in recess until 5:00 p.m.

The House reconvened on Wednesday evening to finish presenting the bills from the morning’s calendar. They also met to hear the reports from the afternoon committee meetings.

On third reading this evening were Senate Bill 672, which creates the Mental Health Stabilization Act of 2009 and Senate Bill 764, which provides a race election results certification procedure. These bills completed legislative action.

Twenty-four bills were presented on second reading this evening. Senate Bill 239 would allow a majority vote for certain metro government approval. Senate Bill 408 would relate to model health plans for uninsurable individuals. Senate Bill 521 would include telecommunications devices as jail contraband. Senate Bill 695 would relate to payment for certain state employees’ unused sick leave. These bills will be presented on third reading tomorrow.

Nineteen bills were presented on first reading today. Senate Bill 326 would mandate certain dental anesthesia insurance coverage. Senate Bill 552 would relate to affordable health insurance plan proposals. Senate Bill 575 would relate to gaming operations at historic resort hotels. Senate Bill 641 would disclose solid waste origins at commercial landfills. These bills will be presented on second reading tomorrow for amendment.

The following committees will meet tomorrow:

Stimulus Utilization – After the Morning Floor Session – 460M

The House will reconvene at 9:00 a.m. tomorrow.