In the Senate today, members introduced nine bills, bringing the total of bills introduced in the Senate during the 2009 Regular Session to 281. Bills included Senate Bill 273, which creates incentives to obtain GEDs, Senate Bill 277, which requires assessors to create an annual cost of housing index and Senate Bill 280 creating Correctional Industries Act of 2009.

The Senate introduced one bill by the request of the Governor. Senate Bill 279 relates to industrial accidents and emergency response regulations.

Members also recognized Ed Evans as America’s Top Science Teacher finalist through the adoption of Senate Resolution 11. He teaches at Mt. Hope High School in Fayette County.

Today was also recognized as Tourism Day at the Legislature.

The following committees will meet today:
Banking and Insurance – 2:00 p.m. – 208W
Education – 2:00 p.m. – 451M
Finance – 3:00 p.m.- 451M

The following committees will meet tomorrow:
Labor – 9:00 a.m. – 208W
Energy, Industry and Mining – 10:00 a.m. – 208W
Natural Resources – 1:00 p.m. – 208W
Government Organization – 2:00 p.m. – 208W

The Senate adjourned until 11:00 a.m. tomorrow.

Senate members introduced 18 bills today, which brings the total number of bills introduced in the Senate this session to 272. Of the bills introduced, Senate Bill 265 authorizes a tax credit for new teachers in critical needs areas, Senate Bill 266 increases the tax credit received for non family adoptions and Senate Bill 270 relates to the Public School Support Plan.

Members heard Senate Joint Resolution 9, which proposes an amendment to the Constitution designated Homestead Exemption Increase Amendment. They also adopted Senate Resolution 19, which recognized the “Take a Veteran to School Day” program, and Senate Resolution 10, which designates today as Veterans Visibility Day. Several veterans were in attendance to see the resolution adopted.

Members honored former Senator William “Bill” Sharpe, who passed away this past Sunday. He served the Senate for 44 years. Several Senators spoke on his behalf in remembrance of the former President Pro Tempore.

The following committees will meet today:

Pensions – 2:00 p.m. – 451M
Finance – 3:00 p.m.- 451M

The following committees will meet tomorrow:

Economic Development – 9:00 a.m. – 451M
Transportation – 10:00 a.m. – 451M
Banking and Insurance – 2:00 p.m. – 208W

The Senate adjourned until 11:00 a.m. tomorrow.

Senate members introduced seven bills today, which brings the total number of bills introduced this session to 254. Two bills were introduced on behalf of the Governor today, Senate Bill 248, which provides for an alternative minimum tax expiration, and Senate Bill 249, which provides for school calendar flexibility to meet instructional term requirements.

Members adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution 5, which requests that the Joint Committee on Finance and Government study deer and car collision statistics, seeking to continue a 2008 interim study. They also recognized Earned Income Tax Return (EITC) Awareness Day through Senate Resolution 8. The EITC is a federal tax credit that benefits families that make under $40,000 with a tax return of up to $4,000. The EITC is sponsored by the United Way, IRS and the Department of Health and Human Resources, among dozens of other state agencies and groups.

The Doctor of the Day was Gerald A. Dague. He currently practices emergency medicine at Wheeling Hospital And Reynolds Memorial Hospital. The Doctor of the Day works with legislators and staff when they fall ill during the Regular Session.

There will be no committee meetings held today.

The committee meetings for Monday are as follows:

Pensions – 2:00 p.m. – 451M
Finance – 3:00 p.m. – 451M

In the Senate today, members introduced 98 bills, bringing the total of bills introduced in the Senate during the 2009 Regular Session to 247. All but 14 were rule-making bills, which allow state agencies to issue legislative rules.

The Senate introduced four bills by the request of the Governor. These included Senate Bill 244, Senate Bill 245, and Senate Bill 246.

Since it is the 200th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s birth, members honored his life and accomplishments. They also honored his mother, Nancy Hanks Lincoln, who was born in what is now Mineral County, with Senate Resolution 6. They also recognized the West Virginia Civics Literacy Council and Civic Literacy Day with Senate Resolution 7.

Committee meetings scheduled for Thursday, February 12, are as follows:

Education – 2:00 p.m. – 451M
Finance – 3:00 p.m. – 451M

The Transportation & Infrastructure Committee meeting will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday in room 451M.

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

Members of the Senate met today to begin business of the 2009 Regular Session. On the first day, members adopted a resolution, House Concurrent Resolution 3, to join with House members to hear the State of the State address in the House Chamber at 7 p.m. Members also introduced 149 bills and referred them to committees for debate. Bills introduced included: Senate Bill 9, which would provide some volunteer fire department members state income tax exemption; Senate Bill 142, to create a Small Tourism Business Development Act; and Senate Bill 144, to increase the Employee Suggestion Award Board’s cash award limit.

The following Senate Committees will meet today:

Finance – 1:30 p.m. – 451M
Judiciary – 1:30 p.m. – 208W
Banking and Insurance – 1:45 p.m. – 208W
Transportation – 1:45 p.m. – 451M
Agriculture – 2:00 p.m. – 208W
Economic Development – 2:00 p.m. – 451M
Education – 2:15 p.m. – 451M
Government Organization – 2:15 p.m. – 208W
Health and Human Resources – 2:30 p.m. – 451M
Energy, Industry & Mining – 2:45 p.m. – 208W
Pensions – 3:00 p.m. – 451M
Interstate Cooperation – 4:00 p.m. – 451M
Military – 4:00 p.m. – 208W
Confirmations – 4:15 p.m. – 451M
Natural Resources – 4:15 p.m. – 208W

The Finance Committee will also meet tomorrow, February 12, at 9:30 a.m. in 451M.

The Senate will reconvene at 6:45 p.m. for the State of the State address.