The halls of the Capitol were lined with blue and gold, in celebration of West Virginia University and WVU Extension Day in the Legislature. Many of the schools at WVU had booths set up, including the School of Pharmacy, the School of Nursing and the College of Law. Head football coach Bill Stewart also traveled to Charleston today and the WVU Mountaineer, Brady Campbell, received a warm welcome as he was introduced in the House.

House Bill 4385, which would revise certain powers and duties of the Legislative Auditor and House Bill 4411, which would exempt land-based finfish aquaculture facilities from certain sludge management requirements were passed in the House and will go on to the Senate for its consideration.

There were five bills on second reading and 11 on third reading. Committee Substitute for House Bill 4148 would authorize that net settlement proceeds held for a minor may be invested in a Smart 529 plan.

The following committees will meet today:
Finance – 1:00 p.m. – 460M
Judiciary Subcommittee B – 1:00 p.m. – 410M
Judiciary Subcommittee C – 1:00 p.m. – 252M
Education – 2:00 p.m. – 434M
Judiciary – 2:00 p.m. – 410M
Government Organization – 2:30 p.m. – 215E
Seniors Issues – 4:00 p.m. – 215E

The following committees will meet tomorrow:
Veterans Affairs and Homeland Security – 9:00 a.m. – 460M
Banking and Insurance – 10:00 a.m. – 215E
Roads and Transportation – 2:00 p.m. – 215E
Political Subdivisions – 3:00 p.m. – 215E
Health and Human Resources – 4:00 p.m. – 215E

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

The House briefly reconvened this evening to receive committee reports and introduce bills, as today is the final day to introduce bills in both chambers, excluding budget or supplementary appropriation bills. The House introduced 56 more bills this evening. Among the bills introduced were House Bill 4651, which would consolidate all gaming-related functions within the Department of Revenue into a single gaming commission and House Bill 4682 which would increase the fine for littering from $50 to $100.

Also meeting tomorrow are:
Government Organization – 9:30 a.m. – 460M
Government Organization – 2:30 p.m. – 460M

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

Today is the last day to introduce bills in the House of Delegates. By Sunday, February 24 all bills are due out of committees in their house of origin in order to ensure three full days for readings. Wednesday, February 27 marks the last day to consider bills on third reading in their house of origin, excluding budget bills or supplementary appropriation bills.

There were three bills on third reading in the House today. Committee Substitute for House Bill 4157, Committee Substitute for House Bill 4331 and House Bill 4512 were passed out of the House and will go to the Senate for its consideration.

House Bill 4411 was on second reading in the House today and would exempt land-based finfish aquaculture facilities from certain sludge management requirements. Six bills were on first reading on the House Special Calendar today.

The following committees will meet today:
Judiciary Subcommittee A – 1:00 p.m. – 432M
Judiciary Subcommittee B – 1:00 p.m. – 410M
Judiciary Subcommittee C – 1:00 p.m. – 252M
Finance Subcommittee on the Court of Claims – 1:15 p.m. – 460M
Finance Committee – 1:30 p.m. – 460M
Government Organization Committee – 1:30 p.m. – 215E
Education Subcommittee E – 2:00 p.m. – 432M
Judiciary Committee – 2:00 p.m. – 410M

Health and Human Resources – 4:00 p.m. – 215E

The following committees will meet tomorrow, February 19:
Health Subcommittee – 8:30 a.m. – 215E
Finance Committee – 9:15 a.m. – 460M
Judiciary Committee – 9:00 a.m. – 410M
Education Committee – 2:00 p.m. – 432M

The House will recess until 5:00 p.m. this evening.

Another bill completed legislative action today. Senate Bill 257 is now awaiting the Governor’s signature and will repeal outdated penitentiary code provisions. Committee Substitute for House Bill 4389, House Bill 4464, House Bill 4465 and House Bill 4513 were passed out of the House today and will go on to the Senate for its consideration.

There were two bills on second reading and two bills on first reading on the House Special Calendar today.

There were 13 new bills introduced in the House today. House Bill 4580 would designate December 7, “Pearl Harbor Day,” as a legal state holiday.

The following committees will meet Monday, February 18::
Judiciary – 9:00 a.m. – 410M
Judiciary Subcommittee A – 1:00 p.m. – TBA
Judiciary Subcommittee B – 1:00 p.m. – 410M
Judiciary Subcommittee C – 1:00 p.m. – TBA
Government Organization – 1:30 p.m. – 215E
Health and Human Resources – 4:00 p.m. – 215E

The House will reconvene at 11:00 a.m.on Monday, February 18.

Two bills eliminating some outdated provisions in the State Code, Senate Bill 258 and Senate Bill 262, completed legislative action today and now await the Governor’s signature.

Committee Substitute for House Bill 4150 also passed out of the House today. The bill, which now goes to the Senate for approval, would require that United States and West Virginia flags purchased with state funds be made in the United States.

Six bills were on second reading and two bills were on first reading on the House Special Calendar today.

The following committees will meet today:
Education – 2:00 p.m. – 434M
Judiciary – 2:00 p.m. – 410M
Senior Citizens Issues – 4:00 p.m. – 215E

The following committees will meet tomorrow:
Banking and Insurance – 8:30 a.m. – 252

Committee on Pensions and Retirement – 8:30 a.m. – 215E
Education – 9:00 a.m. – 434M
Finance – 9:30 a.m. – 460M
Judiciary – 9:30 a.m. – 410M
Roads and Transportation – 12:30 p.m. – 215 E

The House will reconvene at 11:00 a.m. tomorrow, Friday, February 15.