Friday, July 11, 2025
Friday, July 11, 2025
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Senate Celebrates Children’s Day, Sends Three Bills to the House

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Today, second grade students from Saint Agnes Elementary of Charleston led Senators in the Pledge of Allegiance in honor of “Children’s Day” at the Legislature as designated by Senate Resolution 18.

The Senate also honored the Children’s Theater of Charleston with Senate Resolution 16 for its 75 years of work. Another resolution, Senate Resolution 17, honored dozens of teachers who were recently certified by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.

Twelve bills were introduced in the Senate today. One bill, Senate Bill 658, would allow for the West Virginia Department of Transportation to create and distribute a “Stop Domestic Violence” license plate.

Three bills on third reading on the Senate Calendar were passed and will now be sent to the House for its approval. Senate Bill 298 would include drug and alcohol abuse by parents or guardians as a form of child abuse.

The following committees will meet today:
Pensions – 1:15 p.m. – 451M
Government Organization – 2:00 p.m. – 208W
Finance – 3:00 p.m. – 208W
Judiciary – 3:00 p.m. – 208W

The following committees will meet tomorrow:
Finance – 9:00 a.m. – 451M
Judiciary – 10:00 a.m. – 208W
Education – 2:00 p.m. amd 5:00 p.m. – 451M

The Senate will reconvene at 11:00 a.m. tomorrow, Thursday, February 14.

Abraham Lincoln’s 199th Birthday Recognized in the House

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Members of the House honored the 16th president, Abraham Lincoln, who would have celebrated his 199th birthday today. On April 20, 1863, President Lincoln issued the proclamation through which West Virginia achieved statehood, making it the only state born out of the armed conflict of the Civil War.

A statue of Abraham Lincoln stands outside of the Capitol and is based on the poem “Abraham Lincoln Walks at Midnight” by Vachel Lindsay.

Five bills on second reading on the House Special Calendar were advanced to third reading. In addition, three bills on first reading were advanced to second reading.

The House introduced 16 new bills. One of these, House Bill 4498, would limit liability for repair costs to automobile owners when they hit a deer on a public highway. Another House bill introduced, House Bill 4508, would eliminate the West Virginia income tax on social security benefits.

This brings the total number of House bills introduced this session to 1,141.

The following committees will meet today:
Finance – 1:00 p.m. – 460M
Industry and Labor, Economic Development and Small Business – 1:00 p.m. – 215E
Government Organization – 1:30 p.m. – 215E
Government Organization Subcommittee – Following the Government Organization meeting– 215E
Finance – 2:00 p.m. – 460M

Judiciary – 2:00 p.m. – 410M

Health and Human Resources Subcommittee – 3:00 p.m. – 252

Roads and Transportation Subcommittee – 4:00 p.m. – 252

Senior Citizens Subcommittee A – 4:00 p.m. – 215E

The following committees will meet tomorrow:
Roads and Transportation Subcommittee B – 8:00 a.m. – 215E
Agriculture and Natural Resources – 9:00 a.m. – 215E
Veteran Affairs and Homeland Security – 9:00 a.m. – 215E
Banking and Insurance – 10:00 a.m. – 215E

Pensions and Retirement – 10:00 a.m. – 460M
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 at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, February 13.

Senate Honors Leadership Jefferson, Passes One Bill

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Today, the Senate adopted Senate Resolution 15, which recognizes Leadership Jefferson for its strides towards educating current and future community leaders about Jefferson County’s assets and opportunities while working to develop team and leadership skills.

In addition, eight bills, one joint resolution and two concurrent resolutions were introduced in the Senate today.

The Senate passed Senate Bill 512 and sent it to the House for approval. This bill would change the number of members on the Records Management and Preservation Board for county government entities from nine to 11 members.

Three bills were advanced from second to third reading on the Senate Calender. One bill, Senate Bill 627, would classify a terror threat as a felony regardless of intent to actually commit the alleged act.

The following committees will meet today:
Banking Subcommittee A – 1:30 p.m. – 208W
Banking – 2:00 p.m. – 208W
Education – 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. – 451M
Finance – 3:00 p.m. – 451M
Judiciary – 3:00 p.m. – 208W

The following committees will meet tomorrow:
Judiciary Subcommittee on SB 166 – 9:00 a.m. – President’s Conference Room
Labor – 9:00 a.m. – 208W
Energy, Industry and Mining – 10:00 a.m. – 208W
Pensions – 1:15 p.m. – 451M
Government Organization – 2:00 p.m. – 208W

The Senate will reconvene at 11:00 a.m. tomorrow Wednesday, February 13.

House Adopts Resolution to Honor Former Member

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Today, the House adopted seven resolutions. One, House Resolution 18, commemorated the passing of a former member of the House, James T. Nicol. Nicol gave twenty years of distinguished service to his country as a soldier with the Air Force and went on to serve as a member of the House of Delegates from 1993-1994. His family accepted the resolution on his behalf today on the floor.

Two other bills on third reading on the House Special Calendarwere passed and sent to the Senate for consideration. In addition, five bills on first reading were advanced to second reading.

The House introduced 18 new bills. One of these, House Bill 4481, would authorize the Commissioner of Highways to install “move over” signs along interstate highways and would apply to motorists approaching disabled or emergency vehicles. Another House bill introduced, House Bill 4483, would prohibit certain sex offenders from loitering within one thousand feet of a school or child care facility, school bus stop or other child safety zone.

This brings the total number of House bills introduced this session to 1,125.

The following committees will meet on Monday, February 11:
Education – 1:30 p.m. – 434M
Finance Subcommittee on Rules – 1:30 p.m. – 460M
Government Organization – 2:00 p.m. – 215E
Judiciary – 2:00 p.m. – 410M
Roads and Transportation Subcommittee – 3:00 p.m. – 215E

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

The following committees will meet on Tuesday, February 12:
Education Subcommittee A – 9:00 a.m. – 432M
Finance – 9:00 a.m. – 460M
Health and Human Resources Subcommittee A – 9:00 a.m. – 215E
Judiciary – 9:00 a.m. – 410M

Finance – 1:00 p.m. – 460M
Government Organization – 1:30 p.m. – 215E
Finance – 2:00 p.m. – 460M

Senior Citizens Subcommittee – 4:00 p.m. – 215E

The House will reconvene at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 12.

Senate Passes Defensive Driving Class Bill

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The Senate passed Senate Bill 242 today and sent it to the House for approval. It would allow drivers who complete a defensive driving class, do not have any outstanding violations above 12 points or have not taken the course within the last two years to deduct three points from their license.

One bill on second reading on the senate Calender was advanced to third reading. In addition, two bills on first reading were advanced to second reading.

The Senate also introduced 19 bills and three joint resolutions proposing changes to the state constitution. Bills introduced include Senate Bill 642, which would allow for the transfer of assets from the Teachers’ Defined Contribution Retirement System to the State Teachers Retirement System.

The following committees will meet today:
Finance – 3:00 p.m. – 451M
Judiciary – 3:00 p.m. – 208W

The following committees will meet tomorrow:
Economic Development – 9:00 a.m. – 451M
Transportation – 10:00 a.m. – 451M
Education – 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. – 451M

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

Tourism Day at the Capitol

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With 432,000 West Virginians working in tourism and the number of overnight visitors to our state rising two percent to 11,628,000 annually, growth in the tourism industry is evident. More people are traveling from out of state to enjoy our state’s beautiful, unique landscape and the opportunities it affords visitors. Tourism is booming in West Virginia, with an estimated economic impact of $3.9 billion each year.

On February 8, representatives from dozens of West Virginia’s facets of tourism assembled in celebration of West Virginia Tourism Day at the Capitol. Various display booths covering topics ranging from wildlife to space stretched from the Senate to the House side of the rotunda and consumed the well areas of the floor below.

All organizations present hoped to spread information about what West Virginia has to offer. “If our organizations were more recognized, people would take a better look at the economic impact that we have in small cities. That impact is way greater than what people realize,” said Paul Marey, an officer on the Board of Directors of the West Virginia Association of Fairs and Festivals.

Adventure activities like whitewater rafting and atv tours, luxury resorts such as the Greenbrier and Glade Springs, various fairs, festivals, museums, state parks and other fun activities and local attractions were all featured today at the Capitol.

Legislators took Tourism Day as an opportunity to visit these various booths, sample the foods of West Virginia companies and speak with the representatives from tourism organizations. “It’s great when people come out to advocate things that will better West Virginia. These displays reach out to West Virginians and urge legislative reaction,” said Senator Mike Hall.

Tourism Day has left the Capitol, but it was able to draw attention to West Virginia’s blossoming tourism economy.

House Sends Two Bills to Governor

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Today, the House passed, Senate Bill 459, which would authorize rules of the School Building Authority and the Higher Education Policy Commission. The House also concurred in making House Bill 4147 effective from passage. These bills will now be sent to the Governor for his approval.

Six other bills on third reading on the House Special Calendarwere passed and sent to the Senate for consideration. In addition, two bills on second reading were advanced to third reading.

The House introduced 13 new bills. One of these, House Bill 4467, would make it a misdemeanor to falsify educational or academic records to obtain a benefit. Another House bill introduced, House Bill 4474, would require registered nurses to be present in operating rooms. This brings the total number of House bills introduced this session to 1,107.

The following committees will meet on Monday, February 11:
Education – 1:30 p.m. – 432M
Finance Subcommittee on Rules – 1:30 p.m. – 460M
Government Organization – 2:00 p.m. – 215E
Roads and Transportation Subcommittee – 3:00 p.m. – 215E

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

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

Senate Recognizes the Legislature’s Frasure-Singleton Interns

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Today, Megan Fitzwater, a representative from the West Virginia Legislature’s Frasure-Singleton Internship, addressed the Senate to commend and thank the Senators, Internship Committee members and staff for helping to make this internship possible. After concluding her speech, the Senators gave Megan and all participating Frasure-Singleton Interns a standing ovation.

The Senate had one bill on first reading. Senate Bill 512 would change the number of members on the Records Management and Preservation Board for county government entities from nine to eleven members to accurately reflect the actual board membership.

One other bill on the Senate Calender was advanced from second reading to third.

Eleven bills were introduced in the Senate today. Senate Bill 621 would prohibit lottery ticket sales during certain hours on Sundays. Another introduced bill, Senate Bill 625 would require school principals to make personnel recommendations for the appointment, assignment, promotion, transfer and dismissal of all personnel under his or her supervision.

The following committees will meet Monday, February 11:
Judiciary – 3:00p.m. – 451M

The Senate will reconvene at 11:00 a.m. Monday, February 11, 2008

House Honors Titans Baseball Team and Geri Olympics

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Citations were issued today for the West Virginia Titans baseball team and West Virginia Geri Olympics. The Titans baseball team had a perfect 8-0 record during the USSSA Ten and Under AA World Series Championship. The West Virginia Geri Olympics is an exciting athletic competition for nursing home residents.

Seven bills on second reading on the House Special Calendar were advanced to third reading. One of these bills, House Bill 4030 , would require workplace fatalities to be reported to the Division of Labor. In addition, two bills on first reading were advanced to second reading.

The House introduced 14 new bills. One of these, House Bill 4460, would require property owners to disclose previous existence of a crystal meth lab. Another House bill introduced, House Bill 4461, would provide health insurance under PEIA for surviving dependents of State Police officers killed in the line of duty. This brings the total number of House bills introduced this session to 1,094.

The following committees will meet today:
Finance – 1:00 p.m. – 460M
Government Organization – 1:00 p.m. – 215E
Judiciary Subcommittee A – 1:00 p.m. – 410M
Education – 1:30 p.m. – 432M

Education Subcomittee B – following Education meeting at 1:30 – 432M
Judiciary Subcommittee B – 2:00 p.m. – 410M
Finance – 3:00 p.m. – 460M
Judiciary Subcommittee C – 3:00 – 410M
Senior Issues – 4:00 – 215E

The following committees will meet tomorrow:
Judiciary – 9:00 a.m. – 410M
Finance Subcommittee on Rules – 9:30 a.m. – 460M
Roads and Transportation – 12:30 p.m. – 215E

The House will reconvene at 11:00 a.m. tomorrow, Friday, February 8.

Second House Bill Passes in Senate as Session Reaches Midpoint

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Today in the Senate, House Bill 4147 was reported out of the Government Organization Committee and was passed after suspension of the constitutional rule requiring a bill to be read on three seperate days. This bill will allow the Speaker of the House and the Senate President to designate parking during legislative and interim sessions. The House must agree to make the bill effective from passage before it can be sent to the Governor for his signature.

One bill on first reading was advanced to second reading. Senate Bill 242 would allow drivers who complete a defensive driving class, do not have any outstanding violations above twelve points or have taken the course within the last two years to deduct three points from their license.

The Senate also introduced 19 bills today. One bill, Senate Bill 604 would allow expectant mothers entering their third trimester to obtain special parking permits. These permits would be valid until the infant’s first birthday.

The following committees will meet today:
Health and Human Resources – 1:00p.m. – 451M
Education – 2:00p.m. – 451M
Finance Subcommittee B – 3:00p.m. – 451M

Judiciary – 3:00p.m. – 208W

The following committees will meet tomorrow:
Military – 10:00a.m. – 208W
Natural Resources – 10:00a.m. – 451M

The Senate will reconvene at 11:00 a.m. Friday, February 8.