Guests from Leadership Berkeley, a Berkeley County Chamber of Commerce program designed to develop and enhance community leadership, were recognized today on the floor of the Senate with the adoption of Senate Resolution 9.

Five bills on third reading were passed and will go to the House for consideration. One of these bills, Senate Bill 238 , would increase the monetary limit to file circuit court suit. The other bills passed would repeal outdated codes relating to correctional centers. Three bills were advanced to third reading and will be up for passage on Tuesday. In addition, three Senate bills on first reading were advanced to second reading.

The Senate introduced 18 bills. One of these bills, Senate Bill 465 , would eliminate the business franchise tax. This brings the total number of Senate bills introduced this session to 477.

The following committees will meet today:
Natural Resources – 1:00 p.m. – 208W
Finance Subcommittee A – 3:00 p.m. – 451M
Judiciary – 3:00 p.m. – 208W

The following committees will meet tomorrow:
Banking and Insurance – 4:00 p.m. – 208W
Economic Development – 9:00 a.m. – 451M
Transportation and Infrastructure – 10:00 a.m. – 451M

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

Currently, no fossil has been designated as the official fossil for the State of West Virginia. However, there are Concurrent Resolutions circulating in both Chambers of the Legislature which seek to designate a state fossil, the Megalonyx Jeffersonii or Jefferson’s Ground Sloth, in honor of President Thomas Jefferson. See House Concurrent Resolution 12 and Senate Concurrent Resolution 29.

According to both resolutions, in 1797 President Thomas Jefferson obtained and described fossil bones from a limestone cave in what is now Monroe County. These bones were again described by Casper Wistar in 1799 as the bones of a giant extinct ground sloth. The bones are from the Ice Age, or Pleistocene Epoch, which lasted from 10,000 to 1.8 million years ago, and afford an opportunity for special studies in American, state and natural history for the students of the state.

The Legislature believes that increased interest in both fossils and their study has become more common around West Virginia and by designating a state fossil, the state could better promote the earth sciences and the history of our region. If these resolutions were to be adopted, West Virginia would become the 40th state in the nation to name an official state fossil.

Three Senate bills on first reading were advanced to second reading on the Senate Calendar. One of these bills, Senate Bill 257, would repeal outdated penitentiary code provisions. Five bills were advanced to third reading and will be up for passage on Monday.

The Senate introduced 116 rule-making bills, as well as received an originating bill from the Education Committee. The originating bill was Senate Bill 459, which would clarify the authority of the School Building Authority. This brings the total number of Senate bills introduced this session to 459.

The Senate also introduced Senate Resolution 8, which would express support for West Virginia University Institute of Technology.

The following committees will meet Monday, January 28:
Natural Resources – 1:00 p.m. – 208W
Finance Subcommittee A – 3:00 p.m. – 451M
Judiciary – 3:00 p.m. – 208W

The Senate will reconvene at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, January 28.

Five Senate bills on first reading were advanced to second reading on the Senate Calendar. One of these bills, Senate Bill 238, would increase the monetary limit to file a circuit court suit. The other four bills also have same as companion bills in the House of Delegates.

The Senate also introduced 16 bills, bringing the total number of Senate bills introduced this session to 342. Some of these new bills included Senate Bill 327, which would expend money for certain veterans’ grave markers, and Senate Bill 339, which would create the Uniform Real Property Electronic Recording Act.

The Senate also introduced Senate Joint Resolution 7 which would amend the Constitution to designate a Homestead Exemption Increase Amendment.

The following committees will meet today, January 24:
Health and Human Resources – 1:00 p.m. – 451M
Education – 2:00 p.m. – 451M
Finance – 3:00 p.m. – 451M
Judiciary – 3:00 p.m. – 208W

The following committees will meet tomorrow, January 25:
Joint Judiciary Committee – 9:00 a.m. – House Chamber
Military – 10:00 a.m. – 208W

The Senate will reconvene at 11 a.m. on Friday, January 25.

Senate Bill 271, Senate Bill 272, and Senate Bill 273 were the first bills passed today by the Senate. These bills will be sent to the House.

The Education and Judiciary committees sent recommendations to the Senate to pass seven bills. Five of these bills will be on first reading on the Senate calendar. The other two were re-referred to committee.

The Senate also introduced 25 bills, including Senate Bill 313, which would prohibit text messaging while driving, Senate Bill 316, which would create the Joint Parenting Act, and Senate Bill 318, which would exempt Social Security income from state income tax.

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

The following committees will meet tomorrow, January 24:
Finance Subcommittee B – 9:30 a.m. – 451M

The Senate adjourned until 11 a.m. on Thursday, January 24.