The House of Delegates voted on another bill for passage today. Members passed House Bill 4010 which would remove the limitations on terms for members on the board of library directors.

There were no bills on second reading today and House Bill 4036 was on first reading. This bill would grant the board of Respitory Care Practitioners rulemaking authority and the issuance of temporary permits to students.

The House also heard House Resolution 7 which names today, January 21, 2008, Veteran’s Visability Day.

The following committees will meet today, January 21st:

Education – 1:00 p.m. – 432M
Judiciary – 2:00 p.m. – 410M
Finance – 1:45 p.m. – 460M
Health and Human Resources – 4:00 p.m. – 215E

The following meetings will meet tomorrow:

Finance – 9:00 a.m. – 460M
Government Organization – 1:30 p.m. – 215E

Finance – 2:00 p.m. – 460M

The House is adjourned until 11:00 a.m. tomorrow, January 22, 2008.

The statue, “The West Virginia Coal Miner” stands on the capitol grounds, “in honor and in recognition of the men and women who have devoted a career, some a lifetime, towards providing the state, nation, and world with low-cost reliable household and industrial energy.” After several mine tragedies in recent years, the statue’s significance has grown – as has state lawmaker’s continued push for safer mining legislation.

Two years ago this weekend a fire at the Aracoma Alma Mine No. 1 at Melville in Logan County claimed the lives of two miners. This came following the Sago mine disaster which claimed 12 brave miners and was followed by separate accidents in Boone County which claimed two more lives. This caused a “stand-down on mine safety” at West Virginia coal mines until all could be thoroughly inspected. Lawmakers swiftly took action, passing the 2006 mine safety legislation, Senate Bill 247, to address issues raised by these disasters.

Mine safety continues to be an issue of upmost importance during this 2008 Regular Session, as the House of Delegates has already passed House Bill 2020 and sent it to the Senate for its approval. The bill requires mine operators to inform employees of any hazardous chemical substances and lead exposure through warning notices clearly posted in the work area. The bill also specifies that the state Director of the Office of Miner’s Health, Safety and Training must compile the list of hazardous substances and related safety information, as well as set a criminal penalty in case of violation.

Three bills which were passed out of the Judiciary Committee earlier in the week were read a third time and passed unanimously by the House. The bills will now be sent to the Senate for consideration.

Committee Substitute for House Bill 2104 would ensure a victim’s right to testify at sentencing in criminal cases. The committee substitute would change language that would require judges to make sure that victim’s were given proper notice of the sentencing hearing.

Committee Substitute for House Bill 2402 would prohibit a person from impersonating a public official by copying or imitating the markings of a public agency or official on a motor vehicle.

House Bill 2503 would authorize the Division of Motor Vehicles to issue an indentification card to West Virginia residents who already possess a valid driver’s license.

There was only one bill on second reading and zero bills on first reading today on the House Calendar . A total of six bills were introduced in the House today.

The following committees will meet Monday, January 21st:

Education – 1:00 p.m. – 432M
Judiciary – 1:30 p.m. – 410M
Finance – 1:45 p.m. – 460M
Health and Human Resources – 4:00 p.m. – 215E

The House is adjourned until 11:00 a.m. Monday, January 21, 2008.

The first two bills to reach third reading on the House Calendar were passed today.

House Bill 2020 would require mine operators to provide notice of hazardous chemical substances and lead exposure to its employees. House Bill 4038 would allow the Division of Labor to promulgate rules relating to the licensing of elevator workers. These bills will now go to the Senate for its consideration.

Also on the House Calendar three bills were read a second time and advanced to third reading and one bill was on first reading and advanced to second reading.

The House also introduced 26 new bills today which brings the total number of bills introduced in the House this session to 717.

The following committees will meet today:

Education Subcommittee B – 1:00 p.m. – 432M
Finance – 1:00 p.m. – 460M
Government Organization – 1:30 p.m. – 215E
Judiciary – 2:00 p.m. – House Chamber
LOCEA – 2:00 p.m. – 450M

The following committees will meet tomorrow:

Judiciary – 9:00 a.m. – 410M

The House is adjourned until 11:00 a.m. tomorrow, January 18, 2008.