Blog – Page 391

During Session, Per Diem Staff Helps Power the Legislative Engine

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February 8, 2006

During Session, Per Diem Staff Helps Power the Legislative Engine

For most of the year, the Statehouse is empty and quiet, footsteps echoing off the marble walls. There are 200 employees who work year round for the West Virginia Legislature, but come January the number doubles. Per diem employees fill half of the jobs needed to make the legislative sessions run smoothly. Some of these employees have developed a passion for the legislative process, making it a memorable part of their year.

One office that consists entirely of per diem employees is the Journal Room. The House and Senate Journal Rooms combined employ 19 people during the busy session in a room filled with wooden cabinets and cubby holes that looks more like a mail room than the heart of bill dispensing. These dedicated workers have come back year after year to do a job they look forward to each January. Even with technology becoming part of the system, the Capitol could not do without these employees to disseminate copies of legislation and information to anyone who desires it.

Some have been working in the Journal Room for decades, but they continue to practice their civic duties because over the years they have become a family and appreciate the knowledge they gain from working at the Capitol. Most of the Journal Room staff is retired and their annual return gives them a chance to meet with their friends for a few months of the year, earn some extra money and share their knowledge with people new to the lawmaking system.

“It’s like coming home to a second family,” one employee commented.

House Journal Room House Journal Room staff refill bill boxes with the most recent versions of bills. (Photo: Shane Evans)

They converge from different parts of the state for a few months out of the year and after the session is adjourned, return home to be homemakers, grandparents and retirees.

According to the per diem staff, their duties are sometimes tedious. However, their responsibilities are crucial to everyone housed in the Capitol.

Every other year, the House has carryover bills that are reintroduced in the next session. The employees arrived a week prior to the start of the session to reprocess carryover bills, 646 this year, and to start renumbering. Thousands of old bills are removed from the bins and recycled after all enrolled bills are taken to the clerks office two weeks after session has adjourned. The Journal Room clerks process all of the new bills, originals and copies of all of them. They also put the House Journals together every day, stock 200 and send the others to Delegates’ mailing lists. Abstracts of introduced bills by number are published daily and then set on tables so the public can keep up-to-date on the actions of the Legislature. The abstracts also make it easier for visitors to know which bills they want pulled.

The Senate bill clerks’ duties include collating the rule making bills and filling the floor books for all 34 Senators each morning. The floor books contain readings, status sheets and bills on the calendar. These books allow the Senators to receive all the information they need on a daily basis.

As the bills change and take on different forms, the Journal Room staff constantly updates the shelves so that the most current versions of the bills are on top. The clerks also are in charge of the lobbyists’ paid boxes and stock them daily with all of the bills introduced that day. The House has 40 boxes to stock and the Senate has 60, with 20 going to committees. The Journal Room sends out thousands of bills and journals to mailing lists each week.

The bill clerks’ mornings in the Journal Room are always busy because the new bills arrive and must be sorted and placed into their own cubby hole, 250 copies of each bill to be exact. Like any other job, it has its spurts of excitement and down time. The final two weeks of session receive the most traffic this office will see because it brings the end of bill introduction. Journal Room clerks must stay a few weeks after session has ended to organize all the enrolled bills and get rid of old bills, but to them, that just means more time to spend working with old friends before it’s all over.

The Senate and House Journal Rooms were at one time separated and located next to their respective chambers. The rooms were much smaller, making it more difficult to stay organized. The introduced bills were in tall metal cabinets that could only be accessed by one person at a time by ladder. Other bills had to be stored in a closet with dividers, and when someone needed to find a bill they would have to crawl on the floor to retrieve the bill. Now it is much more automated and efficient for the journal clerks to find what they need. With more space in a larger room that combines House and Senate bills, the staff has a better system to store and number the bills without having to dig through the stacks.

Many people come to the Journal Room before they go anywhere else to collect bills, but the number has dropped since the bills have become available on the Legislature’s Web site.

Computers also have allowed bill drafters to work at a quicker pace. Changes in bills become easier and the new versions reach the journal room in a more timely manner. While computers have made the search for bills much easier and convenient, some believe there is no substitute for hard copies.

A portion of the population does not have access to the Internet and many citizens rely on having a bill in hand while visiting their lawmakers. The Journal Room acts as a depot for lobbyists, citizens and lawmakers to obtain hard copies of these valuable informational materials. And, like all Per Diem staff hired during legislative sessions, the Journal Room employees are a crucial piece of the legislative process.

Vol. XVII Issue 3

Cheyenne DeBolt

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February 1, 2006

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In the Senate

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February 1, 2006

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As of 4 p.m., Wednesday, February 1, the 22nd day of the 2006 Regular Session, 460 bills have been introduced in the Senate, including 105 rule-making bills. Eighteen bills have been passed by the Senate and sent to the House for further consideration. The following seven bills were passed by the Senate since Thursday, January 26:

Senate Bill 7 would establish the State Flood Protection Planning Council, authorize certain duties and require reporting to the Joint Legislative Oversight Commission on Water Resources. The Council would consist of five members and designate one member in rotation to be chair for a term of two years and meet, at least, quarterly.

Senate Bill 51 would allow a name change for persons born in, married in and previously were residents in a county in West Virginia for at least 15 years where the petition is brought. This would assist those who lived in the state for a period of time then moved away, and now wish to have a name change due to divorce or other circumstances.

Senate Bill 242 would allow state-chartered banks to issue more than one class of stock. The shares must have a value of at least $1 and no more than $100 each.

Senate Bill 244 clarifies investment limitations for state chartered banks. The bill would not allow state-chartered banks to invest or expend more of their capital and surplus on permitted activities on an aggregate basis together with any of their approved financially related products and services than would be allowed for a national bank providing the same services, unless waived by the commissioner.

Senate Bill 271 would reduce the time period that state banks are required to retain records from six to five years. This legislation is in compliance with federal requirements.

Senate Bill 370 would exempt farming equipment and livestock from personal property taxation.

Senate Bill 371 would reduce the rate of tax paid on the privilege of severing timber after December 31, 2006.

A Sampling of Bills Introduced in the Senate

Senate Bill 281 would create the All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) Responsibility Act. This would set rules for ATV outfitters and licensees to require them to maintain all equipment and facilities; provide helmets; supply age and size appropriate vehicles to minors (under 18); not rent to minors without consent of a parent or guardian; provide supervision or make sure the parent is providing supervision to minors under the age of 16; and, have every guide certified in CPR and ATV safety training. Under this bill, riders must maintain control of the vehicle, not tamper with any vehicle, obey all rules and wear proper safety equipment.

Senate Bill 284 would deter the practice of setting couches on fire in public rights-of-way by defining such activity as arson in the fourth degree. Upon such conviction, a person would be sentenced to a state correctional facility for no less than one year, or fined to less than $2,500, or both.

Senate Bill 286 would authorize counties and municipalities to restrict limited video lottery locations from being within 2,000 feet of a church, local or state government, school or community center. It also may require the locations to be in industrial zones and no closer than 5,000 feet from another limited video lottery location. This bill also would allow a municipality without a planning commission to adopt an ordinance that would limit areas where businesses may offer limited video lottery. The Lottery Commission Director would supervise and administer licenses for limited lottery locations and register the terminals and equipment used. Effective July 1, 2006, upon passage of the bill, the Lottery Commission would reduce the number of video lottery machines in the state to 4,500 through attrition and restrictions on the sale and transfer of licenses.

Senate Bill 368 would provide housing supplements for members of the West Virginia State Police. The payments would be made in equal monthly installments and should be considered a part of the state minimum salaries of the member of the State Police. Beginning July 1, 2006, members of the State Police who reside in a county in which the average monthly mortgage payment is greater than $700 would receive an annual housing supplement determined accordingly: mortgages ranging from $700-745 would receive $300; $745.01-760 would receive $600; $760.01-790 would receive $900; $790.01-820 would receive $1,200; $820.01-850 would receive $1,500; $850.01-890 would receive $1,800; $890.01-930 would receive $2,100; and, $930.01 and above would receive $2,400.

Senate Bill 420 would restrict billboard advertising of exotic entertainment establishments within one mile of state highways, except if the business itself is located within that mile. In this case, the business could only display a maximum of two exterior signs on the business premises, consisting of one identification sign and one sign giving notice that the premises is off limits to minors. The sign could be no larger than 40 square feet in size with only the name, address, phone number and hours of operation. Signs that existed before the effective date that do not conform to these requirements could remain the same, but must be changed to conform within three years of the effective date.

Senate Bill 422 would allow frequent commuters on the West Virginia Turnpike to turn in accumulated toll receipts that equal the cost of a yearly commuter pass for a commuter pass for the remainder of the calendar year.

Senate Bill 430 would increase the penalties for those convicted as sex offenders and for failing to register as a sex offender. The bill also would provide notice to residents within 1,000 feet of the residence of the sex offender and make it mandatory for a sexually violent predator to wear a GPS device, upon release, monitored by the State Police.

Senate Bill 437 would change the scenic license plate issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles to display the new motto, “Open for Business,” and a portrait of the New River Bridge Arch.

Senate Bill 440 would allow unborn children to be eligible for coverage under the West Virginia Children’s Health Insurance Program.

In the House

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February 1, 2006

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As of 4 p.m., Wednesday, February 1, the 22nd day of the 2006 Regular Session, 993 bills have been introduced in the House of Delegates. Of these 26 bills have been passed by the House and sent to the Senate for its consideration. The following nine bills were passed by the House since Thursday, January 26:

House Bill 2328 would give precedential application to written advisory opinions issued by the Ethics Commission’s Committee on Open Governmental Meetings. This bill would provide reliance on a written opinion of the West Virginia Ethics Commission Committee, making it an absolute defense to certain criminal actions.

House Bill 2424 would prohibit persons from impersonating a public official by copying or imitating the markings of a public agency or official on a motor vehicle. In the bill, the term “impersonate” includes, but is not limited to, falsely representing oneself as a public official or employee while operating a motor vehicle that displays a copy, imitation or reproduction of any official emblem, image, inscription, seal, sign, symbol, logogram or other official marking, connoting government sponsorship. Furthermore, the bill includes motor vehicles equipped with any flashing light, siren or other penetrating warning sound, or other apparatus or equipment generally recognized as being a device commonly associated with an official vehicle used by public officials or employees.

House Bill 4006 would add the counties of Mercer and Raleigh to the counties that participate in the Hatfield-McCoy Regional Recreational Authority. Currently, the participating counties are Boone, Lincoln, Logan, McDowell, Mingo, Wayne and Wyoming.

House Bill 4032 relates to authorizing the Consolidated Public Retirement Board to recover the payment and a fee, from a participating employer who fails to timely pay amounts due. Delinquency surcharges approximating interest or earnings lost as a result of late payment would be assessed.

House Bill 4034 would remove the requirement that a no longer disabled employee must return to his or her former job. It also would permit administrative hearings before disability retirement termination; clarify procedures for re-application by disability retirants whose benefits were terminated for economic causes; clarify that the reinstatement interest factors would be used in error correction matters; and, specify that the board may terminate not only early retirement benefits, but also regular or disability retirement benefits of someone who has fraudulently obtained them. Current code establishes that such fraud is a misdemeanor with jail and monetary penalties.

House Bill 4047 relates to part-time prosecuting attorneys. The bill would make it so that a Class VI county that becomes reclassified as a Class V county, before July 1, 2010, would be able to maintain a part-time prosecuting attorney with the approval of the prosecuting attorney and the county commission. If the prosecuting attorney remains part-time, then the attorney would be paid at the Class VI county level.

House Bill 4052 would provide that alleged victims of domestic violence or abuse have the right to have a person of their choosing present when they are interviewed by law-enforcement officers or by the prosecuting attorney.

House Bill 4068 would limit the eligibility of a person for parole if the person has violated the terms and conditions of probation or home incarceration. The person would not be eligible for consideration for release upon parole until the person has served a minimum of one full year imprisonment or until they are otherwise parole eligible, whichever is longer.

House Bill 4329 would continue the Division of Unemployment Compensation, until July 1, 2010, pursuant to the West Virginia Sunset Law. The Division of Unemployment Compensation provides temporary compensation to those unemployed workers meeting the eligibility requirements of West Virginia law.

A Sampling of Bills Introduced in the House

House Bill 4113 relates to the issuance of a special registration plate for veteran recipients of the United States Armed Forces Air Medal. This amendment is proposed in order to recognize and honor veterans who have earned a United States Armed Forces Air Medal.

House Bill 4122 would make owners and caretakers of a gravesite or cemetery not liable for accidents or injuries to others visiting a gravesite or cemetery. This proposed law would not apply to accidents or injuries that result from acts or omissions involving gross negligence or intentional acts by owners and caretakers.

House Bill 4070 would require property owners to disclose the previous existence on the property of a crystal methamphetamine lab. Failure to do so would render the sale, or the lease of the land voidable at the volition of the buyer, grantee, or lessee.

House Bill 4241 would prohibit a merchant from soliciting a customer’s telephone number during a purchase unless the information is required for a legitimate purpose.

House Bill 4277 would provide a process for public funding of elections for the Governor, Attorney General, Auditor, Commissioner of Agriculture, Secretary of State, Treasurer and members of the Legislature. The bill would establish the “Clean Elections Act,” which would create a voluntary system of public funding to qualified political candidates who agree to accept spending limits and do no other private fund raising. The State Election Commission would be responsible for administering the program. Both civil and criminal penalties would be provided for violations of the Act.

Rule-making Review Process Key to the Workings of State Government

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February 1, 2006

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Rule-making Review Process Key to the Workings of State Government

Capitol Dome Restored In October 2005, the final restoration of the Capitol Dome was completed and unveiled to the public. The project took two years to complete as workers made repairs inside the Dome and restored the exterior to its original form. The Dome, as it presently sits in the colors of gold and gray, has been restored to reflect the original specifications of architect Cass Gilbert. Dark panels of gray offset by gold-leafed symbols and borders now serve as an artistic and architectural reminder of the Kanawha Valley in the 1930s. (Photo: Martin Valent)

This past Monday, January 30th, 2006, marked the 20th day on the Legislative Calendar, the first of several deadline days for the Regular Session. It also was the submission date for Legislative Rule-Making Review bills.

Rule-making bills are an important yet often overlooked aspect of the work that goes on during a legislative session. So what exactly is a rule?

As defined in WV Code Chapter 29A-1-2, a rule is a regulation or standard affecting private rights, privileges or interests or the procedures available to the public. A rule is adopted by an agency to fill in the blanks in the law.

There are three types of rules that also are defined in the WV Code. First, a Legislative Rule is a rule, which, when authorized by Legislature, has the force of law, supplies a basis for the imposition of civil or criminal liability, or grants or denies a specific benefit. A Legislative rule is determinative on any issue affecting a citizen’s rights, privileges or interests.

Second, an Interpretive Rule is adopted by an agency to provide information or guidance to the public regarding an agency’s interpretations, policy or opinions upon the law enforced or administered by it.

Finally, a Procedural Rule is a rule that fixes rules of procedure, practice or evidence for dealings with or proceedings before an agency.

Interpretive and Procedural Rules follow the same procedure for promulgation, which is putting a law into action or force. An agency must file a notice with the State Register, located within the Secretary of State’s Office, no less than 30 days or more than 60 days before the end of the comment period. The rule gets considered for adoption, whereupon a notice of adoption or withdrawal is filed with the State Register. If a rule is adopted, the text of the rule with the notice for adoption is then filed.

The other type of rule, a Legislative Rule, follows a slightly different procedure. A notice of public comment is first filed with the State Register. A copy of the proposed rule is then filed with the Legislative Rule-Making Review Committee (LRMRC). The Committee is comprised of six members of both the House of Delegates and the Senate, chief counsel, four associate counsels and a staff person. At the end of the public comment period, one copy of the Agency Approved rule gets filed with the Secretary of State and 15 copies go to the LRMRC.

The filings with the LRMRC must show the amendments to a current rule by strike-throughs and underlines and also must contain a brief summary of the proposed rule. Also, a statement of the circumstances requiring the proposed rule and a fiscal note must be included.

The Committee decides whether an agency has exceeded the scope of its statutory authority and whether the proposed rule conforms to legislative intent. Finally, the Committee must decide whether or not the proposed rule conflicts with WV Code or any other rule.

The committee also analyzes the proposed rule to determine whether the rule is necessary and reasonable, could be made less complex and whether the rule was proposed for promulgation in compliance with the requirements of State Code.

Following those determinations, the LRMRC may recommend that the Legislature authorize the proposed rule, that they authorize it with modifications, that they authorize it with amendments or that the agency should withdraw the proposed rule.

After a determination is made, and a rule is to be authorized, one copy of the modified rule must be filed with the Secretary of State and 10 copies must be filed with the LRMRC. The Committee’s staff then drafts a bill of authorization for each proposed rule. The Committee then submits its final report to the Legislature and the bills of authorization are introduced in each chamber. As of January 31st, 105 rule-making bills have been introduced. For instance, Senate Bill 377/House Bill 4219 would authorize the Division of Natural Resources to promulgate a legislative rule relating to falconry. The proposed rule would allow a non-resident falconer who possesses a valid falconry permit from another state that meets falconry standards and is listed in the appropriate federal regulations, to pay an initial $100 fee and an annual renewal fee of $100.

Now, the bills are like any other bill introduced and must go through the same process all bills go through in becoming law. If a bill of authorization passes, then the affected agency may promulgate/proclaim the rule. However, if a bill is not approved, then the agency cannot declare the rule valid.

After an authorizing bill passes the Legislature, the agency must promulgate the rules within 60 days of the effective date of the bill. The rule becomes effective 30 days after it is filed or on the date provided for in the bill.

One other type of rule bears mentioning. An Emergency Rule is often used when the Legislature is out of session. Emergency Rules are necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, safety or welfare. Also, to comply with a time limitation, state or federal law, rule or regulation and to prevent substantial harm to the public interest, an Emergency Rule is used.

An agency must file an emergency rule, together with a statement of the facts and circumstances creating the emergency with the Secretary of State and the LRMRC. Emergency Rules become effective upon approval by the Secretary of State in most cases or, in the case of a proposed Secretary of State Emergency Rule, the Attorney General or upon the 42nd day after filing, whichever happens first.

Vol. XVII Issue 2

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January 25, 2006

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In the Senate

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January 25, 2006

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As of 4 p.m., Wednesday, January 25, 2006, the 15th day of the 2006 Regular Session, 276 bills have been introduced in the Senate. Ten bills have been passed by the Senate, including Senate Bill 247, which has completed legislative action.

One measure passed this week was Senate Bill 13, which would require cross-reporting of suspected abuse or neglect of individuals or animals. If a child protective service worker, adult protective service worker, law-enforcement officer or humane officer responded to an alleged incident of domestic violence or animal cruelty, he or she would be required to report any suspicion of further abuse or neglect, unrelated to the current incident, of a child, an incapacitated or elderly person, or an animal to the local child protective services agency of the Department of Health and Human Resources or the county humane officer. This measure will now go to the House for its consideration.

A Sampling of Bills Introduced in the Senate

Senate Bill 219 would prohibit a minor with a learner’s instructional permit or provisional license from using a handheld or hands free cell phone while driving unless he or she is contacting a 9-1-1 system.

Senate Bill 222 would create a fund to reimburse group life insurance premiums for National Guard members called to active duty in combat areas by establishing a Service Members’ Group Life Insurance Reimbursement Fund in the State Treasury administered by the Department of Military Affairs and Public Safety. The provisions of this bill would apply only to premiums paid on or after the date the bill would be passed.

Senate Bill 223, which relates to the examinations of insurance and health care entities, would increase the time insurers, rating organizations and certain health care entities may respond to examination reports from the Insurance Commissioner. The bill also would clarify the Insurance Fraud Prevention Act to apply to certain health care entities and increase the minimum period in which examinations of certain health care entities must be conducted by the Insurance Commissioner.

Senate Bill 225 would provide a one-time supplement for public employee and teacher retirees who have been members of the retirement system for more than 10 years and for retirees who have been members for more than five to 10 years. The bill also would exempt the one-time supplement from West Virginia taxes.

Senate Bill 231 would prohibit an individual who has violated the terms and conditions of his or her probation or home confinement from being granted parole until he or she serves a minimum of one year in prison or until he or she is eligible for parole provided that the individual will not be up for parole for at least one year.

Senate Bill 236 would expand the definition of child abuse or neglect regarding the “imminent danger to the physical well-being of the child” to include a parent or parents who habitually abuse or are addicted to alcohol, controlled substances or drugs to the extent that they are no longer able to maintain proper parenting skills.

Senate Bill 245 would create the Consolidated Local Government Act. This measure would establish processes for municipalities and counties to consolidate, or for a county to consolidate with its principal city, to form a metro government.

Senate Bill 246 would provide a salary supplement of $2,500 and expense reimbursements to professional personnel who have a nationally recognized certification in speech-language pathology, audiology or counseling.

Senate Bill 253 would change the PROMISE Scholarship Program to the PROMISE Forgivable Student Loan Program and defer repayment of the loan while the student is enrolled in a West Virginia institution of higher education or working in West Virginia after graduation. The loan would be forgiven each year the graduate who received the PROMISE files a West Virginia resident personal income tax return and completely forgiven after four years of filing.

Senate Bill 258 would prohibit any individual other than the owner of a dog, including hunting dogs, from removing identification tags, collars or apparel from a dog or disabling a device worn by a dog to aid in its retrieval without the permission of the owner. A person who would violate this provision would be guilty of a misdemeanor penalty and, if convicted, either would be confined to jail between 90 days and six months, and/or fined $100.

Senate Bill 260 would create a registry of convicted clandestine drug lab operators. This registry would provide information regarding such criminals and direct the Criminal Identification Bureau of the State Police to establish a Web site for the public to use to access information regarding the registry.

Senate Bill 264 would designate English as the official language for West Virginia. The bill would not require or prohibit any state agency or political subdivision from providing any documents, information, literature or other written materials in any other language.

Senate Bill 265 would add to the West Virginia Veterans Memorial Monument the names of all West Virginians who died while serving the United States in the Kosovo, Afghanistan or Iraq conflicts.

Senate Bill 267 would prevent the Public Employees Insurance Agency (PEIA) from raising retired employees’ premiums more than 5 percent above premium rates starting January 1, 2006, until the Legislature creates a cost of living adjustment for retired employees receiving annuities from public retirement plans administered by the Consolidated Retirement Board.

Senate Bill 268 would require a mandatory alert when natural gas or other petroleum product pipeline facilities are seen damaged during commercial activities near pipeline facilities. Individuals violating the provisions would suffer a civil penalty of no more than $100,000 per day until the violation is corrected, and/or would be guilty of a misdemeanor and be fined $10,000.

Senate Bill 276 would create a special unit within the State Police known as the Child Abuse and Neglect Investigations Unit which would focus on child abuse or neglect cases and help Child Protective Services identify criminal violations.

In the House

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January 25, 2006

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As of 4 p.m., Wednesday, January 25, the 15th day of the 2006 Regular Session, 754 bills have been introduced in the House of Delegates. Of those, 17 bills have been passed by the House and sent to the Senate for its consideration. The following 15 bills also were passed by the House since Thursday, January 19:

House Bill 2329 would authorize a court to order a defendant to contribute monetarily or through service hours to a local crime victim’s assistance program or juvenile mediation program. The defendant convicted of a felony or misdemeanor who caused physical, psychological or economic injury or loss to a victim, in addition to other penalties, could be required to use personal time or money to particular non-profit causes approved of by circuit court judges.

House Bill 2448 would create a new felony offense for the theft of mail and the possession of stolen mail. If convicted, the defendant would be imprisoned for a period of 1-5 years with a fine of no more than $2,500. However, misdirected or misaddressed mail would be exempt from this measure.

House Bill 2945 would prohibit solicitors who request water samples from state residents from doing so unless they attach a note that would identify the name of their company, the address and telephone number. Violators would be charged $200 for each violation.

House Bill 3212 would establish a misdemeanor offense for first-time intimidation against public officers and employees, jurors, witnesses and informants, including elected and appointed officials. A felony would be established for second time offenders.

House Bill 3213 would establish various offenses of assault and battery against any person who operates a vehicle used for public travel. Those found guilty of malicious assault on a driver could receive 3-15 years in a state correctional facility. If the attack is committed without malice, making it an unlawful assault, a person could be sentenced to 2-5 years in a correctional facility.

House Bill 4011 would create a special unit within the state police specializing in child abuse and neglect investigations. It would be named the State Police Child Abuse and Neglect Investigations Unit and would focus on identifying, investigating and prosecuting criminal child abuse and neglect cases, in coordination with Child Protective Services. The investigation unit would include a minimum of six State Police members as well as five regional members who would coordinate investigations with other law enforcement personnel for cases of suspected child abuse or neglect.

House Bill 4012 would create a state child abuser registry and establish penalties for persons convicted of child abuse or neglect for failure to properly report registration information. A registrant would be required to provide their full name, including aliases and nicknames. Furthermore, the registrant’s address, social security number, fingerprints, a description of the registrant’s crime(s) and the address where they intend to work would be included in the registry.

House Bill 4019 would repeal the section of State code that directs the Legislature to prepare and distribute a digest or summary of the Budget Bill each year after its passage.

House Bill 4021 would create a pilot program of health care participants to provide primary and preventive health services for a prepaid fee. Participants in this program would be health care clinics and private medical practitioners. A Commission on Health Care Reform would be established with this legislation and the Appalachian State Health Plan would be created to provide health care coverage to state citizens.

House Bill 4037 would correct definitions that would apply to the assessment of real property. This legislation would provide that all real property “used and occupied exclusively for residential purposes” is taxed as Class II property. Also, this legislation would allow a second home to be classified as Class II property. The amendments in this bill would be effective retroactively for July 1, 2005, for tax year 2006 and thereafter.

House Bill 4038 would allow surplus personal computers and technology owned by state organizations to be donated and transferred to county school boards for educational purposes. Donated technology would be inspected by state authorities to ensure that it meets the minimum criteria for use within the public school system. If approved, the computers would then be advanced to the State Agency for Surplus Property and the Department of Education.

House Bill 4040 would require voter approval before a closure or consolidation of certain schools with grades eight or below in situations when new building construction or an addition of two or more classrooms are involved, provided the closure or consolidation was not included in a local bond issue levy approved by the voters. Before any decision of a county board on a proposal to close or consolidate a school can be finalized, the board would be required to conduct a public hearing. Also, a petition of voters is required for elections to be held.

House Bill 4048 would prohibit the use of eminent domain for private interests. With this bill, eminent domain could not be used for the purposes of private retail, office, commercial, industrial or residential development. This would not apply to property that is considered to be in blighted or slum areas.

House Bill 4049 would create the “Higher Education Grand Fund.” Furthermore, this measure would expand eligibility for the PROMISE scholarship to particular students who attend high school outside of West Virginia, due to a parent(s)’ involvement with the U.S. military. Funding for the PROMISE Scholarship would be capped at 2 percent growth per year; thus, any higher education provider in the state would be required to set tuition hikes at 2 percent as well.

House Bill 4069 would continue the Rural Health Advisory Panel until July 1, 2009. The Rural Health Advisory Panel oversees the administration of the West Virginia Rural Health Education Partnerships and advises the Vice Chancellor for Health Sciences of the Higher Education Policy Commission.

State Lawmakers Rapidly Respond to Mine Rescue Procedures

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January 25, 2006

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State Lawmakers Rapidly Respond to Mine Rescue Procedures

State Flag Hangs at Half-Mast For the second time in less than three weeks, the West Virginia state flag hangs at half-mast outside the State Capitol Building to honor coal miners who lost their lives. Two coal miners passed away after rescue teams were unable to save them following an underground fire at the Aracoma Alma Number One Mine on Thursday, January 19. This disaster followed the Sago Mine tragedy where 12 minors died after an underground explosion on January 3. In response to the recent tragedies, the State Legislature passed a bill that greatly increases safety regulations and standards coal mining companies must follow. The accidents also have prompted the Federal Government to discuss the deficiencies in current mine safety. (Photo: Shane Evans)

Less than three weeks after the tragic Sago mine accident in Tallmansville, WV in which 12 miners lost their lives, a second mining tragedy in Logan County last week claimed two more West Virginians. With the eyes of the nation once again focused on the Mountain State, members of the State Legislature acted quickly to develop life-saving legislation in regard to mine and industrial emergencies.

Although the investigations into the causes of these mine accidents that have impacted so many of the state’s citizens are still ongoing, the West Virginia Legislature worked diligently throughout the day on Monday, January 23rd to see to the approval of legislation directly affecting mine safety regulations.

Following the Aracoma Coal Mine disaster, Senate President Earl Ray Tomblin took an historical step by leaving his podium and introducing a measure from the Senate floor. In an unprecedented speech, President Tomblin appealed to his colleagues to suspend the Constitutional Rules that call for a bill to be read on three consecutive days, and enact immediate and necessary changes to current mine safety laws.

In less than eight hours, members of both the State Senate and House of Delegates discussed and passed Senate Bill 247, which mandates immediate and crucial upgrades in West Virginia’s rescue technology and provides for better communication among local and state officials and mine operators when an accident occurs.

Along with the passage of this measure, the first of its kind, the Speaker of the House of Delegates Robert “Bob” Kiss developed a special House Committee on Mine Safety to further study mine safety issues. This bi-partisan committee will look into additional policy changes that can be made during the current 60-day Session.

With the passage of Senate Bill 247, West Virginia has taken the lead in mandating the usage of this technology in every mine within its borders and has once again forged ahead in establishing mine safety standards. In 1968, the federal government passed the Mine Safety and Health Act in response to the devastating mine explosion that killed 78 miners in Farmington. And in 1972, Congress revamped federal laws pertaining to settling pond construction after 125 people were killed by flooding caused by an impoundment break along Buffalo Creek.

As lawmakers in Washington D.C. take notice of the major developments in mine safety contained within Senate Bill 247, the West Virginia Legislature’s unanimous approval of this measure is proof of its steadfast dedication to improving mine safety efforts here in the Mountain State. Although the bill is not a cure-all to prevent further mine tragedies, it is a major step in developing policies that can aid in the rescue of mine accident victims.

Brief Summary of Senate Bill 247

Senate Bill 247, passed by the Legislature on Monday January 23, 2006, seeks to provide additional safety and rescue provisions to enable expeditious response and prolong survivability within a mine after an accident occurs. The bill touches upon three major concepts: additional oxygen supplies; upgrades in specific technologies; and, greater streamlining of response efforts within local and state entities.

The bill requires oxygen apparatuses to be strategically placed throughout underground mines to provide extended caches of breathable air for those trapped by a mining accident. These breathing devices could provide valuable time for miners who find themselves barricaded underground. In addition, battery powered strobe lights and lifeline cords could be connected to these caches for visibility and access.

The use of wireless technology is a major component of the new safety regulations, including the required use of wireless emergency communication devices and wireless tracking systems. With communication a key aspect in rescue efforts, utilizing wireless devices that will keep those miners who are underground in contact with those on the surface will be crucial to their recovery.

Along those lines, the use of wireless tracking systems to provide real-time monitoring of the actual location of each miner underground may enable rescue teams to have the ability to know where to start searching and possibly reach those trapped in a more expeditious manner. This tracking information, however, could not be used against a miner in non-emergency situations.

To avoid further delay in the response and recovery when a disaster hits, the bill requires the mine operator or foreman in charge of the mine to notify local authorities or contact the newly created statewide Mine and Industrial Accident Emergency Operations Center within 15 minutes of realizing an accident has occurred.

This center, which is to be maintained by the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, will become the official and primary state government communications hub for dealing with mine and industrial accidents. The Division also will be required to establish a 24-hour statewide telephone hotline to increase communication in disaster response.

Vol. XVII Issue 1

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January 18, 2006

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