As the first session of the 76th Legislature nears the final bell, and the gavels drop on the 2003 Legislative Session, legislators thoughts and energy now shift toward finalizing and passing House Bill 2050, the Budget Bill. Within days of the beginning of the Regular Session of the Legislature, the Governor submitted to the Legislature a budget for the upcoming fiscal year, 2004. The budget contained a complete plan of proposed expenditures and estimated revenues for the fiscal year and showed the estimated surplus or deficit of revenues at the end of the fiscal year.
The Governor hand delivered to the presiding officer of each house the budget and a bill for all the proposed appropriations of the budget clearly itemized and classified. The President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House promptly introduced the bill in their respective houses, which is yearly known as the “Budget Bill.”
The Legislature is not allowed, by the State Constitution, to amend the Budget Bill so that a deficit is created but is within its power to amend the bill by increasing or decreasing any item contained within it with the exception of any item relating to the Judiciary.
If the Budget Bill has not been finally acted upon by the Legislature three days before the expiration of its regular session, the Governor is allowed to issue a proclamation extending the session for any period as may be necessary for the passage of the bill. During this time, no matter other than the Budget Bill can be considered.
This upcoming fiscal year, FY 2004, the Governor’s budget is projected at $3.034 billion, assuming a number of variables and increases in funding transpire. This projected budget is an increase of $104.3 million in total dollars from the Fiscal Year 2003 largely due to a proposed increase in the cigarette tax, projected increases in Lottery revenue and a projected 1.3 percent revenue growth rate for an increase of $36.5 million.
The proposed budget includes $417.9 million in Lottery proceeds which are used to fund essential day-to-day operations within the state government. Also, a majority of state agencies have been asked to reduce spending to help alleviate and offset a bleak revenue outlook. Agencies are also being asked to absorb increases in the Public Employees Insurance Agency (PEIA), the Consolidated Public Retirement Board (CPRB) and premium increases in the Board of Risk and Insurance Management (BRIM) totaling $14.25 million for FY 2004.
The Legislature is now ready to complete the Budget Bill having focused the early part of session on drafting major pieces of legislation. The Legislature’s budget is expected to differ only slightly from the Governor’s version.
Once the House of Delegates and the Senate pass respective versions of the Budget Bill, the bill will go into a conference committee which will allow the conferees, selected by the Senate President and House Speaker, to address the entire bill. The conferees reconcile any differences between the proposed bills and file a conference report containing the finalized bill to the Clerks of each body. The report is then submitted to the respective floors of each body where the members have the final say on accepting or rejecting the Budget Bill.
This is the only bill the Legislature is required by the State Constitution to pass each year. With states across the nation dealing with a national economic downturn, only six states in the last fiscal year ended the year in the black – West Virginia was fortunately one of them. However, the state could not avoid feeling the crunch this year and developing the budget has been quite an arduous task.
Legislature Turns Attention Toward State Budget
In the House
As of 5 p.m., Wednesday, February 26, 2003, the 50th day of the 2003 Regular Legislative Session, 1,196 bills have been introduced in the House of Delegates. Of those, 54 bills were passed by the House this week and now will go to the Senate for its consideration. Among those passed were:
House Bill 2240 would provide an opportunity for persons purchasing or renewing hunting or fishing licenses to donate to the “Hunters Helping the Hungry Program.” It would require every application for hunting and fishing licenses to contain a provision notifying the applicant of the option to donate to the program; authorize the collection of donations by issuing authorities; and require donations to be deposited in a special account to be used exclusively to support the program, including the payment of fees related to the butchering of game carcasses.
House Bill 2359 would allow all of the fees collected for required inspections done by the Office of the State Fire Marshal and for license fees for electricians and electrical inspectors to be kept in the special revenue account, instead of having 10% of the fees transferred to the General Revenue Fund. It also would require that the tax on insurance companies, which provide insurance against the hazard of fire, be deposited in that account.
House Bill 2477 would permit a homestead exemption and Class II property classification to continue on a home or residence, when an otherwise qualified property owner is no longer residing at the property and is either living with other family members, or is living in a nursing home, rehabilitation center, personal care home or similar facility, due to illness, accident or infirmity. Additionally, the filing and review deadlines for a claimed homestead exemption would be revised to give more time to file a request for an exemption and to give the Tax Department an opportunity to respond to the requests.
House Bill 2511 would provide special license plates for members of the Nemesis Shrine, volunteers and employees of the American Red Cross, individuals who have received the Combat Infantry Badge or Combat Medic Badge, members of the Knights of Columbus and former members of the Legislature. The bill also would allow volunteer firefighters to have unlimited plates and their plates would cost an additional $10.
House Bill 2529 would change the term polygraph to psychophysiological detection of deception device and would establish two different classes of licensure for these examiners. A Class I license would authorize an individual to offer these tests for all purposes which are permissible under the provisions of this article and other applicable laws and rules. A Class II license would authorize an individual who is a full time employee of law enforcement agencies to administer tests to its employees or prospective employees only.
House Bill 2749 relates to the reciprocal licensure of physical therapists from other states or countries. Reciprocity would only extend to therapists whose licensing state allows West Virginia therapists the same courtesy.
House Bill 2847 would make the law enforcement agency that arrests an individual responsible for his/her transportation to a regional jail. In so doing, the bill would encourage transportation agreements between a county and the other law enforcement agencies.
House Bill 2868 would authorize the Alcohol Beverage Control Commissioner (ABCC) to enter into contracts for the sale, licensing or promotion of scanner technology that has been developed by the agency. Scanner technology is defined as devices that are designed to capture information on the back of driver’s licenses which verify the age of the person purchasing alcohol. The ABCC has received a trademark on technology that several other states have expressed interest in licensing. This bill would allow these contracts.
House Bill 2882 would remove the ability of the Surface Mining Board to grant a stay or suspension of an order based on the grounds that it will cause “unjust hardship” upon the permittee. The Office of Surface Mining has objected to this provision in the state program and has requested that West Virginia make this change to the statute.
House Bill 2984 would provide a one year window for a teacher who was receiving Workers’ Compensation as a result of a work related injury to purchase up to five years service credit for the time the teacher was recovering. The injury and related time off must have occurred between 1988 and 1998. This would open a one year period of time for this purchase, which is FY2004. Finally, the bill would provide that a teacher who purchases the service time would receive a one year increment credit for each year purchased.
House Bill 3031 would allow a child receiving home instruction to take public school courses for credit, which are available over the Internet. The child would be counted in enrollment for the number of hours required for the course. Any textbooks and other curricular materials provided to public school students would be provided to the student. Also, a child enrolled for at least three credit hours (four if the school isn’t on a block schedule), meets the minimum grade point average and takes all statewide assessment tests required, would be authorized to participate in extracurricular activities that the public school provides.
House Bill 3188 would define the period of driver’s license suspension for a student who withdraws from school. It would prohibit the Division of Motor Vehicles from reinstating the license before the end of the semester following the semester in which the withdrawal occurred. Under current law, withdrawal is defined as more than 10 consecutive or 15 total days unexcused absences during a school year.
In the Senate
As of 4 p.m. Wednesday, February 26, 2003, the 50th day of the 2003 Regular Legislative Session, 653 bills have been introduced in the Senate. Of those, 60 bills were passed this week and will be sent to the House of Delegates for its consideration. Among those passed were:
Senate Bill 430 would provide additional restrictions on outdoor advertising. Restrictions in the bill apply mainly to billboards and advertisements with a surface area of more than 300 square feet. Provisions would restrict multiple advertisements using one billboard structure and limit structures to one per location.
Senate Bill 112 would allow farm wineries to manufacture, serve and sell certain wines. The bill would require wines to have been matured in a wooden barrel or cask and have an alcohol content of no more than 22 percent by volume.
Senate Bill 205 would change the criminal intent for animal cruelty crimes. The bill would mandate that anyone who intentionally, knowingly or recklessly kills or poisons a companion animal be charged with a misdemeanor carrying a fine between $300 and $500. Provisions in the bill would exempt the person who kills or injures an animal that attacks a person or his or her pet.
Senate Bill 338 would establish a Medicaid buy-in program for certain individuals with disabilities. Competitively employed disabled individuals between 16 and 64 years of age who meet certain income requirements would be able to buy into the Medicaid program for $50.
Senate Bill 395 would grant temporary grandparent visitation during divorce action. To receive visitation rights, the bill would require grandparents to submit an application or petition to Family Court during the divorce proceedings.
Senate Bill 354 would impose penalties for operating or attempting to operate a secret drug laboratory. The bill would make such operations a felony and would mandate a fine between $5,000 and $25,000 and a prison sentence between one and five years.
Senate Bill 391 would reduce training requirements for certain State Police Cadets. The bill would allow the State Police Superintendent to reduce training requirements for cadets who have previously served at least three years as law-enforcement officers and were laid off.
Senate Bill 162 would remove certain vehicle license information for 19 year olds. The measure would prevent any third parties from receiving records of license suspensions, denials or revocations due to school attendance.
Senate Bill 342 would limit the time driver’s licenses may be issued to certain noncitizens. The bill would allow licenses to be issued only to cover the time the person is authorized to reside in the United States. The bill would impose a five year limit on such licensing.
Senate Bill 95 would increase the allowable length and width of motor homes, travel trailers and truck campers. The bill would require the Department of Highways Commissioner to publish annually the various maximum vehicle lengths with an official map of highways.
Senate Bill 399 would require criminal history checks for persons working with children on school property. The bill would require persons not employed by County Boards of Education but who work directly with children in grades K-12 to be fingerprinted by the West Virginia State Police. The fingerprints would then be run through a database to determine criminal history, if any.
Senate Bill 90 would increase the number of certain volunteer group sales exempted from consumers sales tax. Under the bill,
volunteer fire departments and volunteer school support groups would be allowed to hold fundraisers up to 18 times a year as long as those fundraisers do not exceed a consecutive 84-hour period.
Senate Bill 107 would create a Back-ToSchool Sales Tax Holiday for school supply purchases. The Tax Holiday would begin on the first Friday of August, 2003 and end the following Sunday. This would apply to items such as clothing, shoes, pens, binders and other school supplies costing less than $100 each. Computer purchases up to $750 would be exempt from taxation during this period as well.
Completed Legislation
House Bill 2763 allows auxiliary roof mounted lighting on motor vehicles only when it comes as original equipment. These lights must be off and covered while the vehicle is driving upon the highway.
Senate Bill 170 creates the “Women’s Right to Know Act”. The purpose of this bill is to require that pregnant women be provided certain information in a prescribed form prior to undergoing an abortion. This bill requires a physician to obtain the voluntary and informed consent of a female prior to performing an abortion. It requires a physician or the physician’s agent to provide certain specified information to meet this standard, except in the case of a medical emergency. The information must be provided by the physician either over the phone or in person at least 24 hours before the abortion procedure. The female is required to certify in writing, prior to the abortion that she has received the required information.
Senate Bill 182 relates to child passenger safety seats, booster seats and safety devices. This bill requires that every driver transporting children less than nine years of age in certain motor vehicles must maintain and secure the child in a child passenger safety seat or booster seat or other safety device meeting federal motor vehicle safety standards.
Senate Bill 163 continues of Driver’s Licensing Advisory Board until the first day of July, 2009, pursuant to the West Virginia Sunset Law.
Senate Bill 165 continues the Commission for National and Community Service until the first day of July, 2009, pursuant to the West Virginia Sunset Law.
Senate Bill 416 continues the Massage Therapy Licensure Board until the first day of July, 2015, pursuant to the West Virginia Sunset Law.
Senate Bill 418 continues the West Virginia Investment Management Board until the first day of July, 2005, pursuant to the West Virginia Sunset Law.
Senate Bill 215 makes a supplementary appropriation to Department of Health and Human Resources, Health Care Authority.
Senate Bill 281 continues the Department of Environmental Protection until July 1, 2004, pursuant to the West Virginia Sunset Law.
Heavier Workload Requires Increased Deliberation
As the close of the Regular 60-day Session in Charleston draws near, some West Virginians may not be fully aware that much of the hard work put forth by lawmakers may not result in the passage of legislation until the closing days of the Session.
Lawmakers and their staff must work at a frenzied pace during the 60-day Regular Session in order to develop legislation that is palatable to the greatest possible majority. Due to the checks and balances required for an efficient state government to operate, an average of only 14.3 percent of bills introduced every session eventually become law. In 1988, only seven percent of the bills introduced were passed into law. In 1995, 17.8 percent of the bills introduced eventually passed into law. This was the highest percentage of bills passed in the past 15 years. As of Wednesday, 24 bills have passed both houses but as in recent years, the number of bills passed will increase exponentially in the last few days of the Session. Between both houses, a total of 1,833 bills have been introduced this Session. Over the last 15 years, an average of 1,690 bills have been introduced each Regular Legislative Session. With 143 more bills introduced than the average Session, lawmakers have had a heavier workload to consider this year.
The Regular Session of the 76th Legislature has required lawmakers to deal with challenges not encountered in recent years. Complicated issues, which are vital to West Virginia’s future prosperity, include but are not limited to: Medical Malpractice Liability Insurance, the unfunded liability of Workers’ Compensation and the State Budget. The Legislature is continuing to work on all bills up for consideration. The issues of Medical Malpractice and Worker’s Compensation have
already passed both bodies and have been sent to Conference Committee for consideration by representatives of both the House and Senate. Many issues considered by the Legislature this Session are also made more challenging by the current economic hardships experienced by both the state and nation. Lawmakers have been given charge to develop innovative new solutions to many difficult problems because of these obstacles. As West Virginia works with complicated issues, surrounding states will look to see how the Legislature confronts issues they are facing.
Due to the complexity and importance of these issues, nearly every citizen has concerns he or she wishes to express to their elected representatives. Because of technological advancements in communication, it is easier for more West Virginians to communicate with members of the Legislature than ever before. Citizens have instantaneous access to the legislative process and the status of proposed legislation through the use of the Internet.
Because of this improved communication between elected officials and constituents, lawmakers are presented with more options by those they represent. As legislators receive more input on every bill up for consideration, they require more time to deliberate on these issues, collaborate with colleagues and develop legislation to benefit the best interest of their constituents and the state. This deliberation is done through the committee and amendment processes. These processes are designed to give every member of the Legislature an opportunity to appropriately represent their constituents on each bill they encounter.
In the House
As of 4 p.m., Wednesday, February 19, 2003, the 43rd day of the 2003 Regular Legislative Session, 1,073 bills have been introduced in the House of Delegates. Of those, 15 bills were passed by the House this week and will now go to the Senate for its consideration. Among those were:
House Bill 2203 would conform certain state traffic laws to federal regulations related to the use of seatbelts and Driving Under the Influence (DUI) so as to qualify for federal grants and avoid penalties against portions of federal-aid highway funds. The measure would establish the use of seat belts as a primary offense, meaning
House Bill 2433 relates to vocational-technical facility and equipment improvements through the School Building Authority. This measure would authorize the School Building Authority to require flood insurance for any facility within the 100 year flood plain at which authority funds are expended; authorizes the authority to encourage work-based learning opportunities for students on funded projects;, as well as the authority to accept any gift, grant, contribution, bequest or endowment of equipment for benefit of authority or its projects; requires the authority to reserve no more than 25 percent of funds available for priority use for multi-use vocational-technical educational facilities which may include post-secondary programs; requires a 10-year major improvement plan as prior condition for distribution of funds; prohibits the distribution of funds to a county not prepared to commence expenditure during a fiscal year; requires up-to-date enrollment projections in facilities plans and updates; authorizes inclusion of facilities for community and technical college education in plans to construct comprehensive vocational facilities at existing high schools; provides an exception from requirement for comprehensive vocational facilities in counties served by a multi-county center or existing county center; establishes a planning process if such county elects to construct a comprehensive center; and, includes introductory vocational-technical courses in middle school grades as part of effective schools for vocational-technical education.
House Bill 2511 would provide special license plates for members of the Nemesis Shrine, volunteers and employees of the American Red Cross, individuals who have received the Combat Infantry Badge or Combat Medic Badge, members of the Knights of Columbus and former members of the Legislature. The bill would provide that special registration plates may only be issued to nonprofit charitable and educational organizations currently authorized by law and would prohibit the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles from approving or authorizing additional nonprofit charitable and educational organizations to design or market special registration plates without prior authorization of the Legislature.
House Bill 2678 would change the ballot publishing dates before primary and general elections. The current law establishes a period eight to 14 days prior to an election. This measure would establish a new period of 20 to 26 days prior to an election. The measure also would: authorize certain (paper ballot)counties to count absentee ballots during an election period; alter absentee ballot signature requirements, allowing for facsimile signatures; provide for the changing of voting dates for early in person voting, by eliminating the Monday before the election (except in emergencies) and allowing for the two prior Saturdays before an election; provide for emergency early person voting the Monday prior to a Tuesday election, under special circumstances; provide for the processing of certain absentee ballots prior to closure of the polls for the purpose of determining legality; and, authorize certain changes in the early in person voting of absentee ballots.
House Bill 2729 would clarify that members of professional licensing board may be compensated only for days in which they attend official meetings or engage in official duties, and not for travel days.
House Bill 2748 would prevent mail order or internet sales of tobacco products to persons under 18 years of age. Essentially, the bill states that anyone who sells tobacco products through non-point of sales transactions would have to register with the state tax department, adopt a policy for verifying age of purchases, not deliver products except to verified addresses, and clearly mark the packages as tobacco products. The measure also would establish penalties, including a $500 fine for failure to adopt a policy and $1,000 to $2,000 for a first offense within five years, $2,500 to $3,500 for a second offense, $4,000 to $5,000 for a third offense, $5,500 to $6,500 for a third offense, and a $10,000 fine for a fifth offense. All offenses would be considered a misdemeanor and all fines collected would be deposited in the State’s General Trust Account. United State’s Postal service and package carriers are would be exempt as distributors.
House Bill 2794 would increase the service fee for worthless checks. The bill would provide any payee or holder of a check or draft order that is dishonored due to insufficient funds the ability to impose a fee of $25, increased from $15 stated in current law.
House Bill 2843 would enact the federally required provisions of the “Help America Vote Act of 2002.” This legislation would bring West Virginia’s election laws in line with recent federal changes.
House Bill 2870 would specify the jurisdiction of the Public Service Commission (PSC) over, and the application of public utility laws to, certain described electric generating facilities. The measure would require persons, corporations and other entities that intend to construct and operate electric generating facilities, or that intend to make or construct a material modification thereof, to obtain from the PSC a siting certificate, in lieu of a certificate of public convenience and necessity, for each facility or material modification thereof. The bill also would allow the PSC, under specified circumstances, to seek the imposition of civil or criminal penalties, or both such civil and criminal penalties for violations.
House Bill 2953 would create a mechanism to eliminate any actuarially projected unfunded liability in the Prepaid Tuition Trust Fund over a fixed period with funds from the Unclaimed Property Trust Fund in an amount not to exceed $2 million annually. It also would create the Prepaid Tuition Trust Escrow Account and provide for the transfer of funds in the Unclaimed Property Trust Fund to the Prepaid Tuition Trust Escrow Account and to the General Revenue Fund, as well as provide for the investment and use of this money.
House Bill 2970 would establish increased ratios for the maximum number of professional educators and of service personnel per 1,000 students in net enrollment that are funded by the state starting in 2004-05 school year. Separate ratios would be established for counties with high and low student population density per square mile. The bill would further provide for $2.5 million per year to be appropriation for the purpose of increasing the ratios beginning in the 2004 school year and concluding after 2015. Finally, the bill would direct the $2.5 million per year allocated and appropriated for the total state basic foundation program for the purpose of increasing these ratios.
House Bill 3011 would require the Fire Commission to promulgate emergency rules on or before June 1, 2003, to establish minimum training and equipment requirements for firefighters and fire departments that have chosen to do rescue work which does not involve fire prevention and control.
In the Senate
As of 4 p.m. Wednesday, February 19, 2003, the 43rd day of the 2003 Regular Legislative Session 636 bills have been introduced in the Senate. Of those, 11 bills were passed this week and will be sent to the House of Delegates for consideration. Among those passed were:
Senate Bill 340 would authorize county commissions to adopt different building restrictions in specified areas designated a flood plain, mud-slide area or flood hazard. This would clarify that county commissions may set different building restrictions in different levels of a flood plain to allow property owners to secure the lowest appropriate rate for federal flood insurance.
Senate Bill 395 would grant the Family Court Judge the power to order grandparent visitation as temporary relief during the time period in which a divorce is pending. The bill also clarifies that all issues with respect to grandparent visitation will be heard in Family Court.
Senate Bill 461 would update sections of the Corporation Net Income Tax Act, by bringing them into conformity with their meanings for federal income tax purposes.
Senate Bill 462 would update sections of the Personal Income Tax Act, by bringing them into conformity with their meanings for federal income tax purposes.
Senate Bill 56 would prohibit insurance companies, hospital service corporations, medical service corporations, health maintenance organizations (HMOs) and health care centers from requiring any person covered under an insurance contract to use a mail-order pharmacy in order to receive prescription drug benefits. The bill would also prohibit insurers from imposing an extra fee or a penalty upon the insured for using another pharmacy.
Senate Bill 400 would allow the Insurance Commissioner to disclose confidential information in certain cases in the course of his or her duty. The amendments would make these Code Sections consistent with provisions of the federal Gram-Leach-Blibley Act which are intended to encourage the exchange of information between state insurance regulators and federal banking agencies and to ensure that each party to the exchange will keep the information confidential and take reasonable steps to oppose efforts to secure disclosure of the information. This bill will add federal banking agencies to the list of entities with whom the insurance commissioner may provide certain confidential information.
Senate Bill 484 would amend the section that sets the scope of Article 20 (which deals generally with the regulation of insurance rates). The amendment would remove title insurance from the list of exemptions from the article. That is, the bill would make title insurance subject to rate filing and the Insurance Commissioner’s rate review process.
Senate Bill 485 would authorize the Insurance Commissioner to enter into certain agreements and compromises concerning the liability of any person with respect to any tax, interest, surcharge, additional tax, fee, or fine. Prior to commencing a civil action, the Commissioner could enter into a written closing agreement to settle a tax dispute. Absent fraud, malfeasance or misrepresentation of a material fact, the agreement would be final and binding. For presuit closing agreements, the Commissioner’s counsel must place an statement in the file as to the terms of the agreement and the reasons for the settlement. The Commissioner would be required to make a quarterly report to the Speaker of the House, the President of the Senate and to the Legislative Auditor which summarizes the amounts compromised, etc., and which would preserve the identity of the taxpayers.
Senate Bill 486 would require certified public accountants to notify the Insurer’s Board or Audit Committee of adverse financial condition. The bill would provide an additional safeguard against failure to properly disseminate information concerning the company’s financial condition. Under current law, an independent CPA performing an annual audited financial report is required to give written notification to the Insurance Commissioner and “an officer or director of the insurer” of a material misstatement of the financial position or shortfall of the minimum capital or surplus required by the Code.
Senate Bill 488 would establish a minimum surplus for farmers’ mutual fire insurance companies.
Senate Bill 206 would give teachers’ aides the authority to supervise students undergoing in school suspension if the instructional duties are limited to handing out and collecting class work and not actual instruction.
West Virginia Legislature Reflects Diverse Citizenry
They are doctors and farmers, educators and attorneys. They are miners and insurance agents, businesspeople and railroad workers.
At first, they may seem to have nothing in common. They may live in completely different areas of the state, or work in completely opposite industries. They aren’t neighbors; they aren’t classmates; they may be complete strangers.
But for 60 days, they are all alike in one respect: they are members of the 76th Legislature.
West Virginia has a part-time Legislature. Unlike other states where legislating is a full time profession, and Legislators are unable to have a job outside their work in government. While West Virginia Senators and Delegates work 365 days a year, they are only required to be working in the State Capitol for 60 consecutive days during the Regular Legislative Session and for any Special Sessions. The rest of the year, our Legislators have their own jobs and their own lives, many of which are far from Charleston.
America is a representative democracy, and sometimes, it is necessary to take a look at the people – not the politics – who work as its representatives.
As an area becomes more well-known for supporting a particular industry or lifestyle, the more likely it is that the representative from that area will have worked in a job that reflects the more specific interests of the people in that region.
For example, most of the farmers in the Legislature come from the agriculturally based eastern area of the state, while more miners from the southern coal fields. The northern panhandle, famous for its steel industry, has representatives who have actually worked in the steel mills.
Closer to Kanawha County, which is mostly comprised of businesses and the chemical industry, there are more lawyers, business professionals, engineers and technicians. Most of the medical professionals in the Legislature also come from the more metropolitan areas, where there are more people and more hospitals.
Educators are the only group that do not come from just one area of the state; however, as education is necessary and a major concern everywhere, this might not seem so unusual.
Of the 34 people in the Senate, a little more than one third work in some form of business. Six members are in the education field, while five Senators, or roughly 15 percent, are attorneys. The remaining 10 Senators work in a variety of fields, including insurance, healthcare, real estate development and mortuary science.
The top two professions for Delegates are business and law. Twentyseven percent of the members of the House of Delegates are in the business field, while 18 percent are attorneys. Educators are the next largest group, with 17 Delegates making up this profession. Seven people work in insurance, and another seven are in healthcare, which includes two doctors, two nurses, two pharmacists and one senior citizens’ daytime care organizer.
There are also five miners, a housewife, a Certified Public Accountant, two railroad workers, a school bus driver and a handful of farmers in the House, just to name a few.
All of the members of the Legislature have at least a high school diploma, but most have at least one college degree or have graduated from a vocational school. Several Senators and Delegates have two or three degrees from different universities. Most also received at least one degree from a West Virginia institution of higher education, although several have degrees from an outof-state college or university, and some have even graduated from Ivy League schools.
West Virginia Legislators mostly attended West Virginia University, Marshall University, Fairmont State College and Shepherd College. They attended one of these schools for a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, doctoral or law degree.
Based on percentage, about the same number of Senators and Delegates attended WVU – about 41 percent of the Senators and 43 percent of the Delegates attended WVU. However, while 24 percent of the Senators attended Marshall, only about 15 percent of the Delegates attended that same university.
Nearly every Legislator is married, and most have children. Several have grandchildren, and a few even have great-grandchildren.
All of these people represent the many different faces of West Virginia. Their backgrounds are as diverse as the areas they represent, and reflect the needs, issues and ideas of their communities. Legislators are the voices of the people, but they are also people themselves.