In lieu of the usual prayer in the House Chamber, House of Delegates members were treated to a performance by the Nicholas County bluegrass band, Laurel Creek. The band played two songs, “Heavens Jubilee” and “The Twelve”, the latter of which was dedicated to the twelve miners who lost their lives as a result of the Sago Mine tragedy in 2006.
The band were invited as guests of the delegates representing the 29th, 35th, 36th, 39th and 40th delegate districts.
Today the Legislature invited the WV Technology Association to the state Capitol to help celebrate Industry of the Future in West Virginia. Industries of the Future – West Virginia (IOF-WV) is a partnership which grew out of a collaboration between West Virginia University, the West Virginia Division of Energy and the U.S. Department of Energy. For more information on this organization, visit their website at www.iofwv.nrcce.wvu.edu.
During the fifth day of the session, three new bills were introduced in the Senate.
Senate Bill 219 deals with the county development fees. Another proposed bill, Senate Bill 218, relates to the nonpartisan election
of Supreme Court justices and circuit court judges. The other bill, Senate Bill 217, would reduce compliance time for nonresident traffic violations.
Committee meetings today:
Finance Subcommittee B – 3:00 p.m. – 451M
Education – 2:00 p.m. – 451M
The Senate will readjourn tomorrow Wednesday, January 15 at 11 a.m.
Two bills completed the committee process and were reported to the House floor yesterday. Today these bills were read a first time on the House Calendar and advanced to second reading. The House also introduced 4 more bills during today’s session. House Bill 4047 , would prohibit the use of cell phone and text-messaging devices while operating a motor vehicle except when using a hands-free device or in the case of an emergency. Another bill, , provides that all employees have the right to review and copy the contents of their personnel file. House Bill 4048.
The following committees will meet today:
Education – 1:00 p.m. – 432M
Government Organization – 1:00p.m. – 215E
Finance – 1:00 p.m. – 465M
The following committees will meet tomorrow:
Health and Human Resources – 4:00 p.m. – 439M
Political Subdivisions – 3:00 p.m. – 215E
Veterans Affairs – 1:00 p.m. – 215E
The House adjourned until 11:00 a.m. tomorrow, January 16.
Today over 100 citizens traveled from Mingo County to the state Capitol in Charleston as the Legislature celebrated “Mingo County Day”.
The group heard from a variety of elected officials representing the Legislative, Executive and Judicial branches, were given a tour of the statehouse and were able to watch a floor session take place.
Groups from other counties and many varying interest groups often come to the Capitol during session to better express in person their views on issues important to their causes.
The Senate met to introduce one bill – Senate Bill 216, introduced by request of the Governor, would eliminate the
coalbed methane tax exemption under the Severance and Business Privilege Tax Act.
The following Senate committees will meet today:
Natural Resources – 1:00 p.m – 451M
Government Organization – 1:45 p.m. – 451M
Finance – 2:30 p.m. – 451M
Finance Subcommittee A – 3 p.m.- 451M
The following Senate committees will meet tomorrow:
Economic Development – 9:00 a.m. – 451M
The Senate will adjourn at 11 a.m. tomorrow, Tuesday, January 15.
The House of Delegates introduced 9 more bills during today’s session. One of these bills, House Bill 4041 , deals with the regulation and treatment of the production of natural gas and coalbed methane. Another bill introduced was, House Bill 4042, a bipartisan effort that is known as the Joint Parenting Act. Each of the bills introduced were referred to the appropriate committees.
The following committees will meet today:
Finance – 1:00 p.m. – 465M
Judiciary – 2:00 p.m. – 210W
Education – 2:00 p.m. – 432M
The following committees will meet tomorrow, January 15:
Finance – 9:00 a.m. – 465M
Judiciary – 9:00 a.m. – 210W
Education – 1:00 p.m. – 432M
The House adjourned until 11:00 a.m. tomorrow, January 15.
The House of Delegates met briefly today and introduced 10 new bills, which were then referred to the appropriate committees. Included in those bills is the bipartisan House Bill 4037. This bill would reduce the state income tax liability for certain retired public employees.
The following House Committees will meet Monday, January 14, 2008:
Finance – 1:00 p.m. – 465M
Judiciary – 2:00 p.m. – 210W
Health and Human Resources – 4:00 p.m. – 439M
The House adjourned until 11:00 a.m Monday, January 14, 2008.
The Senate met this morning to introduce 10 bills and one joint resolution.
Bills introduced include Senate Bill 206, which would provide allocated Fire Protection Fund Revenue to Fire Chief’s and Foreman’s Associations for certain expenses, and Senate Bill 213, which would require Promise Scholarship repayments under certain circumstances. The joint resolution was Senate Joint Resolution 6, which proposes an amendment to the state constitution designated the Merit Selection of Justices and Judges Amendment.
The following Senate committees will meet Monday, January 14:
Government Organization – 2 p.m. – 208W
The Senate adjourned until 11 a.m. on Monday, January 14.
The House of Delegates briefly met today and introduced 13 new bills which were referred to their appropriate committee. Included in the bills introduced were several proposals the Governor highlighted in his State-of-the-State address. One of these bills, House Bill 4022,would establish the Indigent Defense Commission to assist Public Defender Services. The committees will begin studying their assigned issues in the coming days and weeks.
The following House Committees will meet today:
Finance – 1:00 p.m – Room 460M
The following House Committees will meet tomorrow, Friday, January 11, 2008:
Judiciary – 9:00 a.m – Room 410M
Government Organization – 9:30 a.m – Room 215E
The House adjourned until 11:00 a.m. tomorrow, January 11, 2008.
