Thursday, September 4, 2025
Thursday, September 4, 2025
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Interim Report: LOCRJCFA

The Legislative Oversight Committee on Regional Jails and Correctional Facilities Authority met this afternoon.

The committee heard from the Division of Correction and Rehabilitation regarding employee recruitment, retention, vacancy rates, and the status of the juvenile population.

At least eight prisons have a vacancy rate of 40 percent or more. The National Guard is still assisting. This has led to guard members seeking full-time work within the prisons. Maintenance continues to be an issue at various facilities. Recruitment is continuing and improving. The Division has been encouraging facilities to be proactive when interest is expressed by individuals who stop by requesting information. The Division is changing the application process to make it less intimidating.

The juvenile centers have about 325 individuals in the population. There are 76 kids in the aftercare program, which is like adult parole. This program allows kids to receive assistance finding housing, obtaining licenses, and job assistance. Juvenile centers must adhere to children’s nutrition requirements and food is prepared on the premises.

The committee heard a brief overview of House Bill 3552 (2023 RS). The bill amends per diem jail costs. This bill established a tiered system for local governments to pay per diem charges for the incarceration of individuals in regional jails. Per diem rates are set at $54.48, subject to changes as required by the State Budget Office. Under this tiered system, local governments will be allotted inmate days calculated by the total number of residents multiplied by .52. For each inmate incarcerated up to 80% of those allotted days, the local government will pay 80% of the per diem charge. For the incarceration of individuals between 80% and 100% of the allotted days, the local government will pay 100% of the established per diem rate. For the incarceration of individuals over 100% of the allotted days, the local government will pay 120% of the per diem rate. The bill also authorizes counties to seek reimbursement through a memorandum of understanding from certain municipalities for up to one day of incarceration of inmates arrested by the municipality on county charges. The intent of the bill is to reduce the fiscal burden on counties and the effective date is June 9th.

Interim Report: Joint Committee on Health

The Joint Committee on Health met today.

The Committee heard about Lauren’s Wish, which is a 28-bed substance use disorder program. The program opened in November of 2022 and is open 24/7. The program fulfills the gap between hospital ER and treatment facility. It’s a place for patients to go for the days before their treatment begins. The program works to reduce harm.

The Committee also heard an update from the Office of Medical Cannabis. Thus far 21,000 medical cannabis ID cards have been approved. There are 48 dispensaries are opened and have made $40 million in total sales. There are 131 registered physicians able to certify that a patient has one of the serious medical conditions that allow for medical cannabis. A physician does not prescribe medical cannabis. Some of the medical conditions are cancer, HIV, ALS, MS Parkinson, Epilepsies, sickle cell, PTSD, and chronic pain. Caregivers are assigned to minors and individuals who cannot get to the dispensaries for themselves. Background checks are completed on all caregivers. An interactive map is available for patients to locate dispensaries. Patients can only carry a 3-day supply on them. Edibles are not legal for sale in WV.

Interim Report: Transportation Accountability

Transportation Secretary Jimmy Wriston outlined an emphasis on highway and road worker safety during Monday’s meeting of the Joint Legislative Oversight Commission on Department of Transportation Accountability.

“Just to go out there and set standard, minimal requirements in these work zones is not good enough, Wriston said. “Our goal is zero fatalities in our work zones. This is the most important thing we will ever do and it’s absolutely my number one priority.”

Wriston described the establishment of a Work Zone Safety Committee to produce an action plan. He later described working with magistrates to assure the enforcement of steeper fines for speeding in work zones.

Wriston also emphasized that West Virginia Division of Highways (WVDOH) is committed to patching every pothole in the state by Memorial Day as part of an aggressive spring repair blitz. Maintenance crews in nearly two dozen counties across more than half of the WVDOH districts have already taken advantage of a few asphalt plants opening early to get a jump start on patching potholes.

Wriston informed the committee that maintenance crews can’t make permanent hot asphalt repairs during the winter, when temperatures are often under 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Temperatures have to be 40 degrees or above for hot asphalt to stick properly.

Pothole milling and filling is just one part of a multifaceted plan to keep West Virginia’s roads in the best condition possible according to Wriston. WVDOH has a dedicated core maintenance plan that includes keeping ditches clear to stop water from pooling beside roadways, cutting trees and branches that overhang roads to allow sunlight to dry wet roads, and proper pothole filling – milling out a nice square hole, removing all dirt and debris, putting down a sticky layer of tack to make asphalt stick better, and rolling out new, hot asphalt.

A proper patch on a pothole will last for years, meaning there will be fewer potholes to patch next year and the years thereafter.

“We’re going to have a great year paving,” Wriston said. “We’re going to do a lot of bridge work. We’re going to have another banner year in West Virginia with infrastructure.”

Interim Report: Joint Committee on Education

The Joint Committee on Education met Tuesday morning.

The Committee was provided an update on CTEs. There are 121 high schools, 22 CTECs, and 7 multi-centers offering CTE courses in the state. Pilot programs are in place for dual-credit nursing pathways.

The Committee also heard about Plasma Games which is a 3-D learning platform that integrates chemistry learning standards. The creator designed the game because the US ranks 25th in science in the world. China alone graduates 20 times more engineers per year than the US. Chemistry-related jobs are at the top of job growth lists. In manufacturing, 95 percent of jobs are chemistry related. The top five highest-paying college majors are chemistry-based, yet less than 44 percent of students major in chemistry. The platform motivates and engages students to learn chemistry. It’s school friendly and allows students as young as seven to learn high school chemistry. Other states have seen the effectiveness of the platform. North Carolina has integrated Plasma Games for three years and North Carolina is in its second year.

The Committee heard about Learning Blades, which is a company working to provide STEM exposure to students as early as middle school. The company recommends introducing coding in middle school. The company has created a backpack app, which allows students to download courses at school and use them without the internet at home. The app contextualizes real-world careers and tasks and what education is needed to achieve these careers.

Interim Report: Joint Standing Committee on Finance

State Revenue Secretary Dave Hardy gave the Joint Standing Committee on Finance an update regarding various state revenue matters Monday afternoon.

He told the committee that Moody’s bond rating agency has already responded favorably to the new law that cuts state income taxes by 21 percent and reforms the Public Employees Insurance Agency with premium increases.

“We were of course looking for this because we knew that if we did a tax reduction it would be noticed by our bondholders and our bond rating agencies,” Hardy said.

State Deputy Revenue Secretary Mark Muchow told committee members the reduction in the personal income tax, which was retroactive to Jan. 1, will cause the governor’s office to adjust the revenue collection estimates before the end of the fiscal year. He said it’s a delicate balance of the numbers because it’s likely some residents will take the extra take home money and purchase items.

Personal income tax rates could also see further reductions after Aug. 15, 2024 under the recently passed bill. The legislation includes a trigger formula for further reducing personal income tax rates by comparing general revenue collections in a previous fiscal year minus severance tax collections compared to the base year of fiscal year 2019 and tied to the non-seasonally adjusted consumer price index.

If the general revenue collections minus severance tax collections exceed the adjusted base year, a reduction would be triggered. Personal income tax rate reductions would be limited to no more than 10 percent during any fiscal year.

Muchow noted that nine months into the fiscal year total revenues have outpaced estimates by $1.26 billion. The Justice administration has predicted the revenue collection surplus could reach $1.7 billion by July 1.

Hardy told lawmakers the state’s financial standing is strong and likely to stay that way, noting that revenues are performing at “historic levels.” He said he and other state finance officials will continue to watch the personal income tax line and watch the effect of the tax cut.

Interim Report: LOCHHRA

The Legislative Oversight Commission on Health and Human Resources Accountability met Monday morning.

The Commission heard from the DHHR on the transition plan for dividing into three departments: health, human services, and health facilities (HB 2006, 2023 RS). As of now, town meetings have been conducted to address concerns DHHR employees have about the transition. Next week, DHHR leadership will be meeting with the Governor’s team on the DHHR split and will have more specific plans in place.

The Commission also received an update on the implementation of Senate Bill 419 (2022 RS). The bill provides a framework for quality-based substance use disorder residential treatment programs. A pilot program is to be put in place with the intent to provide wraparound services. The Bureau of Medical Service has created an advisory committee with over 20 members to determine the best approach for the pilot program. This committee met weekly between May and September 2022 and is scheduled to reconvene meetings this month.

The Commission also heard an update on the implementation of Senate Bill 247 (2022 RS). The bill integrates evidence-based trauma-informed recovery-oriented Community Behavior Health Clinics. Even though the bill passed in 2022, the work began in 2021 for these types of clinics.

Finally, the Commission heard an update on the West Virginia People’s Access to Help (PATH) program. The technology replaces FACTS, RAPIDS, and OSCAR and integrates all these systems into one. PATH is being implemented in phases and is expected to be fully implemented in the fall. The program allows consumers to access multiple forms of assistance under one system.

Interim Report: Joint Legislative Committee on Flooding

Bob Martin, director of the State Resiliency Office, briefed members of the Joint Legislative Committee on Flooding Sunday afternoon regarding his office’s plans to implement a recently passed flood resiliency law.

The law, Senate Bill 677, was passed by the Legislature during the 2023 regular session and signed into law by Governor Justice late last month.

The legislation requires the state resiliency officer to submit a new Flood Resiliency Plan by June 30, 2024, and then every two years after that going forward.  The bill also allows for 6 percent of Community Development Block Grant disaster recovery funds received by the state to go toward flood resiliency planning and implementation. The bill was authored by Flood Committee Chairman Chandler Swope ( R-Mercer, 06).

Swope said he believes flood mitigation needs to be looked at as infrastructure. Martin agreed, calling flood mitigation the state a “baseline for economic development.”

“We can control the water and utilize it to our good and bend it to our will, we’ll get there,” Martin said. “We’ll create schools that don’t flood regularly, and we’ll have children who want to come back and stay in the state because they didn’t live and grow up in a flooded area; business, industry and homes that don’t flood regularly.”

The bill creates the West Virginia Flood Resiliency Trust Fund within the State Resiliency and Flood Protection Act. The fund will be used to encourage local governments to work on flood protection and prevention projects. It would prioritize low-income geographic areas and prioritize nature-based solutions, using the local environment and features to protect against flood damage.

The qualifications to be the state resiliency officer are enhanced in the bill, requiring the officer to have prior experience with developing disaster resiliency plans, community economic development and regional planning. The legislation also allows the officer to hire additional staff as needed and to lead long-term recovery planning efforts in the event of a state of emergency or federal disaster declaration.

The bill also gives the state resiliency officer authority over the West Virginia Disaster Recovery Fund currently administered by the Division of Homeland Security. The fund can be used to provide money for disaster recovery for people, local governments, emergency services and local organizations. The legislation includes $10 million for the fund, which can be replenished each year.

Interim Report: LOCEA

The Legislative Oversight Committee on Education Accountability met Sunday afternoon.

The committee heard from the WV Tax Division first. The Division indicated that County Property Assessors are doing well and making progress in assessing properties at 60 percent of market value. The Division did state there were a couple of outliers with higher than usual percentages. McDowell Counties is an outlier because of the sales of the Hatfield and McCoy properties. Boone and Pleasant Counites have adjusted modifiers to move based on market value. Ohio, Richie, and Tyler Counties are outliers with higher values due to timing issues with oil and gas data. The 2 percent increase to the limit of the total property tax revenues will prevent a rollback.

The committee heard about three WV Board of Education Policies, which are currently up for public comment. Policy 2520.2B – WV College and Career Readiness Standards for Mathematics – is being amended to align high-quality content standards for mathematics to address requirements passed in House Bill 3055 (2023 RS). The revisions include aligning grade-level and course-specific standards to reflect a more coherent progression of developmentally appropriate mathematics learning as well as reorganizing standards and courses to articulate horizontal and vertical connections. The policy also establishes a set of knowledge and skills that individuals need to transition into employment, enlistment, and higher education.

Policy 5202 – Minimum Requirements for Licensure of Professional/Paraprofessional Personnel and Advanced Salary Classifications- is being repealed and replaced due to formatting, technical, and subject matter changes. The replacement will align with current legislation. The policy outlines the minimum requirements for education licenses. The policy is revised to allow for Temporary Teaching Certificates, which are renewable. The policy removes language relating to charter schools. The bill changes the language for Early Childhood Classroom Assistant Teachers (ECCATs) to include first through third grades in addition to Pre-K and Kindergarten. The policy also includes criteria for these grades for the ECCAT certificates. The policy amends out-of-state applicates and non-US citizen criteria. The policy adds eligibility and criteria for candidates who hold multi-subject K-8 endorsements to teach English, Science, Social Studies, and Math to teach seventh and eighth grades. The policy clarifies salaries on a CTE Permit or Certificate for the vocational salary class. The policy removes credential language and clarifies reimbursement and salary supplements.

Policy 5901 – Regulations for Alternative Certification Programs for the Education of Teachers – is being revised to align with changes proposed in Policy 5202 and the WV Licensure Testing Directory. The Policy also removes the bachelor’s GPA requirement.

The committee also heard brief reports from the WV Department of Education on extended learning programs and funding for establishing agricultural programs.

In Case You Missed It… Completed Legislation Part Five

During the first session of the 86th Legislature, 333 bills completed the legislative process. Of the 333 bills, 203 were House Bills and 130 were Senate Bills. Thus far, the Governor has signed 109 bills and 2 became law without signature. For a PDF list of completed legislation, please see Completed Legislation of the 2023 Regular Session.

Here are 65 Senate Bills, which completed the legislative process:

Senate Bill 455 removes the requirement that used motor vehicle dealers exclusively sell used motor vehicles. The bill also removes requirements related to minimum display areas for vehicles, minimum office space size and telephone requirements, and minimum opening hours.

Senate Bill 457 removes the prohibition of gambling on private club premises.

Senate Bill 458 sets the rate of interest on delinquent retirement contribution submissions as the actuarial interest rate assumption as approved by the Consolidated Public Retirement Board for completing the actuarial valuation for the plan year immediately preceding the first day of the plan year in which the delinquency payment is made, compounded daily, and the minimum interest charge is $50. The bill prohibits employer unilateral termination without legislative action.

Senate Bill 461 clarifies that actions taken by an employer related to declared states of preparedness or states of emergency and matters relating to protected classes under the West Virginia Human Rights Act may not be grieved. The bill exempts the Division of Personnel from being a party to grievances involving DOT employees. The bill provides other guidelines for the grievance procedure.

Senate Bill 463 allows commercial driver’s licenses to allow commercial instruction permits to be issued for a period of up to one year.

Senate Bill 465 increases the amount of money a county commission may have in its rainy day fund to 50% of the county’s most recent general fund budget.

Senate Bill 468 expands the types of vehicles which may be permitted on roads and trails in Cabwaylingo State Forest to include the use of utility-terrain vehicles. The bill permits the Director of the DNR to authorize the development and use of certain connector trails from existing private systems, specifically the Hatfield-McCoy system, to further provide access to state park and state forest recreational facilities.

Senate Bill 469 creates the Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Instruction Fund to be distributed to county boards to cover the cost of CPR instruction for high school students.

Senate Bill 475 modifies examinations for disability pensions. The bill states that beginning July 1, 2023, a physician shall be chosen by the oversight board to perform a medical exam of the individual in person or virtually. The section method of the exam is at the discretion of the oversight board in consultation with the physician.

Senate Bill 476 exempts the Bureau for Medical Services from all the requirements of the Purchasing Division with respect to managed care contracts except when soliciting a procurement for specialized populations such as foster care.

Senate Bill 478 clarifies to provisions of the West Virginia Jumpstart Savings Program.

Senate Bill 481 extends the sunset provision of the Upper Kanawha Resiliency and Revitalization Program to June 30, 2029.

Senate Bill 487 reduces the federal adjusted gross income for those taxpayers who retired under an employer-provided defined benefit pension plan that terminated prior to or after the taxpayer retired and that pension plan is covered by a guarantor whose maximum benefit guarantee is less than the maximum benefit the taxpayer would have received had the plan not terminated.

Senate Bill 488 requires the Higher Education Policy Commission, Community, and Technical College Council, and the institutional governing boards of West Virginia University, Marshall University, and the West Virginia Osteopathic School to update their accreditation rules to conform with the US Department of Education by December 31, 2023.

Senate Bill 490, the Patrol Officer Cassie Marie Johnson Memorial Act, creates knowingly and willfully obstructing a law enforcement officer, probation officer, parole officer, courthouse security officer, correctional officer, the State Fire Marshal, a deputy or assistant fire marshal, firefighter, or emergency medical service personnel engaged in their official duties and causing the death of the person acting in his or her official capacity. The bill establishes a penalty of 15 years to life imprisonment.

Senate Bill 495 deems audio video recordings at juvenile facilities and correctional institutions confidential. The bill does provide for exceptions for when records can be disclosed.

Senate Bill 508 increases the reporting threshold for grassroots lobbying campaigns from $500 to $5,000 in any three-month period and from $200 to $1,000 in a one-month period.

Senate Bill 510, a supplemental appropriation, appropriates $2.4 million to the Increased Enrollment Surplus within the State Department of Education.

Senate Bill 516 modifies the disclosure requirements for individual contributions to an independent expenditure from $250 to $1,000.

Senate Bill 522 allocates a portion of the excise taxes counties retain from transfers of title to real estate in the county to funding for election administration and physical and cyber security, and for infrastructure and cyber security for electronic recording of transfers of real property.

Senate Bill 523 modifies the requirements for spending from the Economic Development Fund to offer incentives for businesses to come to WV. The bill removes the $200 floor for financing “high-impact development projects” and establishes a cap of $300 million.

Senate Bill 526 requires that the Bureau of Public Health educate healthcare professionals on the importance of detecting, diagnosing, counseling, and other treatment for cognitive impairment Alzheimer’s, and dementia

Senate Bill 527 allows a living veteran’s spouse, child, grandchild, parent, or sibling to access military records with the county clerk. The bill further clarifies that such records are public after 62 years, consistent with the federal law in the National Archives.

Senate Bill 529 provides for recognition of Limited Liability Limited Partnerships.

Senate Bill 533 allows recycling cooperatives to own more than one vehicle to collect and transport recyclable material.

Senate Bill 534 allows for the sale of frozen beer in a sealed growler or from a frozen beverage machine to fill growlers. The bill allows for wineries, licensed brewers, and resident brewers to sell at private fairs and festivals. The bill also allows for a licensed distillery, mini-distillery, or micro-distillery manufacturing liquor to sell at private fairs and festivals. The bill modifies several definitions and fees.

Senate Bill 543 makes changes to the higher education rules process.

Senate Bill 544 increases the size of power purchase agreements from 500kW to 1000kW.

Senate Bill 546 adds certain opioids and other drugs to Schedule I drugs. The bill also adds delta-8, delta-10, delta 8-O, and Delta 9-O to the list of Scheduled I drugs. The “O” signifies synthetically made cannabinoids. The bill does state that naturally occurring tetrahydrocannabinol with THC levels low enough to qualify under the Hemp Act are not subject to the provisions of the bill.

Senate Bill 548 states lienholders can redeem a delinquent property through the payment of outstanding taxes and interest. The bill requires bidders to pre-register for a public auction held by the Auditor. Citizens and entities with a connection to a “Country of Particular Concern” cannot participate in the Auditor auctions. Those countries include Burma, China, Cuba, Eritrea, Iran, North Korea, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan.

Senate Bill 552 inserts a severability cause into the Unborn Child Protection Act.

Senate Bill 553 allows for a best-value procurement evaluation for prequalified bidders.

Senate Bill 558 prohibits law enforcement agencies from posting on social media the booking photographs of individuals arrested for “minor crimes” with exceptions.

Senate Bill 561 transfers the administration of the Drinking Water Treatment Revolving Fund from the Department of Health and Human Resources to the Department of Environmental Protection.

Senate Bill 568 clarifies the Dangerousness Assessment Advisory Board provides an objective professional recommendation to judges on appropriate levels of security for a person who has been found incompetent to stand trial or not guilty by reason of mental illness. The DHHR has no supervisory authority over the board, as the DHHR has an interest in the proceedings.

Senate Bill 573 updates the child support formula, adds criteria for attributed income, and addresses incarcerated parents.

Senate Bill 577 caps the cost of insulin at $35 for a 30-day supply and for devices at $100.

Senate Bill 579 directs payment of a claim against the Racing Commission in the amount of $16,219.58.

Senate Bill 591 allows counties and municipalities to develop economic projects together and to share proportionally in project costs and revenues generated from the project.

Senate Bill 594 clarifies cost-sharing calculations for high-deductible health plans.

Senate Bill 597 increases the number of non-classified service employees that the Commissioner of Workforce West Virginia is authorized to hire to 200 employees.

Senate Bill 605 requires the Chief Medical Examiner to authorize a person for a position within the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner to recover anatomical gifts by identifying potential donors, evaluating donor eligibility, and obtaining recovery authorization.

Senate Bill 608 corrects the definition section relating to deadly weapons.

Senate Bill 609 states that no existing electrical power plant in the state may be decommissioned or deconstructed without prior approval of the Public Energy Authority.

Senate Bill 613 exempts hospitals providing defined hospital services from certificate of need requirements. The bill removes birth centers from health services required to obtain a certificate of need.

Senate Bill 617 sets guidelines for submitting reports on cases involving instances of substantiated abuse and neglect involving a person with a developmental disability. The bill also establishes a mental health ombudsman. The bill requires a workforce study of the Intellectual and Development Disabilities Waiver Program.

Senate Bill 625 adds micro-school programs to the list of programs whose transcripts or other credentials must be accepted by a public school as a record of a student’s previous academic performance.

Senate Bill 631 to expend federal appropriations from Congress to the Secretary of State for purposes that further the administration of federal elections held in the state.

Senate Bill 633 provides specific guidance as to how courts are to enter a capias warrant against a defendant for failure to appear.

Senate Bill 647 limits the period “substantiated” child abuse claims can be disclosed to prospective employers. The bill directs that where an allegation of abuse and neglect is substantiated by DHHR, but no petition is filed the record must be sealed 12 months after the complaint is deemed unsubstantiated.

Senate Bill 649 authorizes the Berkeley County Council to change its name to the Berkeley County Commission.

Senate Bill 661 provides that an employee who is off work due to a compensable injury be given preferential recall right if the job is still available and the employee’s request to be reinstated is mailed to the employer.

Senate Bill 665 modifies the requirements for licensure as a massage therapist, expanding the qualifications standards and increasing the hours of supervised academic instruction from 500 hours to 625.

Senate Bill 667 permits the Legislative Auditor to conduct performance audits of the West Virginia Secondary Schools Activities Commission to examine the revenues, expenditures, and performance.

Senate Bill 674 recognizes the memorandum of understanding known as the West Virginia First Memorandum of Understanding filed in the Circuit Court of Kanawha County, which called for the creation of the WV First Foundation. The Foundation will be responsible for receiving and distributing opioid funds.

Senate Bill 677 clarifies the responsibilities of the State Resiliency Officer.

Senate Bill 678, a supplemental appropriation, allocates $1.2 million to the Division of Human Services for Social Services.

Senate Bill 679 authorizes the Office of Inspector General to create legislative rules relating to forensic group homes.

Senate Bill 688 allows county boards to hire a retired teacher to provide tutoring services to students who need additional one-on-one instruction in reading and math.

Senate Bill 730 expands the authority of the Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Resources Accountability to the successor agencies of the DHHR, as the department will be split into three departments.

Senate Bill 733 authorizes DNR to issue lifetime nonresident statewide licenses for hunting and trapping, fishing, and bear hunting and nonresident stamps for trout fishing, archery deer hunting, muzzleloading deer hunting, turkey hunting, and national forest hunting, fishing, and trapping.

Senate Bill 734 establishes the requirement for the Chief Information Officer to develop and implement an information technology modernization strategy for the procurement, adoption, and utilization of cloud computing services by the state and its agencies.

Senate Bill 735 corrects code errors to reflect proper departments responsible for specific programs.

Senate Bill 737 creates the Emergency Medical Services Salary Enhancement Fund to supplement the salaries of county EMS personnel.

Senate Bill 740 increases compensation and expense reimbursements for members of the Legislature.

In Case You Missed It… Completed Legislation Part Four

During the first session of the 86th Legislature, 333 bills completed the legislative process. Of the 333 bills, 203 were House Bills and 130 were Senate Bills. Thus far, the Governor has signed 109 bills and 2 became law without signature. For a PDF list of completed legislation, please see Completed Legislation of the 2023 Regular Session.

Here are 65 Senate Bills, which completed the legislative process:

Senate Bill 4 authorizes the Division of Natural Resources to establish an Adopt-A-Trail program allowing volunteer groups to assist the division in the maintenance and enhancement of trails on state-owned land. The program would be similar to the Adopt-A-Highway and Adopt-A-Stream programs.

Senate Bill 10 allows persons who are holders of concealed handgun permits to carry same on the campuses of the state institutions of higher education.

Senate Bill 47 creates the Charter Schools Stimulus Fund to be used to provide financial support to charter school applicants and charter schools that do not have resources for start-up costs.

Senate Bill 51 requires an impact statement on a school closing or consolidation before any final decision to close or consolidate a school.

Senate Bill 83 allows a tactical medical professional to carry firearms while on duty in the same manner and to the same extent as law enforcement. A tactical medical professional is an EMS personnel, nurse, physician, osteopathic physician, and physician assistant who is trained and certified in a nationally recognized tactical medical training program.

Senate Bill 89 requires all hospitals in the State to have healthcare providers trained and properly qualified by the Sexual Assault Forensic Examination Commission to conduct examinations on call during all hours of operation.

Senate Bill 99 allows county boards of education to meet to discuss the consolidation of school districts or the possibility of sharing administrative, coordinating, and other county-level services and functions between them.

Senate Bill 121 creates specific first amendment protections for high school, college, and university student journalists to determine news, opinions, features, or other content irrespective of whether the student is using school facilities or supported financially by the school.

Senate Bill 128 allows the Governor or Legislature to proclaim or declare a state of preparedness or emergency. The state of preparedness may last only 30 days and the state of emergency may last only 60 days unless the Legislature convenes and approves to extend them.

Senate Bill 131 allows municipal fire departments to award service weapons to municipal fire marshals and deputy fire marshals upon retirement after 20 years, or under if leaving on disability.

Senate Bill 132 clarifies that stalking and harassment are separate criminal offenses. A person convicted of stalking is guilty of a felony and is subject to 2 to 10 years imprisonment.

Senate Bill 136 requires individuals convicted of sexual offenses to undergo psychological or psychiatric testing and have a treatment plan in place to be eligible for parole. The bill also expands the list of offenses that would prohibit a defendant from residing with minor children or having contact with victims.

Senate Bill 142 eliminates the publication requirement for estate closing settlements and instead requires the Fiduciary Supervisor to mail a copy of the document to each beneficiary with a notice that a beneficiary has 10 days in which to contest the closing.

Senate Bill 143 requires any participant 17 years of age or younger must be accompanied by an adult for the Adopt-A-Stream Program. The bill grants the DEP discretion to accept or reject requests to adopt streams and rivers.

Senate Bill 146 amends code to align the Peer-to-Peer (PTP) Car Sharing Program, which is a program or business platform which connects vehicle owners to individuals who want to rent vehicles, with the rental car industry.

Senate Bill 149 exempts properties used for divine worship and the operation of a pre-K school, primary school, middle school, secondary school, daycare center, or church camp for children, which school, daycare center, or church camp is operated by the church which owns the property or is operated by another not-for-profit organization or entity from taxation.

Senate Bill 151 authorizes a “pass-through entity” to elect to be subject to the WV Personal Income Tax. A “pass-through entity” is defined as a partnership or other business entity that is not subject to the WV Corporate Net Income Tax. The bill creates a new tax credit against WV PIT for taxpayers who own an electing pass-through entity.

Senate Bill 161 authorizes the director of DNR to sell, lease, or otherwise dispose of property under his or her jurisdiction and control. The bill also authorizes the director to accept money, security, or real and personal property including lands and waters which are suitable for the purposes of the division.

Senate Bill 162 authorizes the DNR Director to lease and develop pore spaces underlying state forests, natural and scenic areas, wildlife management areas, and other lands under DNR control for carbon sequestration.

Senate Bill 187 makes it a felony offense for any public or private school employee to engage in sexual intercourse, sexual intrusion, or sexual contact with any student regardless of the student’s age. The bill states that consent for the act or occurrence off school property or at a time other than during a school function is not a defense. The penalty for anyone convicted of this offense is not less than 1 nor more than 5 years in prison, and/or a fine of up to $5,000, and includes the permanent forfeiture of any teaching or other certificate.

Senate Bill 188 creates the “Grid Stabilization and Security Act” and directs the Department of Economic Development to identify economically viable sites for the development of natural gas electric generation projects that are located near convenient and sufficient supplies of natural gas and are likely to create projects that provide economic benefits to local and state government and citizens of the state.

Senate Bill 191 states that persons whose cases are being dealt with through both “pretrial diversions” and “deferred adjudications” are liable for any applicable court costs, and payment thereof shall be a condition of the deferred adjudication agreement once they are placed into community corrections.

Senate Bill 200 allows leashed dogs to track wounded deer, elk, turkey, bear, and wild boar when hunting.

Senate Bill 205 authorizes special registration plates and establishes fees for the plates. The bill authorizes the suspension of registration of any owner who displays a damaged or illegible plate or otherwise fails to comply with a legal requirement. The bill also allows for voiding the plates if there is an issue with renewal.

Senate Bill 207 eliminates the maximum allowable state allocation from the West Virginia Department of Economic Development to eligible regional councils for purposes of obtaining federal matching grants.

Senate Bill 208 requires all current law-enforcement officers to receive training for appropriate interactions with and in response to persons with autism, Alzheimer’s, and related dementias every three years.

Senate Bill 220 adds regulations to Hemp-derived cannabinoids and Kratom. The bill limits the sale to people 21 years of age or older, authorizes the ABCA Commission to enforce regulations, imposes an excise tax of 11% on the products, and creates new criminal offenses for individuals under 21.

Senate Bill 231 transfers the administration of the West Virginia Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Matching Funds Program from the Department of Commerce to the Department of Economic Development.

Senate Bill 232 creates a multi-disciplinary study group to make recommendations to the Legislature about dealing with persons with disabilities in the criminal justice system.

Senate Bill 237 provides a one-time supplemental payment of $1,500 to retired individuals of PERS and TRS who are 70 years or older, have at least 20 years of service, and have a monthly annuity payment of less than $1,000. The bill also increases the minimum annuity payment for retired individuals of PERS or TRS who are 70 or older, have 25 or more years of service, and have a monthly annuity payment of less than $1,000.

Senate Bill 239 requires the Commissioner for the Bureau for Behavioral Health to conduct a study among behavioral health providers, substance abuse disorder providers, municipal leaders, and county government leaders to obtain a breakdown of various demographics within the homeless community throughout the State of West Virginia.

Senate Bill 240 modifies the requirements of Chapter 30 board applicant registries available to the public. The bill mandates that boards maintain a website with the names of board members and staff, contact information for them, copies of minutes of board meetings, and notice of upcoming meetings.

Senate Bill 241 makes the investigation and enforcement of the Patient Brokering Act the responsibility of the Office of Health Facility Licensure and Certification (OHFLAC) It requires OHFLAC to develop a tool to facilitate public complaints about the Patient Brokering Act.

Senate Bill 244 requires any state entity that licenses, certifies, or otherwise authorizes an individual to practice a profession, trade, or occupation to make a roster of those authorized individuals available to the public and electronically if the entity has a website.

Senate Bill 246 revises the membership of the Broadband Enhancement Council to reflect the loss of a congressional district, decreasing the membership from 13 to 11.

Senate Bill 247 makes appeals of final board action subject to the Administrative Procedures Act with appeals to be fined to the Intermediate Court of Appeals.

Senate Bill 258 removes the $10,000 limit on the maximum fair market value for single-item rent-to-own.

Senate Bill 267 requires PEIA and Medicated to provide electronic portals for the submission of prior authorization forms.

Senate Bill 268 requires all PEIA board members to complete fiduciary training, as members will have a fiduciary responsibility to protect plan assets for participants. It requires the finance board to hold at least two public hearings on proposed financial plans. The finance board may only use revenue estimates from the governor as needed to maintain an actuarially recommended reserve fund and to maintain premium cost-sharing. The director may not incorporate other revenue sources into the plan.

The bill requires plans to reimburse WV hospitals at a minimum rate of 110 percent of Medicare. Plans for employees and retired employees shall be at a cost-sharing rate of 80 percent for the employer and 20 percent for the employees. PEIA will maintain the 80-20 cost-sharing for instate and out-of-state in contiguous counties and then drops to 70-30 coverage for other out-of-state providers.

All plans shall include coverage for diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment for autism spectrum disorder for ages 18 months to 18 years. Coverage through PEIA includes children’s immunizations from birth to 16 for diphtheria, polio, mumps, measles, rubella, tetanus, hepatitis-b, hemophilia influenza-b, and whooping cough. Coverage includes a 12-month refill for contraceptives and group life and accidental death insurance for $10,000 for each employee.

The bill makes a change to spousal coverage through PEIA. If an employee’s spouse has health insurance available through their employer, then they are will not be covered under PEIA unless the employee adds the spouse to the plan by paying an additional $147 a month.

Senate Bill 270 provides an exemption from the requirement to secure a permit to have a body cremated for representatives of institutions who are arranging the cremation of the body of an individual who has donated his or her body to science.

Senate Bill 271 allows nominees for the First Responders Honor Board to be considered by the Legislature at times other than its next regular session.

Senate Bill 273 reallocates existing child protective service workers throughout the state based on the population in the 2020 Census.

Senate Bill 275 adds State Fire Marshals to the list of persons who receive school safety information.

Senate Bill 276 allows the State Fire Marshal to award the service weapon of a retiring State Fire Marshal, any full-time deputy fire marshal, or any full-time assistant fire marshal employed by the State Fire Marshal to the retiree without charge when the retiring member honorably retires with at least 10 years of service or with less than 10 years of service based upon the determination that the retiring employee is totally physically disabled as a result of service with the State Fire Marshal.

Senate Bill 294 clarifies that deputy sheriffs receive an annual monetary payment in the amount of $5 per month of service (increasing at a rate of $60 per year) – with the payments and calculations starting after their first year of service.

Senate Bill 298 allows local emergency services entities to enter into mutual aid agreements with fire and emergency medical services located in border counties of contiguous states for day-to-day cooperation.

Senate Bill 300 modifies the definition of “law-enforcement officer” to clarify that a county litter officer who has not received training and been certified as a law-enforcement officer is not considered a “law-enforcement officer”.

Senate Bill 302 requires West Virginia law enforcement agencies to index felony warrants with the National Crime Information Center of the FBI.

Senate Bill 335 authorizes agencies within the Department of Homeland Security to create legislative rules relating to law enforcement response to domestic violence, the National Flood Insurance Program, hazardous substance emergency response training program, certification of home inspectors, volunteer firefighters’ training equipment, and operating standards, certification of electrical inspectors, supervision of fire protection work, electrician licensing, WV State police standards, and modified vehicle inspections.

Senate Bill 345 authorizes agencies within the Department of Revenue to create legislative rules relating to money transmission services, suitability in annuity transactions, pharmacy auditing entities and pharmacy benefits managers, bail bondsmen in criminal cases, WV Lottery sports wagering, valuation of producing and reserve oil, natural gas liquid and natural gas for property tax purposes, WV Film Industry Investment Act, Farm to Food Bank tax credit, property transfer tax, municipal sales and use tax administration and personnel rule.

Senate Bill 356 authorizes agencies within the DOR to create legislative rules relating to administrative due process; examination and issuance of driver’s licenses; denial, suspension, revocation, disqualification, restriction, nonrenewal, cancellation, administrative appeals, and reinstatement of driving privileges; disposal, lease, and management of real property and appurtenant structures and relocations assistance; and organization and meetings repeal of the State Rail Authority.

Senate Bill 361 authorizes various boards and agencies to create legislative rule including the Board of Accountancy on board rules of professional conduct; Board of Acupuncture on advertising by licensed acupuncturists, standards of practice, and continuing education requirements; the Department of Agriculture on apiary rule, fruit inspection schedule, noxious weeds, Grade “A” pasteurized milk, inspection of nontraditional, domesticated animals, hemp products, livestock care standards, farm-to-food bank tax credit, and famers markets; the Athletic Commission on administrative rules and regulation of mixed martial arts; the State Auditor on standards for voluntary payroll deductions; the Conservation Agency on operation of West Virginia State Conservation Committee and conservation district and conservation district accounting and auditing standards; the Board of Dentistry on dental recovery networks; the Board of Funeral Service Examiners on funeral director, embalmer, apprentice, courtesy card holders, and funeral establishment requirements, crematory requirements, and fee schedule; the Board of Landscape Architects on registration of landscape architects; the Board of Medicine on licensing of physicians and podiatric physicians and disciplinary procedures for applicants, licensees, and credential holders, licensure, practice requirements, disciplinary and complaint procedures, continuing education, physician assistants, collaborative pharmacy practice, and prohibiting sexual misconduct by health care practitioners; the Board of Optometry on optometric telehealth practice; the Board of Osteopathic Medicine on osteopathic physician assistants; the Board of Pharmacy on licensure and practice of pharmacy, the Uniform Controlled Substance Act, rules for registration of pharmacy technicians, regulations governing pharmacy permit, inspections, and the Donated Drug Repository Program; and Board of RPNs on requirements for registration and licensure and conduct constituting professional misconduct, advanced practice registered nurse licensure requirements, limited prescriptive authority for nurses in advanced practice, continuing education and competence, fees for services rendered by the board, practitioner requirements for accessing the West Virginia Controlled Substance Monitoring Program database, and telehealth.

Senate Bill 409 authorizes agencies within the Department of Commerce to create legislative rules relating to the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Matching Funds Program, West Virginia Board of Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety, supervision of plumbing work, regulation of heating, ventilating, and cooling work, registration of service persons and service agencies, registration of weighing and measuring devices, commercial whitewater outfitters, special motorboating regulations, and permits and licenses.

Senate Bill 422 requires each public-school county-adopted class curriculum to be posted on the school’s website at the beginning of each school year and the revised curriculum to be posted within 30 business days.

Senate Bill 423 increases the annual salaries of members of the West Virginia State Police, public school teachers, and public-school service personnel beginning July 1, 2023.

Senate Bill 430 clarifies that the Department of Revenue’s exemption from procedural oversight by the Treasurer’s Office does not equate to an exemption from the State Treasurer’s contract authority.

Senate Bill 439 creates a “Design-Build Pilot Program” to be administered by the Department of Environmental Protection. The program will allow DEP to expedite infrastructure projects by combining the design and construction elements of a proposed project into a single contract.

Senate Bill 443 directs payment of funds from fees charged at the time of qualification of a fiduciary to the State Auditor.

Senate Bill 444 ends the WV Future Fund and transfers the money to the General Revenue Fund.

Senate Bill 446 removes methanol and methanol fuel from the definition of special fuel for purposes of the motor fuel excise tax.

Senate Bill 449 updates the government employee retirement systems to include Natural Resources Police Officers and public charter school employees.

Senate Bill 450 requires medical examinations to be performed either in person or virtually by a physician approved by the board when approving disability awards and benefits for members of the West Virginia Public Employees Retirement System, the Deputy Sheriffs’ Retirement System, the Municipal Police and Firefighters Retirement System, the State Police Retirement System, the Emergency Medical Services Retirement System, the Teachers Retirement System, and the Natural Resources Police Officers Retirement System.

Senate Bill 451 updates the definitions to reflect that public charter schools may elect to participate in the teachers’ retirement systems

Senate Bill 452 adds 911 personnel and county firefighter to those who can contribute and receive benefits from the EMS Retirement System.

Senate Bill 453 provides for successor liability and delinquent retirement contributions for public charter schools.