Today’s House floor session was lengthy with major bills up for passage. The calendar was reordered to consider Senate Bill 268, House Bill 2024, Senate Bill 423, and the Senate Message for House Bill 2526 first.

Senate Bill 268 updates PEIA. The bill 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 was amended to include the $35 insulin cost cap as passed yesterday.

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.

The bill requires an Actuarial Study of the financial solvency of PEIA to start by July 1, 2023, and be presented to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance by July 1, 2024.

House Bill 2024 is the Budget Bill. Below is a general breakdown of the budget, which passed the House today. Review the bill in its entirety here. Only one of the amendments offered was adopted. 

• General Revenue Fund: $4,641,892,371
  • Legislative: $26,096,694
  • Judicial: $149,079,448
  • Executive-Governor’s Office: $11,988,272
  • Executive-Auditor’s Office: $2,487,115
  • Executive-Treasurer’s Office: $3,514,380
  • Executive-Department of Agriculture: $25,377,648
  • Executive-Attorney General: $5,203,194
  • Executive-Secretary of State: $943,230
  • Executive-State Election Commission: $7,508
  • Department of Administration: $86,877,676
  • Department of Commerce: $67,703,442
  • Department of Tourism: $7,000,000
  • Department of Economic Development: $12,147,273
  • Department of Education: $2,057,054,456
  • Department of Arts, Culture, and History: $11,357,680
  • Department of Environmental Protection: $6,781,786
  • Department of Health and Human Resources: $1,149,922,442
  • Department of Homeland Security: $490,453,125
  • Department of Revenue: $32,811,468
  • Department of Transportation: $5,249,128
  • Department of Veterans’ Assistance: $12,453,534
  • Bureau of Senior Services: $10,839,825
  • West Virginia Council for CTCE: $16,114,928
  • Mountwest: $6,716,176
  • New River: $6,088,539
  • Pierpont: $8119,152
  • Blue Ridge: $8,139,835
  • WVU-Parkersburg: $10,799,686
  • Southern WV: $8,557,086
  • WV Northern: $7,580,697
  • Eastern WV: $2,264,340
  • BridgeValley: $8,364,587
  • Higher Education Policy Commission: $80,819,475
  • WVU Med School: $21,488,856
  • WVU: $113,398,048
  • Marshall Med School: $8,691,589
  • Marshall University: $51,547,701
  • WV School of Osteopathic Medicine: $5,972,974
  • Bluefield State: $6,648,770
  • Concord University: 10,836,709
  • Fairmont State: $19,273,190
  • Glenville State University: $6,768,535
  • Shepherd University: $13,026,830
  • West Liberty: $9,552,600
  • WV State: $16,530,290
  • Adjutant General: $18,957,017
• State Road Fund Total: $1,669,496,660
• Special Revenue Fund: $3,980,500
• Lottery Fund: $143,669,012
• Excess Lottery Fund: $334,670,790
• Federal Funding: $9,415,135,878
• Block Grants: $82,535,141

Senate Bill 423 increases annual salaries for teachers and state police officers, administrative support staff, and forensic staff, as well as the monthly salaries of school service personnel.

The following is the breakdown for teachers:

The following is the breakdown for school services personnel:

The following is the breakdown for state police officers:

The following is the breakdown for state police administrative support staff:

The following is the breakdown for state police forensic lab staff:

Additionally, the House concurred with the Senate to complete legislative action on House Bill 2526. After Senate action, House Bill 2526 reduces the personal income tax retroactively to January 1, 2023, as the following:

• Head of Household or Joint Filing
  • Not over $10,000: 2.36% of the taxable income
  • Over $10,000 but not over $25,000: $236 plus 3.15% of the excess over $10,000
  • Over $25,000 but not over $40,000: $708.50 plus 3.54% of the excess over $25,000
  • Over $40,000 but not over $60,000: $1,239.50 plus 4.72% of the excess over $40,000
  • Over $60,000: $2,183.50 plus 5.12% of the excess over $60,000
• Married, but Separate Filing
  • Not over $5,000: 2.36% of the taxable income
  • Over $5,000 but not over $12,500: $118 plus 3.15% of the excess over $5,000
  • Over $12,500 but not over $20,000: $354.25 plus 3.54% of the excess over $12,500
  • Over $20,000 but not over $30,000: $619.75 plus 4.72% of the excess over $20,000
  • Over $30,000: $1,091.75 plus 5.12% of the excess over $30,000

The bill has a provision that would trigger future personal income tax reductions if the total general revenue collection of the preceding fiscal year minus severance tax collection is in excess of the inflation-adjusted base year revenues (FY2019).

The Senate also amended the bill the West Virginia Property Tax Adjustment Act, which creates a 100% refundable tax credit for ad valorem personal property taxes paid for a motor vehicle. This credit may be claimed against personal income tax and corporation net tax. Disabled veterans may also receive a refundable tax credit against their personal income taxes for real property taxes on a homestead used for residential purposes.  

The Senate amendment to House Bill 2526 also added a small business credit to allow a 50% refundable tax credit against personal income tax or corporate net income tax for ad valorem property tax due and owing and timely paid. A small business is defined as a business with personal property located in West Virginia with an aggregate appraised value of $1,000,000 or less. An exclusion stated that a small business does not include a person holding an interest in any oil, natural gas, or natural gas liquid.

Committee Meetings, Monday, March 6

• The Education Committee will meet at 9 a.m. in Room 432.
• The Judiciary Committee will meet at 9 a.m. in Room 410.
• The Committee on Government Organization will meet at 1 p.m. in Room 215E.
• The Finance Committee will meet at 3 p.m. in Room 460.

The House is adjourned until Monday, March 6 at 11 a.m.

• The Committee on Government Organization will meet at 2 p.m. in Room 215E.
• The Education will meet at 2:30 p.m. in Room 432.
• The Finance Committee will meet at 3 p.m. in Room 460.
• The Judiciary Committee will meet at 3 p.m. in Room 410.

• The Rules Committee will meet at 8:45 a.m. behind the House Chamber.

During the House Rules this morning, the committee advanced House Concurrent Resolutions 12, 33, 36, 51, 54, 55, 56, 58, and 61, along with Senate Concurrent Resolutions 3 and 6 to the House floor. The Committee also moved (on second reading) Senate Bills 188 and 594 and (on first reading) Senate Bills 51, 131, 160, 205, 246, 439, 462, and 591 to the Special Calendar.

Today, the House passed the 16 bills on third reading, completing legislative action on seven of them. The House also concurred with Senate amendments to complete three House Bills.

House Bill 2993 licenses rural emergency hospitals.

House Bill 3307 establishes the West Virginia – Ireland Trade Commission. The Commission is tasked with advancing bilateral trade and investment between WV and Ireland; initiating joint action on policy issues of mutual interest; promoting business and academic exchange between the two; and encouraging mutual economic support and investment in infrastructure. The bill takes effect on March 17, 2023.

House Bill 3428 makes the West Virginia Business Ready Sites Program permanent.

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 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 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.

The House is in recess until 5 p.m.

Committee Meetings, Today

• The Committee on Technology and Infrastructure will meet at 2:30 p.m. in Room 432.
• The Committee on Energy and Manufacturing will meet at 2:15 p.m. in Room 410.
• The Finance Committee will meet at 2 p.m. in Room 460.
• The Committee on Economic Development will meet at 2 p.m. in Room 215E.
• The Subcommittee on SB 146 will meet immediately after Energy in Room 410.
• The Rules Committee will meet at 4:45 p.m. behind the House Chamber.

Committee Meetings, tomorrow, March 3

• The Judiciary Committee will meet at 9 a.m. in Room 410.
• The Education Committee will meet at 9 a.m. in Room 432.
• The Health and Human Resources Committee will meet at 9:30 a.m. in Room 215E.
• The Rules Committee will meet at 10:45 a.m. behind the Chamber.

   

• The Committee on Government Organization will meet at 1 p.m. in Room 215E.

   

• The Finance Committee will meet at 3 p.m. in Room 460.

The House returned to session at 6 p.m. to receive committee reports and Senate messages.

The House is adjourned until tomorrow, March 3 at 11 a.m.

It’s Crossover Day for the WV Legislature! Day 50 of a legislative session is the last day for a bill to be read a third time for consideration in its house of origin, with a few exceptions. 

In the House, 27 bills on third reading were passed to the Senate and one bill was rejected.

House Bill 2862 ensures that all shareholder votes by or on behalf of the West Virginia Investment Management Board and the Board of Treasury Investments are cast according to the pecuniary interests of investment beneficiaries.

The bill drummed up a lot of debate this morning. Opponents of the bill stated that the Investment Management Board does not support this legislation. They believed passage could tie the IMB’s hands and create red tape for them to invest employees’ money. They stated that the bill brought politics into the management of money.

The supporters stated that politics are pushed upon them regardless. They believed not passing would allow the politics of Environmental, Social, and Governance to take place instead of the pecuniary interest of investment.  

The bill advanced to the Senate.

House Bill 3018 sets the age to consent to marriage as 18. Currently, West Virginia does not have a minimum age for marriage. The bill does not nullify any current marriage nor does it affect marriages from other states.

The opponent of the bill stated that there are circumstances, such as pregnancy, that two individuals under the age of 18 would want to marry and a circuit judge should be able to make the decision to allow the two to marry. It was stated that people will go out of state to marry if they are under 18.

Proponents stated, during committees, that the bill is to protect children from being forced into marriages with an adult. It also prevents children from marrying other children when they are not ready for those decisions.

The bill advanced to the Senate.

House Bill 3135 increases the Governor and State Constitutional Officers’ salaries starting in 2025. The bill increases the salaries by 20 percent: the Governor’s salary would be set at $180,000 and constitutional officer salaries would be set to $115,000.

The bill advanced to the Senate.

House Bill 3332 creates the judicial circuits and allocates the number of circuit court judges in each circuit to be elected in the 2024 election. The bill divides the districts and number of circuit judges as follows:

• Brooke, Hancock, and Ohio (1st Circuit) with 4 judges
• Marshall, Tyler, and Wetzel (2nd Circuit) with 2 judges
• Doddridge, Pleasants, Ritchie, and Wirt (3rd Circuit) with 2 judges
• Wood (4th Circuit) with 3 judges
• Calhoun, Jackson, Mason, and Roane (5th Circuit) with 3 judges
• Cabell (6th Circuit) with 4 judges
• Putnam (7th Circuit) with 2 judges
• Kanawha (8th Circuit) with 8 judges
• Boone and Lincoln (9th Circuit) with 2 judges
• Wayne (10th Circuit) with 2 judges
• Logan and Mingo (11th Circuit) with 3 judges
• McDowell and Wyoming (12th Circuit) with 2 judges
• Mercer (13th Circuit) with 3 judges
• Raleigh (14th Circuit) with 4 judges
• Fayette (15th Circuit) with 2 judges
• Nicholas (16th Circuit) with 2 judges
• Braxton, Clay, Gilmer, and Webster (17th Circuit) with 2 judges
• Lewis and Upshur (18th Circuit) with 2 judges
• Harrison (19th Circuit) with 3 judges
• Marion (20th Circuit) with 2 judges
• Monongalia (21st Circuit) with 3 judges
• Preston and Tucker (22nd Circuit) with 2 judges
• Barbour and Taylor (23rd Circuit) with 2 judges
• Randolph (24th Circuit) with 2 judges
• Grant and Mineral (25th Circuit) with 2 judges
• Hampshire, Hardy, and Pendleton (26th Circuit) with 2 judges
• Berkeley, Morgan, and Jefferson (27th Circuit) with 6 judges
• Greenbrier, Monroe, Pocahontas, and Summer (28th Circuit) with 3 judges

The bill advanced to the Senate.

House Bill 3561 was rejected by the House. The bill would have created the Institute for Civic Life.

The House is adjourned until tomorrow, March 2 at 11 a.m.

Committee Meetings, Today

• The Committee on Government Organization will meet at 4:20 p.m. in Room 215E.

• The Finance Committee will meet at 4:30 p.m. in Room 460.

• The Judiciary Committee will meet at 5:15 p.m. in Room 410.

Committee Meetings, tomorrow, March 2

• The Judiciary Committee will meet at 9 a.m. in Room 410.

• The Rules Committee will meet at 10:45 a.m. behind the House Chamber.

• The Committee on Technology and Infrastructure will meet at 1 p.m. in Room 432.

• The Committee on Energy and Manufacturing will meet at 1 p.m. in Room 410.

• The Committee on Economic Development and Tourism will meet at 2 p.m. in Room 460.

Today, the House had thirty-three bills on third reading. One had action delayed, thirty-one advanced to the Senate, and one failed to pass.

House Bill 2953 would have created the Commission on Cost-of-Living Adjustments. The Commission’s role would be to study the differentials in the cost of living between different counties. Then, the commission would compile, analyze, and weigh data from available sources to determine the five counties with the highest costs of living; estimate the number of applicable state employees whose primary workstation is within these counties and which agency they work; determine a recommended flat dollar amount to provide each applicable state employee, which could be appropriated by the legislation in the coming fiscal year as a cost-of-living adjustment; and report all determinations and recommendations with supporting data to the Legislature by December 1, 2024.

The bill failed to pass the House. Opponents stated that the bill would only benefit the wealthier counties in the state, while areas such as the southern coal fields would continue to struggle. They expressed concerns that increasing the salaries in only a few counties was keeping the poor, poor, and the wealthy, wealthy.

Proponents of the bill stated that the bill would help determine the areas that needed additional pay for state employees; that it would start a conversation. Then, if money was appropriated, it could be used to keep those employees in the state. A frequent example was the eastern panhandle, as many who live in this area, work in VA, MD, and PA due to better salaries.

House Bill 2814 advanced to the Senate. The bill creates the Hydrogen power Task Force Act. The task force would study hydrogen-fueled energy in WV’s economy and energy infrastructure. The study would review regulations and current legislation; federal incentives; potential sources of hydrogen; and make recommendations.

The Commission will be comprised of seven members: representatives from the electric utility, fossil fuel energy, manufacturing, and environmental industries; the chair of the PSC; the Secretary of the DEP; and the Secretary of the Department of Economic Development. The Commission shall submit a report by July 1, 2024, and sunset once the report is submitted.

House Resolution 17 and House Concurrent Resolution 31 were adopted.

The House is in recess until 7:30 p.m.

Committee Meetings, Today

• The Committee on Economic Development will meet at 4 p.m. in Room 460.
• The Committee on Health and Human Resources will meet at 4 p.m. in Room 215E.
• The Committee on Technology and Infrastructure will meet at 4:30 p.m. in Room 432.
• The Finance Committee will meet at 5 p.m. in Room 460.

***Committee Meetings are delayed due to caucuses.*** 

The House returned at 7:30 p.m.

The Rules Committee met this evening and moved to the Special Calendar (on third) House Bills 2955, 3046, and 3092 and (on second) House Bills 2018, 3408, and 3480.

The House amended several bills on second reading and read the bills on first reading.

The House is adjourned until tomorrow, March 1 at 11 a.m.

Committee Meetings, tomorrow, March 1

• The Rules Committee will meet at 9:15 a.m. behind the House Chamber.
• The Judiciary Committee will meet at 1 p.m. in Room 410.
• The Finance Committee will meet at 2 p.m. in Room 460.
• The Committee on Government Organization will meet at 3 p.m. in Room 215E.