Wednesday, June 4, 2025
Wednesday, June 4, 2025
Home Blog Page 47

House Judiciary Wraps Up Afternoon Meeting

Cheyenne DeBolt
-
0
House Judiciary Wraps Up Afternoon Meeting

The Judiciary Committee met this morning and this afternoon to considered the following.

House Bill 3156 raises the compensation rates of panel attorneys. The bill also raises compensation rates for investigators.

House Bill 3146 creates the Model Public Meetings During Emergencies Act. The bill provides for virtual meetings.

House Bill 3270 amends the deliberate intent statute to limit noneconomic damages to $250,000. The bill removes occupational pneumoconiosis from compensable injuries under deliberate intent and requires the separation of non-meritorious claims to enhance speedy resolution and to cap attorney fees to the same amount allowable under the other portions of Chapter 23.

House Bill 3313 restrains county commissions from imposing rules and regulations on farmers beyond what is already prescribed through state statute.

House Bill 3500 permits regulated consumer lenders to permit employees to conduct certain business at locations other than the licensee’s designated office.

House Bill 3193 establishes requirements for an order for payment of medical monitoring expenses. The bill provides that an increased risk of disease is not a compensable basis for damages in any civil action. The bill provides that, where awarded, payment of medical monitoring expenses shall not be paid to a prevailing plaintiff until the procedure is completed. The bill requires that, where awarded, defendants pay medical monitoring expenses into a fund established by the court for that purpose. The bill provides for the return of any money remaining in the fund after medical monitoring is no longer required for the defendants. The bill was removed from the agenda to perfect amendments. It will be taken up another day. 

House Bill 3354 authorizes municipalities to combine operations with other municipalities and counties to provide governmental services.

House Bill 3405 changes the time period of a protective order extension to one year, reserving the judge’s ability to extend longer with an explanation of reasoning.

House Bill 2939 allows a municipality to file a lien for unpaid and delinquent refuse fees.

House Bill 3480 creates the WV Consumer Privacy Act of 2023. The bill prohibits credit reporting agencies from disclosing and/or selling personal financial information.

House Advances Bill to Increase Penalties for Human Trafficking

Cheyenne DeBolt
-
0
House Advances Bill to Increase Penalties for Human Trafficking

During this morning’s House floor session, fourteen bills were passed, including House Bill 2252.

The bill increases the penalties for human trafficking from indeterminate to determinate sentences, as follows:

  • Human Trafficking or aiding and abetting human trafficking of
    • An adult
      • Current: 3 to 15 years
      • In Bill: 15 to 40 years and fined up to $200,000.
    • A minor
      • Current: 5 to 20 years
      • In Bill: 25 to 100 years and fined up to $300,000
  • Forced labor of
    • An Adult
      • Current: 1 to 5 years
      • In Bill: 15 to 40 years and fined up to $100,000
    • A Minor
      • Current: 3 to 20 years
      • In Bill: 25 to 100 years and fined up to $300,000
  • Debt Bondage
    • An Adult
      • Current: 1 to 5 years
      • In Bill: 15 to 40 years and fined up to $100,000
    • A Minor
      • Current: 1 to 5 years
      • In Bill: 15 to 40 years and fined up to $200,00
  • Sexual Servitude
    • An Adult
      • Current: 3 to 25 years
      • In Bill: 25+ years and fined up to $200,000
    • A Minor
      • Current: 10 to 20 years
      • In Bill: 50+ years and fined up to $300,000
  • Patronizing a victim of sexual servitude  
    • An Adult
      • Current: 1 to 5 years
      • In Bill: 25 to 100 years and fined up to $100,000
    • A Minor
      • Current 3 to 15 years
      • In Bill: 50+ years and fined up to $300,000

***An individual who is convicted of any of these offenses will not be eligible for parole before serving half of the individual’s sentence. If the victim is a minor, the individual will not be eligible for parole at all.

Bills increasing the penalty for human trafficking have been a subject of discussion for the past few years in the legislature. Delegates stated children and immigrants are vulnerable due to language barriers, unstable homes, drug epidemic, and ease of access because of interstates passing through WV.

The bill passed unanimously and advances to the Senate for consideration.

The House is in recess until 6 p.m.

Committee Meetings, Today

The Judiciary Committee will hold a public hearing on Friday, Feb. 24 at 4 p.m. in the House Chamber on HB 3042 – Relating to forbidding excessive government limitations on exercise of religion.

The Committee on Energy and Manufacturing will hold a public hearing on Monday, Feb. 27 at 9 a.m. in the House Chamber on HB 3446 – Clarifying the powers and duties of Public Service Commission as to electric generating facilities.

The Committee on Veterans Affairs and Homeland Security will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, Feb. 28 at 9 a.m. in the House Chamber on HB 3157 – Relating to clarifying the duties, functions, prohibitions and restrictions applicable to the West Virginia Fusion Center.

The House reconvened at 6 p.m. to finish the agenda with bills on second and first reading.

The House is adjourned until 9 a.m. on tomorrow, Feb. 25.

Committee Meetings, Tomorrow, Feb. 25

  • The Rules Committee will meet at 8:45 a.m. behind the Chamber.
  • The Finance Committee will meet at 3 p.m. in Room 410.
  • The Government Organization Committee will meet immediately following floor session.
  • The Education Committee will meet immediately following floor session.

Senate Passes Veterans’ Home Loan Mortgage Program of 2023

Christopher Marshall
-
0
Senate Passes Veterans’ Home Loan Mortgage Program of 2023

The Senate passed a bill on Friday that would help veterans receive lower mortgage rates in West Virginia.

Senate Bill 616 would create the West Virginia Veterans’ Home Loan Mortgage Program Act of 2023. Veterans and members of the National Guard and Reserves who are first-time home buyers would be eligible for this program that would allow them to obtain home mortgage loans that are at least one percentage point lower than rates available in the marketplace or through other housing programs.

The program would be administered by the West Virginia Housing Development Fund.

The legislation would require the veteran to contribute a minimum $2,500 down payment toward the purchase. Under the bill, this amount may go toward paying any closing costs incurred by the veteran.

The legislation places no limit on the maximum income that may be earned by an eligible veteran.

The bill calls for the State Treasurer’s Office to transfer $8 million from its Unclaimed Property Trust Fund to provide start-up costs for the program.

The legislation now heads to the House of Delegates for consideration.

The Senate is adjourned until tomorrow, Feb. 25, at 10 a.m.

House Energy and Manufacturing Advance Two Bills in Afternoon Meeting

Cheyenne DeBolt
-
0
House Energy and Manufacturing Advance Two Bills in Afternoon Meeting

The Committee on Energy and Manufacturing met this afternoon to consider the following.

House Bill 2814 creates the Clean Hydrogen Power Task Force in WV.

House Resolution 17 encourages the West Virginia Geologic and Economic Survey to work collectively with private industry and higher education institutions, with the support of the West Virginia Development Office, to evaluate policy options to encourage the capture and beneficial use of coal mine methane and report its findings to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance by December 31, 2023.

House Advances Bill to Amend TIF Act

Cheyenne DeBolt
-
0
House Advances Bill to Amend TIF Act

During today’s House floor session, eleven resolutions were adopted, and eighteen bills passed.

House Bill 2538 requires the Bureau of Social Services to create a child welfare web-based communications system. The system would be used to connect foster parents with the bureau and the families they serve.

House Bill 3340 revises the WV Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Act. The bill authorizes the county commission to expand the TIF for up to 15 years due to the impact of the recession and COVID-19 for bonds issued before December 31, 2020.

House Bill 3547 increases the number of personal leave days that county board of education employees may use without regard to the cause for the absence from four to five.

House Bill 3548 provides for uniform procedures, agreement forms, and benefits to ensure a teacher’s exchange of his or her duty-free lunch or planning to perform duties at the school is a voluntary exchange. The bill prohibits direct, in-person contact by administrators to request, coerce, or order a teacher to exchange his or her recess to perform these duties.

The House is in recess until 6 p.m.

Committee Meetings, Today

The Judiciary Committee will hold a public hearing on Friday, Feb. 24 at 4 p.m. in the House Chamber on HB 3042 – Relating to forbidding excessive government limitations on the exercise of religion.

The Committee on Energy and Manufacturing will hold a public hearing on Monday, Feb. 27 at 9 a.m. in the House Chamber on HB 3446 – Clarifying the powers and duties of the Public Service Commission as to electric generating facilities.

The House reconvened this evening to receive Senate messages. The body concurred with the Senate to complete legislative action on Senate Bill 128.

Senate Bill 128 clarifies the authority of the Governor and Legislature to proclaim and declare a state of emergency and preparedness.

The House also finished its agenda with second and first reading. On second, House Bill 3247 was amended.

Committee Meetings, Tomorrow, Feb. 24

  • The Judiciary Committee will meet at 9 a.m. in Room 410.
  • The Finance Committee will meet at 9 a.m. in Room 460.
  • The Rules Committee will meet at 10:45 a.m. behind the House Chamber.

The Committee on Veterans Affairs and Homeland Security will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, Feb. 28 at 9 a.m. in the House Chamber on HB 3157 – Relating to clarifying the duties, functions, prohibitions and restrictions applicable to the West Virginia Fusion Center.

Senate Passes Bill to Reduce Copay Cap on Insulin and Devices

Christopher Marshall
-
0
Senate Passes Bill to Reduce Copay Cap on Insulin and Devices

The Senate passed a bill on Thursday that would reduce the copay cap on insulin and devices, while also permitting purchase of testing equipment without prescription.

Senate Bill 577 caps the cost of a 30-day supply of insulin at $35, and $100 for devices. The devices covered at the $100 threshold include a blood glucose test strip, glucose monitor, lancet, lancing device, or insulin syringe; but not insulin pumps. The cost sharing maximums are aggregate, regardless of quantity or type. Under the bill, a prescription would not be required to obtain a blood-testing kit for ketones under the bill.

The legislation covers only private insurance. PEIA’s copays are very close to those in the bill. Medicare and Medicaid are not covered.

This bill now heads to the House of Delegates for consideration.

The Senate is adjourned until Friday, Feb. 24, at 11 a.m.

Afternoon Meetings:

Health at 1 p.m. in 451M

Judiciary at 2:30 p.m. in 208W

Finance at 3:15 in 451M

Morning Meetings for Feb. 24:

Agriculture and Natural Resources at 9 a.m. in 208W

Finance at 10 a.m. in 451M

Judiciary at 10 a.m. in 208W

House Gov Org Advances Five Bills in Evening Meeting

Cheyenne DeBolt
-
0
House Gov Org Advances Five Bills in Evening Meeting

The Committee on Government Organization met this evening to consider the following.

House Bill 3424 funds the West Virginia State Athletic Commission by implementing a 3% gate fee for all ticket and pay-per-view sales, live streaming rights, video rights, sold for such contests, and any rebroadcast rights from sanctioned events and requiring licensed promoters to provide the commission with a report showing the gross proceeds from all ticket and pay-per-view sales live streaming right, video rights, sold for such contests and any rebroadcast rights.

House Bill 3490 amends the State Code regarding the consolidation of local governments. The bill defines the powers and privileges of a consolidated local government. The percentage vote required to approve metro government in municipal and countywide elections from 55 percent to a majority in counties with populations below 20,000.

House Bill 2305 exempts foreign market vehicles manufactured 25 or more years ago from certain title requirements and allows registration upon application and payment of an additional $25 fee.

House Bill 2860 ensures the safe disposal of AFFF fire-fighting foam.

House Bill 2782 requires that municipal elections be held concurrently with regularly scheduled primary or general elections.

House Judiciary Advances Bill Establishing Marriage Consent Age

Cheyenne DeBolt
-
0
House Judiciary Advances Bill Establishing Marriage Consent Age

The Judiciary Committee met this afternoon and considered the following.

House Bill 3042 forbids excessive government limitations on the exercise of religion and creates the Equal Protection for Religion Act.

House Bill 3018 establishes the age of consent for marriage as 18. This prevents anyone under 18 from obtaining a marriage license in West Virginia. The bill removes the ability of an underage person to obtain consent to marry through their parents, legal guardian, or by petition to the circuit court. The bill was amended to clarify that this bill does not nullify marriages prior to its passage, nor does it nullify an otherwise legal marriage in another jurisdiction.

House Bill Originating relates to the Safe Haven Baby Box. Currently, a baby can be dropped off at a hospital or fire station if it is staffed 24/7. This bill allows for a box with an alarm to be placed in these fire stations. If the alarm sounds, firefighters would be required to retrieve the baby and take the baby to the hospital.

House Bill 3363 recognizes the law-enforcement powers of correctional officers employed by the Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation to bring state code into compliance with the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act (LEOSA) provision.

House Bill 3271 requires audio recordings in bathrooms of self-contained bathrooms in special education classrooms.

Senate Completes Bill to Divide DHHR

Christopher Marshall
-
0
Senate Completes Bill to Divide DHHR

The Senate completed legislative action on House Bill 2006 Wednesday, legislation that would divide the Department of Health of Human Resources into three separate agencies.

There was little debate today but lawmakers have been considering this for months, and passed a similar bill last year that was vetoed by Governor Justice in favor of further study.

Currently, DHHR is the state’s largest agency, with a $7.5 billion budget made up of both state and federal funding and close to 5,000 full-time employees. Despite the size and scope, the department has struggled for years to address the state’s health and social disparities.

The legislation today would split the massive agency into three separate agencies with their own agency head effective Jan. 1, 2024. The new agencies would be the Department of Health, the Department of Human Services, and the Department of Health Facilities.

The three departments would be served by one central Office of Shared Administration for administrative support for human resources, finances, information technology, administrative service, and communications, with all three departments entering into a memorandum of understanding. This model is similar to one used by the departments of Commerce, Tourism and Economic Development.

The new Department of Health would oversee the Bureau for Public Health, the Health Care Authority, the Center for Threat Preparedness and the offices of Emergency Medical Services, and Chief Medical Examiner.

The Department of Health also would oversee the Office of Inspector General, whose divisions would include the Office of Health Facility Licensure and Certification, the Board of Review, the Foster Care Ombudsman, the Olmstead Office, Investigations and Fraud Management, Quality Control, the Mental Health Ombudsman, the West Virginia Clearance for Access: Registry and Employment Screening and the Human Rights Commission.

The legislation provides greater autonomy to the Office of Inspector General, making it an office appointed by the Governor with a five-year term limit. The new departments are required to cooperate with the Office of Inspector General, which has subpoena power.

The Department of Human Services would oversee the bureaus for Social Services, Medical Services, Family Assistance, Child Support Enforcement, and Behavioral Health.

The Department of Health Facilities would oversee all DHHR-owned hospitals, including Hopemont Hospital, Jackie Withrow Hospital, John Manchin Sr. Health Care Center, Lakin Hospital, Mildred Mitchell-Bateman Hospital, Welch Community Hospital and William R. Sharpe Jr. Hospital. DHHR also would be required to submit a long-term sustainability plan for each facility by Dec. 1 of this year.

The bill now heads to the Governor’s desk to await his signature.

The Senate is adjourned until tomorrow, Feb. 23, at 11 a.m.

Afternoon Meetings:

School Choice at 1 p.m. in 208W

Economic Development at 1 p.m. in 451M

Outdoor Recreation at 2 p.m. in 208W

Finance at 3 p.m. in 451M

Judiciary at 3:20 p.m. in 208W

Tomorrow Morning Meetings:

Education at 9 a.m. in 451M

Subcommittee on SB62 at 9 a.m. in 208W

Government Organization at 9:15 a.m. in 208W

 

House Advances Bill to Increase National Guard Uniform Allowances

Cheyenne DeBolt
-
0
House Advances Bill to Increase National Guard Uniform Allowances

The House briefly met this morning, passing House Bill 2937 and House Bill 3233.

House Bill 2937 reduces the amount paid to the Tax Commissioner for the annual licensure fees to volunteer fire departments for charitable raffles.

House Bill 3233 increases the uniform allowances for members of the National Guard to $500. The bill also allows any member requiring specialty uniforms to request a reimbursement for procuring the uniforms.

During Senate Messages, the House concurred to complete legislative action on House Bill 2596, House Bill 3055, and House Bill 3272.

House Bill 2596 denies transfers to other schools by students who are suspended or expelled from a school for certain conduct, amend the county board of education’s policies, and modifies the appeals process for transferring students.

House Bill 3055 establishes technical transitional math for students interested in careers in trades. The bill allows the math course to be used to fulfill graduation requirements.

House Bill 3272 allows for the formation and operation of licensed and unlicensed private trust companies under West Virginia law.

After the bills on second reading, the House heard announcements and remarks by members.

The House is in recess until 6 p.m.

Committee Meetings, Today

  • The Finance Committee will meet at 1 p.m. in Room 460.
  • The Judiciary Committee will meet at 1 p.m. in Room 410.
  • The Education Committee will meet at 2 p.m. in Room 432.
  • The Committee on Government Organization will meet at 3:45 p.m. in Room 215E.
  • The Rules Committee will meet at 5:45 p.m. behind the Chamber.

Committee Meetings, Tomorrow, Feb. 23

  • The Committee on Banking and Insurance 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 3 p.m. in Room 460.
  • The Finance Committee will meet at 4 p.m. in Room 460.
  • The Committee on Government Organization will meet at 5 p.m. in Room 215E.

The Judiciary Committee will hold a public hearing on Friday, Feb. 24 at 4 p.m. in the House Chamber on HB 3042 – Relating to forbidding excessive government limitations on exercise of religion.

The Committee on Energy and Manufacturing will hold a public hearing on Monday, Feb. 27 at 9 a.m. in the House Chamber on HB 3446 – Clarifying the powers and duties of Public Service Commission as to electric generating facilities.

The House reconvened at 6 p.m.

The House Rules Committee moved Senate Bills 160, 246, and 463, along with House Bills 2189, 3509, 2511, 3512, 3513, 3514, 3515, 3516, 3517, 3518 & 3524 to the (inactive) House Calendar. The Committee also moved House Bills 2827, 3353, 3387, 3391, and 3431 to the Special Calendar on Second Reading.

The bills moved to the Special Calendar were read for a second time. Three amendments were offered on House Bill 3353, however only one was adopted.

House Bill 3353 limits state agencies from forming financial relationships that will benefit foreign entities that have values antithetical to those of the State of West Virginia.

The Rules Committee met again following session and moved the following to the Special Calendar: on third, House Bills 2538, 2607, 2917, 3005, 3110, 3148, 3376, and 3441; on first reading, 2016, 2483, 2567, 2648, 2759, 2760, 3013, 3059, 3214, 3274, 3341, 3398, 3409, 3444, 3450, 3459, 3473, 3479, 3482, 3484, 3487, 3493, 3552, and 3554.

The House is adjourned until 11 a.m. on tomorrow, Feb. 23.

1...464748...403Page 47 of 403

House Social Media

Wrap Up: Blog of the West Virginia Legislature

Contact us: webmaster@wvlegislature.gov

Legislature Social Media

Senate Social Media

© West Virginia Legislature 2023