The House briefly convened this morning. During Senate messages, the House concurred to complete legislative action on House Bills 3013, 3114, 3444, and 3448.

House Bill 3013 authorizes the Jefferson County Commission to levy a special district excise tax for the benefit of the Hill Top House Hotel Economic Opportunity District. The bill also allows the Commission to create the district and levy the special district excise tax without the approval of the executive director of the development office. The Commission can determine the base district tax, the base tax revenue amount, the gross annual district tax revenue amount, and the estimated net annual district tax revenue amount. The Senate amended the bill to continue the University Town Centre Economic Opportunity Development District in Monongalia County through 2053.

House Bill 3114 requires the denial of severance pay to probationary employees of the Department of Transportation who are terminated for failing or refusing to submit to drug or alcohol screens.

House Bill 3444 adds the Cabinet Secretary of Economic Development or a designee to the West Virginia Semiquincentennial Commission.

House Bill 3448 allows the Administrative Director of the Supreme Court of Appeals to hire field training probation officers to provide uniform training to new and current probation officers.

The House passed three of the four bills up for passage. Senate Bill 613 was postponed another day.

Senate Bill 51 requires in instances where an impact statement is required, a county board of education to give the impact statement substantial weight when deciding on any proposal to close or consolidate a school. The bill requires a State Board of Education rule detailing information that a county board is required to include as part of its impact statement.

Senate Bill 267 requires prior authorization forms to be submitted to insurance agencies via an electronic portal.

Senate Bill 479 states that the Bureau for Medical Services is exempt from the requirements of the Purchasing Division for managed care contracts.

The House is in recess until 5 p.m.

Committee Meetings, Today

• The Committee on Technology and Infrastructure will meet at 2 p.m. in Room 432.
• The Committee on Economic Development and Tourism will meet at 2 p.m. in Room 460.
• The Committee on Energy and Manufacturing will meet at 2 p.m. in Room 410.
• 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 House reconvened to take up the remainder of their agenda.

Committee meetings this evening

• The Finance Committee will meet at 6 p.m. in Room 460.
• The Judiciary Committee will meet at 6 p.m. in Room 410.

Committee Meetings, tomorrow, March 8 

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

The House is adjourned until 11 a.m. tomorrow, March 8.

During today’s floor session, the House refused to concur with the Senate on Senate Bill 243.

The bill states that substance abuse facilities must offer transportation to individuals upon discharge to their birth state, the state they’ve previously lived in, or a state where they have a family support structure.

The Senate amended version states that providers are solely responsible for the patient’s out-of-state transportation costs.

With the House refusing to concur, Senate Bill 243 heads back to the Senate.

Of the 21 bills up for passage today, 19 passed and two were postponed. Senate Bill 51 and Senate Bill 613 had action postponed one day.

Several bills relating to retirement passed today.

Senate Bill 237 provides a one-time bonus of $1,500 to public employee retirees and retired teachers who are 70 years old and have served at least 20 years.

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

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 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.

The House is in recess until 6 p.m.

• The Committee on Government Organization will meet at 1 p.m. in Room 215E.
• The Education Committee will meet at 2 p.m. in Room 432.
• The Judiciary Committee will meet at 3 p.m. in Room 410.
• The Finance Committee will meet at 3:30 p.m. in Room 460.
• The Rules Committee will meet at 5:45 p.m. behind the House Chamber.

Committee Meetings, tomorrow, March 7

• The Judiciary Committee will meet at 9 a.m. in Room 410.
• The Committee on Government Organization will meet at 9 p.m. in Room 215E.
• The Education Committee will meet at 9 p.m. in Room 432.
• The Rules Committee will meet at 10:45 p.m. behind the House Chamber.
• The Committee on Technology and Infrastructure will meet at 1 p.m. in Room 432.
• The Committee on Economic Development and Tourism will meet at 2 p.m. in Room 460.
• The Committee on Energy and Manufacturing will meet at 2 p.m. in Room 410.
• The Finance Committee will meet at 3 p.m. in Room 460.

The House returned to session at 6:20 p.m. to receive Senate messages and committee reports.

The House is adjourned until tomorrow, March 7 at 11 a.m.

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.