Monday, June 2, 2025
Monday, June 2, 2025
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House Judiciary Advances Compliance Credits System for Individuals on Probation and Parole

Cheyenne DeBolt
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House Judiciary Advances Compliance Credits System for Individuals on Probation and Parole

The House Judiciary Committee met this evening and considered the following.

House Bill 3232 regulates fantasy gaming competitions and implementation of sports wagering by allowing the West Virginia State Gaming Control Board to accredit independent evaluators to audit and opine on the sports betting content directly or indirectly affiliated with mobile sports wagering licensees.

House Bill 2122 requires the child to have contact with a parent, guardian, legal custodian, or other legally recognized equivalent by phone call or video conference. The bill permits a law-enforcement officer to ask questions reasonably believed to be necessary to protect life or property without requiring contact with counsel, parents, guardians, or other recognized persons. The bill does require questions of a child to be limited to obtaining such information reasonably believed to be necessary to protect life or property.

A bill originating in committee recognizes, enforces, and registers Canadian Domestic Violence Protective Orders in West Virginia.

House Bill 3445 creates earned compliance credits for individuals on probation and parole for certain behaviors and actions to incentivize rehabilitation efforts. The bill authorizes supervising officers to recommend rescinding of credit to the court in certain circumstances. The bill requires the Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation and the Division of Probation Services to provide annual reports to the Legislature.

House Bill 3114 denies severance pay to probationary employees of the Department of Transportation who are terminated for failing or refusing to submit to a drug screen

House Health Advances Abuse and Neglect Oversight Act

Cheyenne DeBolt
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House Health Advances Abuse and Neglect Oversight Act

The House Health and Human Resources Committee met this afternoon to consider the following.

House Bill 2025 expands the type of professionals who may diagnose post-traumatic stress disorder.

House Bill 3501 creates a special revenue fund known as the Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Instruction Fund to provide funding for CPR instruction to high school students.

House Bill 3247 creates the Abuse and Neglect Oversight Act. The bill states that DHHR shall institute a three-tier staff reimbursement model. The system will offer higher subsidy payments to programs that demonstrate that they meet higher standards of car. The Bureau of Medical Services will develop a new policy framework for Intensively Supported Settings to be evaluated on an annual basis. Oversight for this shall be provided by OFLAC.

House Completes Legislative Action on Campus Self-Defense Act

Cheyenne DeBolt
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House Completes Legislative Action on Campus Self-Defense Act

During today’s floor session, a motion was made to discharge House Bill 2036. The bill would exemptions from mandatory immunizations based on religious reasons. The motion failed.

Several bills are on the agenda for discussion today. The debate on Senate Bill 10 was lengthy during the morning session.

Senate Bill 10, the Campus Self-Defense Act, allows concealed carry of handguns on higher education institution campuses.

The proponents of the bill stated that the right to concealed carry is a constitutional right and the right cannot be restricted on location. Some stated citizens should have the ability to defend themselves in any situation. Others argued a good actor carrying could stop a bad actor on campus to do harm. One person argued that the sheer knowledge that concealed carry is allowed on campus could deter a bad actor from planning a shooting on campus.

Opponents of the bill expressed concern for the dangers of mixing alcohol, stress, and mental health problems with access to guns. The concern is suicide rates will increase on university campuses with access to guns on campus. They stated that no university officials have expressed support for the legislation and have concerns about guns on their campuses. Other opponents noted the training received for concealed carry isn’t the same as military or police training.

The bill passed 84 to 13, completing legislative action.

After the passage of Senate Bill 10, a motion was made to read House Bill 2283 and every other bill in its entirety.

After House Bill 2283 was read, the House recessed until 8 p.m. tonight.

Committee Meetings, Today

Committee Meetings, Tomorrow, Feb. 22

The House convened briefly to receive committee reports and Senate messages.

The House is adjourned until 11 a.m. tomorrow, February 22.

Senate Completes Action on Bill Regarding Sexual Assault Exams

Admin
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Senate Completes Action on Bill Regarding Sexual Assault Exams

During the morning floor session, Senators concurred with House Amendments on Senate Bill 89, which requires hospitals to staff qualified personnel to perform sexual assault exams. The bill revises the requirement of staffing to apply to on call and available health care practitioners rather than requiring the hospital to have staff available at all hours of operation. The bill adds an effective date of July 1, 2024.

The bill now heads to the Governor for final approval.

Among other bills on third reading, Senators also passed Senate Bill 591, which allows counties and municipalities to jointly undertake development projects and, Senate Bill 602, to enable West Virginia State University and Bluefield State University to offer associate degrees.

All bills on 2nd Reading on the Senate Calendar were advanced to third reading with the exception of Senate Bill 195, Glucagon for Schools Act; Senate Bill 608, correcting list of items which are considered deadly weapons; and House Bill 3141, relating to the practice of dentistry, which were all three laid over one day, and; Senate Bill 601, providing that WV Secondary School Activities Commission promulgate legislative rules , which was referred to the Rules Committee.

Afternoon Senate committee meetings:
Health – 1 p.m. 451M
Finance Subcommittee B – 2 p.m. 208 W
Finance – 3 p.m. 451M
Judiciary – 3 p.m. 208W

The Senate is adjourned until 11:00 a.m. tomorrow, February 22nd.

 

House Pensions and Retirement Advance Several Senate Bills

Cheyenne DeBolt
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House Pensions and Retirement Advance Several Senate Bills

The Committee on Pensions and Retirement met this morning. The following bills advance.

Senate Bill 449 adds WV Natural Resource Police Officers Retirement System to the state government Retirement Systems. The bill also amends code relating to charter schools and TERS.

Senate Bill 450 requires a medical exam by a board-approved physician for disability awards and benefits for 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 adds electing charter schools to the retirement contributions section and provisions of delinquent contribution. The bill provides for the transfer of assets from PERS to TERS.

Senate Bill 475 provides for the oversight board discretion in the method of medical examinations of a member applying for disability benefits,

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

Senate Bill 458 sets the rate of interest on delinquent retirement contribution submissions. The bill also prohibits an employer from unilaterally terminating its participation without legislative action.

House Judiciary Increases Human Trafficking Penalties

Cheyenne DeBolt
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House Judiciary Increases Human Trafficking Penalties

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

House Bill 3189 creates the PFAS Protection Act. The bill requires the DEP to identify and address PFAS sources impacting public water by July 1, 2024. The bill also requires that facilities that have used PFA chemicals recently report their use to the DEP. It’s required that permits be updated to monitor PFAS chemical facilities to report their use. The bill also requires the DEP to propose rules to adopt water quality criteria for certain PFAS chemicals after they are finalized by the USEPA.

House Bill 3493 prohibits a governmental entity of China or a company or other entity that is headquartered in or controlled by the government of China from owning land in West Virginia.

House Bill 3448 allows the Supreme Court Division of Probation Services to conduct field training for probation officers and grants a field training officer the same powers as a probation officer while performing his or her duties.

House Bill 2189 creates the Protection of Property from Warrantless Searches Act.

House Bill 3265 allows a sheriff to bill another law enforcement agency for services.

House Bill 2252 enhances criminal penalties for human trafficking. The bill sets determinate sentencing. For human trafficking of an adult, it would be 15 to 40 years; and for the trafficking of a minor, 25 to 100 years. The bill removes parole eligibility for anyone guilty of trafficking a minor. The bill was amended to include fines in addition to sentencing.

House Bill 3188 establishes an alert system for missing cognitively impaired persons.

House Bill 3006 adds the criminal offense of damaging, destroying, or stealing any amount of copper, with felony penalties. The bill also provides for forfeiture of items of personal property that are used, have been used, or are intended for use, used in the perpetration of theft or damage to infrastructure. The bill was amended to increase fines.

House Gov Org Advances Bill for Memorial

Cheyenne DeBolt
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House Gov Org Advances Bill for Memorial

The Committee on Government Organization met this afternoon, advancing the following.

House Bill 3484 expands the employment and training requirements for individuals to receive SNAP benefits.

House Bill 3303 clarifies and expands the powers and duties of the director of the Coalfield Community Development Office and provides funding to the office through federal grants and portions of West Virginia’s severance tax collections.

House Bill 3438 establishes an auto-renewal licensing program that is eligible for discounts on licensing fees.

House Bill 3459 allows for a best-value procurement evaluation for prequalified bidders.

House Bill 2760 permits firefighters to drive ambulances at the scene of an emergency when both EMTs are needed to administer patient care.

House Concurrent Resolution 19 declares the “pepperoni roll” to be the official state food of West Virginia.

House Bill 3398 establishes the WV Memorial to Fallen Heroes of the Global War on Terrorism. The bill allocates funding and creates a commission to construct the monument which will be placed on the Capitol grounds.

House Passes Bill to Create Upper Ohio Valley Trail Network Recreational Authority

Cheyenne DeBolt
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House Passes Bill to Create Upper Ohio Valley Trail Network Recreational Authority
During today’s floor session, the House passed seven bills, including House Bill 3147 and House Bill 3215.
House Bill 3147 expands the Mountaineer Trail Network and creates the Upper Ohio Valley Trail Network Recreational Authority. The bill establishes the recreation area as all Northern Panhandle counties – Hancock, Brooke, Ohio, and Marshall as well as Ohio Valley Counties – Wetzel, Tyler, Pleasants, Wood, Jackson, Mason, and Cabell. Recreational activities at these locations include hunting, fishing, swimming, boating, camping, hiking, and more. The bill does provide protections for landowners.
House Bill 3215 provides flexibility in timelines to allow planning commissions to promptly address applications. The bill addresses difficulties with finding qualified members for public boards and modifies the frequency of planning commission meetings. The bill addresses the jurisdiction of the planning commission and provides for flexibility in qualifications for county boards of zoning appeals and modifies the frequency of board of zoning appeals meetings.
Amendments were offered on four bills and two bills had action postponed.
Senate Bill 10, the Campus Self-Defense Act, authorizes the carry of concealed pistols and revolvers on grounds of higher education institutions by a person who holds a current license to do so. Two amendments were offered and rejected on the bill. The first amendment would allow the institutions to establish residence halls where weapons were prohibited to allow students who want to live in a gun-free environment to do so. The second amendment would remove the provisional conceal carry part of the code from the bill to prevent 18- to 21-year-old individuals from carrying on campus. Both amendments were rejected.
House Bill 2498 requires medication-assisted treatment programs to have written policies concerning community relations. The bill was amended to require all county commissioners and mayors of every municipality within the county to be notified with certified mail 60 days prior to a location being opened or moved within the municipality.
House Bill 3110 ensures that the WVDEP Office of Oil and Gas has sufficient money to inspect the oil and gas wells of the State of West Virginia in an efficacious and diligent manner that protects the people and environment of the State from degradation related to violations of the West Virginia oil and gas production laws. An amendment was offered and rejected which would have required permit fees for every well.
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. The bill was amended to remove the requirement that a teacher finds their own substitute for those days.
House Bill 2900 and House Bill 3353 were postponed one day.
The House Rules Committee moved House Bill 3430 to the inactive House Calendar.
The House is in recess until 4:30 p.m.
Committee Meetings, Today
  • The Finance Committee will meet at 1:30 p.m. in Room 460.
  • The Government Organization Committee will meet at 1 p.m. in Room 215E.
  • The Education Committee will meet at 2:30 p.m. in Room 432.
  • The Judiciary Committee will meet at 3 p.m. in Room 410.
Committee Meetings, Tuesday, Feb. 21
  • The Committee on Agriculture and Natural Development will meet at 9:15 a.m. in Room 215E.
  • The Committee on Pensions and Retirement will meet at 10 a.m. in Room 460.
  • The Rules Committee will meet at 10:45 a.m. behind the House Chamber.
  • 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 Health and Human Resources will meet at 3 p.m. in Room 215E.
  • The Finance Committee will meet at 4 p.m. in Room 460.

Senate Passes Violent Crime Prevention Act

Christopher Marshall
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Senate Passes Violent Crime Prevention Act

The Senate passed a bill dealing with firearms ballistics identification dubbed the “Violent Crime Prevention Act” during Monday’s floor session.

Senate Bill 303 would require law enforcement agencies to submit ballistics data from firearms suspected of being used in criminal activity to the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network, which is operated by the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

If the legislation passes, the ATF would provide free training for law enforcement agencies on how to submit information to the system.

Under the bill, agencies would submit shell casings found at crime scenes or from test fires of handguns they recover. They would mail the casings for analysis by the AFT, where they collect firearms evidence in the form of spent shell casings and there is a microscopic evaluation of those casings. The images would then be uploaded into the NIBIN network.

The NIBIN network currently has five million evidence submissions and counting in a database that is constantly growing according to testimony in committee last week. The idea is that when a shell casing is entered into the system, if a firearm fired that casing at one particular scene and is connected to another, there will be a correlation and investigators will know those two crimes are linked.

Supporters of the bill noted in committee last week that the database is a valuable tool for law enforcement agencies, citing an instance in which bullet casings recovered after a shooting in Kanawha County helped solve a shooting in Morgantown.

Proponents also noted that the program could be particularly helpful in rural areas like West Virginia, where there is a high transient criminal population.

West Virginia would be the fourth state to pass legislation relating to the NIBIN network. The bill now heads to the House of Delegates for consideration.

The Senate is adjourned until tomorrow, Feb. 21, at 11 a.m.

Afternoon Meetings:

Military at 1 p.m. in 208W

Agriculture and Natural Resources at 2 p.m. in 208W

Banking and Insurance at 2 p.m. in 451M

Finance at 3 p.m. in 451M

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

Morning Meetings for Feb. 21

Education at 9 a.m. in 451M

Government Organization at 9 a.m. in 208W

Senate Completes Action on One Bill Friday

Christopher Marshall
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Senate Completes Action on One Bill Friday

The Senate completed legislation on one bill during Friday morning’s floor session.

Senate Bill 275 will add State Fire Marshals to the statute included with law enforcement and first responders that receive information on school safety requirements.

Also on Friday, Senator Swope (R-Mercer) voluntarily stepped down from his position as chair of the Senate Economic Development Committee and President Craig Blair (R-Berkeley) appointed Senator Glenn Jeffries (R-Putnam) to the position. Swope had suggested recently to Blair that Jeffries be appointed to the position.

Jeffries was instrumental in attracting two companies owned by Berkshire Hathaway to the state earlier this year. The companies are purchasing more than 2,000 acres at the former Century Aluminum site in Jackson County to build a modern titanium melt facility powered by solar energy.

The Senate is adjourned until Monday, Feb. 20, at 11 a.m.

Today’s Meetings:

Workforce at 11 a.m. in 208W

Judiciary at Noon in 208W

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