Monday, July 14, 2025
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Senate Passes Summer Feeding for All Program

Christopher Marshall
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Senate Passes Summer Feeding for All Program

The Senate passed a bill Tuesday morning that would establish the Summer Feeding for All program.

According to food bank network Feeding America, one in eight West Virginians faces hunger on a daily basis. The Facing Hunger Foodbank estimates it serves 130,000 West Virginians each year, while Mountaineer Food Bank estimates more than 200,000 West Virginians struggle with food insecurity every day.

Senate Bill 306 would provide a periodic assessment of the needs of county students and availability of county resources to determine what type of resources are available and needed to reduce food insecurity for students when they are not in school.

Most counties are already feeding students in the summer through a variety of resources.  This bill is intended to determine any areas that have slipped through the cracks and need more attention.

Also on Tuesday, the body passed Senate Bill 166, which would increase the maximum compensation that may be earned by certain retired public employees from $20,000 t0 $25,000 per year. The legislation would also require an assessment of this figure every five years.

The Senate is adjourned until tomorrow, Feb. 1, at 11 a.m.

Afternoon Meetings:

Health at 1 p.m. in 451M

Energy at 1 p.m. in 208W

Finance at 3 p.m. in 451M

Judiciary at 3 p.m. in 208W

House Judiciary Passes Bills Relating to Immigration and Medical Procedures

Cheyenne DeBolt
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House Judiciary Passes Bills Relating to Immigration and Medical Procedures

The House Committee on the Judiciary met this afternoon and advanced three bills.

House Bill 2004 (The Second Amendment Financial Privacy Act) prevents using payment card processing systems for surveillance of Second Amendment activity and discriminatory conduct.

House Bill 2008 requires all local entities of this state to enforce immigration laws. The bill requires municipalities and counties to immediately contact the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement to identify where noncitizen residents are residing so that the matter of their illegal status can be resolved in the Courts. The bill prohibits discrimination while enforcing immigration laws and prohibits sanctuary cities in West Virginia.

House Bill 2007 prohibits irreversible gender reassignment surgery or providing hormone therapy for a person under the age of 18 transitioning genders.

House Education Passes Senate Bill 130: The Anti-Racism Act of 2023

Cheyenne DeBolt
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House Education Passes Senate Bill 130: The Anti-Racism Act of 2023

The Committee on Education meet this afternoon. Several bills advanced from committee.

House Bill 2380 removes and revises obsolete and outdated code relating to the School Board Authority. The bill allows funding directly to the construction fund instead of through school aid formula. The bill states powers and duties of the school building authority to issue revenue bonds, offer education saving plans, and collect rents.

House Bill 2941 extends the sunset date of the State Advisory Council on Postsecondary Attainment Goals to December 31, 2025.

House Bill 2942 adds to the list of charges or convictions the State Superintendent is required to suspend or revoke teaching certificates. The added charges or convictions are maltreatment of a disabled child or battery of disabled child or failing to report child abuse or neglect

House Bill 2279 grant in-state resident status to economic development participants in order to determine the rate of tuition to be charged for attendance at state institutions of higher education.

House Bill 2443 makes service employees with National Association for Pupil Transportation Certification as a Director or Supervisor of Pupil Transportation eligible as candidates for professional employee positions involving supervision of a county transportation department and requiring county boards to consider such candidates.

House Bill 2828 increases the starting salary for teachers from 39,055 to 44,000. Other salaries are based on a formula from starting pay with an increase for degree and years of services. All salaries shifted based on the formula.

House Bill 2598 provides a $900 monthly increase to state school service personnel.

House Bill 2989 increases the number of out-of-state medical students receiving in-state tuition rates who agree to practice for 1-4 years (depending on number of years in program for decreased rates) within West Virginia from two to four program participants per medical school. This increases the total number of students who can be enrolled from six to 12.

Senate Bill 130 or “The Anti-Racism Act of 2023” prohibits a school district, public charter school, the WV Board of Education, the WV Department of Education, or any employees of those entities from requiring or otherwise compelling a student, teacher, administrator, or other employee to affirm, adopt, or adhere to the following concepts: one race is inherently, morally, or intellectually superior to another race; an individual by virtue of the individual’s race is inherently (consciously or unconsciously) racist of oppressive; an individual should be discriminated against or receive adverse treatment solely or partly because of the individual’s race; an individuals moral character is determined by the individual’s race; or an individual by virtue of the individual’s race bears responsibility for actions committed by other members of the same race.

The bill does not prohibit the discussion of those concepts in theory as a part of the course, discussion or debate regarding race and its impact on historical or current events.

Amendments were offered and rejected.

Two Bills Advance from House Gov Org

Cheyenne DeBolt
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Two Bills Advance from House Gov Org

The Committee on Government Organization met this afternoon to consider two pieces of legislation.

House Bill 2768 requires all state entities and all chapter 30 boards to use “.gov” website domains and e-mail addresses by 2025 to identify the entities and boards as official government entities.

House Bill 3091 requires counties to provide certain information to the State Auditor for inclusion in the financial transparency website.

Both bills advanced from the Committee.

Senate Approves West Virginia Guardian Program

Christopher Marshall
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Senate Approves West Virginia Guardian Program

The Senate passed a bill Monday morning that would establish the West Virginia Guardian Program.

Senate Bill 282 would allow a county school board to engage specific professionals as independent contractors to provide public safety and security on school grounds. These qualified professionals include honorably discharged veterans, retired sheriff’s deputies and state troopers as well as certain retired federal law enforcement officers.

Under the bill, the qualified individual must have a valid concealed carry permit to carry on campus. The legislation stipulates that they would not be considered law enforcement and could not make arrests.

The bill requires that any contractor would be required to take the Law Enforcement Professional Standards Program at the State Police Academy and undergo screenings, including a physical, vision and psychiatric examination, as well as a pre-employment drug screen. The individual applicant must cover the training and screening expenses.

County board participation is voluntary and subject to the availability of county funds. Any county board that opts to participate would cover the cost of the contractor’s salary.

The bill passed on a 32-0 vote with two absent. It now heads to the House of Delegates for consideration.

A list of the 12 bills that passed the Senate today can be found here, under third reading.

The Senate is adjourned until tomorrow, Jan. 31, at 11 a.m.

Afternoon Meetings:

Transportation and Infrastructure at 1 p.m. in 451M.

Judiciary at 3 p.m. in 208W.

Finance at 3 p.m. in 451M.

Morning meetings for 1/31:

Education at 9 a.m. in 451M

Government Organization at 9 a.m. in 208W

House Postpones Action on Four Bills

Cheyenne DeBolt
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House Postpones Action on Four Bills

During today’s House floor session, 11 bills were on second reading and five were on first reading. Action on four bills was postponed one day. House Bills 2017, 2510, and 2596 remain on second reading. House Bill 2832 remains on first reading.

House Bill 2017 requires sheriffs to serve child abuse and neglect petitions and notice of preliminary hearings. The introduced bill required a sheriff to do such without additional compensation. The Judiciary Committee substitute changes it to with additional compensation. An amendment is pending to change the requirement without additional pay and notice to provide at least 10 days’ notice.

House Bill 2510 creates the Critical Mineral Investment Tax Credit Act of 2023. The bill exempts rare earth elements, critical minerals, and carbon-based products otherwise taxed in code. The amount of credit allowable depends on the cost of the qualified investment property and the number of new jobs created. The bill includes rules for the administration and enforcement of credit.

House Bill 2596 denies the transfer to other schools by students who are suspended or expelled from a school for certain conduct. The bill amends the county boards of education policies and modifies the appeals process for transferring students. The bill does have an amendment pending.

House Bill 2832 clarifies appropriate and inappropriate duties for school counselors.

The House is adjourned until 11 a.m. tomorrow, January 31, 2023.

Committee Meetings, Today

  • The Government Organization Committee will meet at 1 p.m. in Room 215E.
  • The Finance Committee will meet at 1 p.m. in Room 460.
  • The Education Committee will meet at 2 p.m. in Room 434.
  • The Judiciary Committee will meet at 3 p.m. in Room 410.

Committee Meetings, tomorrow, Jan. 31

  • The Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources will meet at 9 a.m. in Room 215E.
  • The Committee on Substance Abuse will meet at 9 a.m. in Room 434.
  • The Committee on Banking and Insurance will meet at 9 a.m. in Room 410.
  • 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 Technology and Infrastructure Committee will meet at 1 p.m. in Room 434.
  • 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.

Senate Completes Action on Two DMV Bills

Christopher Marshall
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Senate Completes Action on Two DMV Bills

The Senate met briefly Friday morning, completing legislative action on two bills relating to the Division of Motor Vehicles.

Senate Bill 2530 would extend the expiration of temporary registration plates from 60 to 90 days.

Senate Bill 2533 would allow for a permanent windshield placard to be valid for the duration of the a mobility impaired applicant’s life.

The Senate is adjourned until Monday, Jan. 30, at 11 a.m.

House Passes Bill Excluding Life Insurance from Paid to Debtor As Beneficiary

Cheyenne DeBolt
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House Passes Bill Excluding Life Insurance from Paid to Debtor As Beneficiary

The House of Delegates met early this morning at 9 a.m. and passed five bills.

Senate Bill 143 makes changes to the Adopt-A-Stream Program. The bill states that participants 17 years old or younger must be accompanied by an adult. The DEP will review applications for adoption and have the discretion to approve or deny the applications. Adoptions are for three years and at least one clean-up a year must take place.

Senate Bill 231 transfers the administration of the West Virginia Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (SBTT) Matching Funds Program from the Department of Commerce to the Department of Economic Development, including, but not limited to, the authority to propose legislative rules.

House Bill 2221 excludes life insurance proceeds and contractual instruments from paid to the debtor as a beneficiary during bankruptcy proceedings.

House Bill 2597 requires that employee evaluations for school personnel must provide data and an explanation in support of any statement or rating in which the employee is assessed to be less than satisfactory.

House Bill 2800 authorizes legislative rules for the Higher Education Policy Commission regarding Performance-Based Funding Formula, Capital Project Management, Tuition and Fee Policy, Higher Education Grant Program, Annual Reauthorization of Degree-Granting Institutions, and Human Resources Administration and authorizes legislative rules for the Council for Community and Technical College Education regarding Performance-Based Funding Formula, Capital Project Management, Workforce Development Initiative Grant Programs, Annual Reauthorization of Degree-Granting Institutions, and Human Resources Administration.

Thirteen bills were on first reading today. House Bill 2512 was tabled as it is a companion bill to Senate Bill 231 which just passed. Action on House Bill 2832 was postponed one day.

The House is adjourned until 11 a.m. Monday, January 30, 2023.

Committee Meetings, Today

  • The Finance Committee will meet immediately following the floor session in Room 460.
  • The Committee on Senior, Children, and Family Issues will be at 10:30 a.m. in Room 410.

Committee Meetings, Monday, Jan. 30

  • The Government Organization Committee will meet at 1 p.m. in Room 215E.
  • The Education Committee will meet at 2 p.m. in Room 434.
  • The Judiciary Committee will meet at 3 p.m. in Room 410.

Senate Designates Hunger-Free WV Day

Christopher Marshall
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Senate Designates Hunger-Free WV Day

The Senate adopted Senate Resolution 15, designating January 26, 2023, as Hunger-Free WV Day at Legislature, during this morning’s floor session.

The resolution highlights the roughly 200,000 West Virginians that struggle with food insecurity and the work the Mountaineer Food Bank and Facing Hunger Food Bank, and their local partners do to address those needs.

Those organizations distributed more than 33 million pounds of food throughout West Virginia in 2022.

Also on Thursday, the Senate passed Senate Bill 21, which requires certain documents that contain wage records to be considered confidential.

Senate bills 477-485 were introduced today.

The Senate us adjourned until tomorrow, Jan. 27, at 9 a.m.

Afternoon Meetings:

Energy at 1 p.m. in 208W

Health at 1 p.m. in 451M

Judic Sub A at 2 p.m. in 208W

Judic Sub B at 2 p.m. in 451M

Judic Sub C at 2 p.m. in 219M

Finance at 3 p.m. in 451M

Bill Increasing Abuse and Neglect Penalties Moves to Senate

Cheyenne DeBolt
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Bill Increasing Abuse and Neglect Penalties Moves to Senate

The House convened briefly today, passing two bills, amending one, and recommitting another to a committee.

House Bill 2113 increases the criminal penalties imposed on a parent, guardian, or custodian for child abuse resulting in injury and child abuse or neglect creating a risk of injury. This bill does not change fines; it changes criminal sentencing penalties.

The changes are as follows:

  • Abuse causing the child bodily injury
    • The current penalty is 1 to 5 years
    • Bill changes the penalty to 2 to 10 years
  • Abuse with serious bodily injury
    • The current penalty is 2 to 10 years
    • Bill changes the penalty to 5 to 15 years
  • Abuse with a substantial risk of death or serious bodily harm
    • The current penalty is 1 to 5 years
    • Bill changes the penalty to 2 to 10 years
  • Abuse with a substantial risk of bodily harm
    • Misdemeanor with fine and or up to 6 months in jail
    • Bill does not change this penalty.
  • A second offense of child abuse bodily injury (the misdemeanor)
    • The current penalty is a misdemeanor
    • Bill changes the penalty to a felony with 1 to 5 years.  
  • Second felony conviction
    • Bill changes the penalty to twice the term and the fine authorized
  • Neglect causing child bodily injury
    • The current penalty is 1 to 3 years
    • Bill does not change this penalty.
  • Neglect causing serious bodily injury
    • The current penalty is 1 to 10 years
    • Bill does not change this penalty.
  • Gross neglect with a substantial risk of death or serious bodily harm
    • The current penalty is 1 to 5 years
    • Bill changes the penalty to 1 to 10 years
  • Neglect with risk of bodily injury
    • Misdemeanor with a fine or up to 6 months in jail
    • Bill does not change this penalty.
  • A second offense of neglect with risk of bodily injury (the misdemeanor)
    • The current penalty is a misdemeanor
    • Bill changes the penalty to a felony with 1 to 5 years
  • Second felony conviction
    • Bill changes the penalty to twice the term and the fine authorized

An additional change is that the provisions MAY not apply if neglect is due primarily due to a lack of financial means. The bill passed and advanced to the Senate.

House Bill 2531 clarifies that rail companies must cooperate with and receive permission from the Commissioner of the Division of Highways before they build or conduct repairs or otherwise perform maintenance on the railroad, tracks, or crossing that closes state roads to ensure that the traveling public has needed access to emergency services, school, work and is not unnecessarily inconvenienced by road closures. The bill passed and advanced to the Senate.

Senate Bill 143 requires volunteers for the Adopt-A-Stream Program 17 years or younger to be accompanied by an adult. The bill also changes the eligibility for participation in the program and changes the section process for participation. The bill allows the department to approve or deny applications at its discretion. The Government Organization amendment was adopted by the House and advanced to third reading.  

House Bill 2171 was recommitted to the Committee on Technology and Infrastructure on second reading.

The House is adjourned until 9 a.m. tomorrow, January 27, 2023.

Committee Meetings, Today

Committee Meetings, tomorrow, Jan. 27

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