Blog – Page 73

Mobile Vehicle Registration Card Bill Advances

House Committee

Cheyenne DeBolt

-

February 17, 2022

House Government Organization met this afternoon and advanced several bills.

House Bill 4345 authorizes vehicle owners to utilize electric or mobile registration cards. Removed from the code is the requirement that the registration card be signed with ink.

House Bill 4797 requires the Department of Economic Development to create an Electronic Vehicle Infrastructure Development Plan. West Virginia is set to receive NEVI funds which require the plan to be submitted to the federal government.

House Bill 4769 eliminates the requirement to send recommended decisions by certified mail, return receipt requested. The elimination of this requirement will result in savings to the Public Service Commission.

House Bill 4768 amends the hearing and notice provision of determining whether a utility is “distressed” to allow hearings to be within 20 miles of service territory. The committee substitute also removes the requirement of the hearing notice in a legal ad.

House Bill 4742 provides for the restoration of the Holly Grove Mansion. The bill establishes a commission to assist with the renovation of the structure and funding will be provided in a separate appropriations bill. The bill states the commission will be disbanded after the renovation is complete. The Control of the Holly Grove Mansion will be moved from General Services to the Division of Arts, Culture, and History once restoration is complete.

House Bill 4691 provides a 45-day waiting period before rates go into effect to allow utilities purchasing water and/or sewer services from the municipality adequate time to seek rates increase to cover the increased cost of purchasing the water and sewer services from the municipality.

Senate Completes Action on Bill to Establish Child Labor Memorial

Senate Floor Session

Christopher Marshall

-

February 17, 2022

0

Senate Completes Action on Bill to Establish Child Labor Memorial

The Senate completed action on a bill Thursday that would commission a $500,000 child labor memorial in Fairmont.

House Bill 3312, which passed the Senate unanimously, would set forth the development of the memorial. The target completion date is Nov. 15, 2022, with a dedication date set for Dec. 6, 2022 – the 115th anniversary of the Monongah mine disaster, which, according to an official count, resulted in 362 deaths.

Proposed text on a memorial plaque would state the death toll doesn’t account for miners’ family members, “including dozens of children who were present in the mines that day.”

The text would also read: “Whether due to enslavement or poverty, child labor was a grievous part of our state’s industrial history – not only in coal mining, but also in factories, salt works and other inherently hazardous professions – until it was restricted by state and federal laws in the early 20th century. This monument stands as a memorial to all children who were victimized by child labor in hazardous industry, and may this park serve as a reminder that the primary employment of children ought to be to learn and to play.”

The Senate is adjourned until tomorrow, Feb. 18 at 9 a.m.

Afternoon Meetings:
Gov. Org at 2 p.m. in 208W.
Education at 2 p.m. in 451M.
Finance at 3 p.m. in 451M
Judiciary at 3 p.m. in 208W.

Severance Tax Exemption on Rare Earth Minerals Advances

House Floor Session

Cheyenne DeBolt

-

February 17, 2022

0

Severance Tax Exemption on Rare Earth Minerals Advances

The House Rules met this morning, moving HJR 102, HB 2910, HB 4331, and HB 4627 from the Special Calendar to the House Calendar. They moved HB 4568 and HB 4264 to the Special Calendar. They advanced HCRs 35, 45, 62, 63, 64, 65, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, and 76 to the floor.

Four bills were passed in the House today.

House Bill 4025 encourages economic development by providing a 5-year severance tax exemption for severing rare earth elements.

House Bill 4329 updates the definition of an “interest person” in the West Virginia Small Estate Act. The bill states that an interested person would be any person or entity having a property right in or a claim against the estate of the decedent or property in a small estate.

House Bill 4562 clarifies the process of the suspension and dismissal of school personnel by the board and the appeals process. Once a fact-finding investigation alleges conduct that would jeopardize the health, safety, or welfare of students, the affected employee shall be suspended, placed on administrative leave, or reassigned to duties that do not involve direct interaction with pupils.

House Bill 4578 authorizes the superintendent of the State Police to oversee the administration and implementation of the state’s Handle with Care program.

Several bills were reported from committees, including House Bill 4019 and House Bill 4021, both originated in House Education.

House Bill 4019 delays deadlines for public charter schools to execute a charter contract and the last day for the primary round of student enrollment application, lottery, and enrollment for charter schools intending on opening on July 1, 2022.

House Bill 4021 revises the Medical Student Loan Program. The bill authorizes medical schools to make loans and use special revolving funds for program use. Certain schools may set eligibility requirements and maximum loan amounts. It requires agreements with participating individuals to select a service commitment area.

The House is adjourned until 11 a.m. Friday, February 18, 2022.

Committees – Today

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

The Committee on Health and Human Resources will meet at 1 p.m. in Room 215E.

The Judiciary Committee will meet at 3 p.m. in Room 410.

The Committee on Government Organization will meet at 3 p.m. in Room 215E.

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

The Education Committee will meet at 3 p.m. in Room 434.

The Select Committee on Tourism and Economic Diversification will meet at 5 p.m. in Room 215E.

Committees – Friday, February 18, 2022

The Select Committee on Prisons and Jails will meet at 8 a.m. in Room 410.

The Education Committee will meet at 9 a.m. in Room 434.

The Committee on Seniors, Children, and Family Issues will meet at 9 a.m. in Room 215E.

The Judiciary Committee will meet at 1 p.m. in Room 410.

House Finance Discusses B&O and Privilege Taxes

House Committee

-

February 16, 2022

0

House Finance Discusses B&O and Privilege Taxes

The House Finance Committee met this afternoon.

House Bill 4591 accelerates the change in the real estate transfer tax so that it is payable only to the counties.

House Bill 4567 prohibits a municipality from imposing its business and occupation or privilege tax on any business activity or occupation when the basis of the tax is derived from products being shipped into or sold in the municipality. The bill advances to the floor.

House Bill 4566 creates the Economic Enhancement Grant Fund for local governments for various economic development projects they have. The bill also authorizes WV Water Development Authority to make grants to cover all or portions of the costs of water, sewer, economic development, and tourism projects.

House Bill 4604 eliminates the Workforce Development Initiative Program advisory council.

House Bill 2096 restores the film tax credit program in WV. The bill raises the minimum threshold of cumulative annual expenditures necessary to qualify for credit. It establishes annual limits for credits available. It requires the WV Development Office to develop a database of location, music, and other resources to be made available to film production teams. The bill advances to the floor.

House Advances Small Business Jumpstart Act

House Floor Session

Cheyenne DeBolt

-

February 16, 2022

0

House Advances Small Business Jumpstart Act

Today, the House of Delegates adopted 16 naming resolutions, including HCR 26.

House Concurrent Resolution 26 names the bridge known as US 60 Washington Street Bank the “Charleston Police Officer Cassie Johnson-Fallen Heroes Memorial Bridge.”

The House also passed 11 bills, including House Bills 4002, 4008, 4259, 4460, and 4489.

House Bill 4002 creates the Certified Cities and Development Readiness program under the Department of Economic Development. The Department is required to establish evaluation criteria and site certification levels. It will create an application process and determine eligible applicants. There are two grant programs established in the bill: a matching grant of up to 50 percent and a micro-grant of up to $25,000.

House Bill 4008 directs the Higher Education Policy Commission to work with the WV Council for Community and Technical College Education to create a funding formula model governing its appropriation request to the legislature.

House Bill 4259 creates the Small Business Jumpstart Act. This bill creates two programs that will raise private capital to invest in WV small businesses.

House Bill 4489 requires county boards of education to post job openings to the State Board of Education’s Statewide Job Bank. The bill also adds that job openings for extracurricular activities shall also be posted to the Statewide Job Bank.

Six bills were on second reading, action on House Bill 4331 was postponed one day. It remains on second reading for tomorrow.

The House is adjourned until 11 a.m. Thursday, February 17, 2022.

Committees – Today

The Workforce Development Committee will meet at 2 p.m. in Room 215E.

The Committee on Fire and EMS will meet at 2 p.m. in Room 434.

The Judiciary Committee will meet at 3 p.m. in Room 410.

The Committee on Government Organization will meet at 3 p.m. in Room 215E.

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

The Education Committee will meet at 3:30 p.m. in Room 434.

The Committee on Technology and Infrastructure will meet at 5 p.m. in House Chamber.

Committees – Thursday, February 17, 2022

The Political Subdivisions Committee will meet at 9 a.m. in Room 410.

The Education Committee will meet at 9:30 a.m. in Room 434.

The Rules Committee will meet at 10:45 a.m.

The Committee on Energy and Manufacturing will meet at 2 p.m. in Room 410.

The Judiciary Committee will meet at 3 p.m. in Room 410.

The Committee on Government Organization will meet at 3 p.m. in Room 215E.

The Select Committee on Tourism and Economic Diversification will meet at 5 p.m. in Room 215E.

Public Hearing – On Thursday, February 17, 2022 at 9 a.m. the Judiciary Committee will host a public hearing on House Bill 4394 – To reaffirm and enhance the workers compensation excusive remedy rule or doctrine.

Senate Creates Crime of Sexual Extortion

Senate Floor Session

Christopher Marshall

-

February 16, 2022

0

Senate Creates Crime of Sexual Extortion

The Senate passed nine bills during Wednesday’s floor session, one of which creates the crime of sexual extortion in West Virginia.

Senate Bill 86 would create a new criminal offense of sexual extortion by a person holding a position of trust, supervisory authority, or disciplinary power over another person.

The bill states that any person that coerces, threatens to injure or causes injury to the character, person, employment or property of another person or their family family with the purpose to engage in sexual activities is guilty of a felony and should be imprisoned for one to five years.

If the accused holds a position of trust or authority over the victim, the sentence would be three to five years.

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

The Senate is adjourned until Thursday, Feb. 17 at 11 a.m.

Afternoon Meetings
Pensions at 2 p.m. in 451M.
Finance at 3 p.m. in 451M.
Judiciary at 3 p.m. in 208W.

Banking & Insurance Committee Advances Three Bills in Morning Meeting

House Committee

Cheyenne DeBolt

-

February 16, 2022

0

Banking & Insurance Committee Advances Three Bills in Morning Meeting

The Committee on Banking and Insurance met this morning and advanced a few bills.

Senate Bill 262 requires the Treasurer to prepare, maintain, and publish on its website a list of financial institutions engaged in boycotts of energy companies. These companies will be considered ineligible to enter contracts with the state for banking services. The institution will be notified two days before being posted to the list and will have 30 days to prove it is not boycotting energy companies. Otherwise, the institution will remain on the list. The bill advances to finance.

Senate Bill 505 updates code relating to the licensure and regulation of money transmitters. The bill permits the Commissioner of Financial Institutions to participate in the multistate licensing and examination process and to conduct examinations. It updates network requirements to use a sliding scale. The bill also provides information requirements for a change in control and updates the change in the control process. The bill advances to Judiciary.

House bill 4394 reaffirms and enhances the workers’ compensation exclusive remedy rule or doctrine. The bill clarifies the liability of employers who do not maintain mandatory workers’ compensation coverage and when an employees’ injury is self-inflict or the result of intoxication. It provides that the employee may recover when the injury or death was caused by an employer’s deliberate intention.

The committee also considered and did not advance House Bill 4010.

House Bill 4010 would have provided a statutory framework for the treatment of digital assets. The bill set code to recognize virtual currents and prohibits the taxation of virtual currents by counties and municipalities. The bill also prohibited public utilities from charging fees or infringing upon the use of energy use of the mining of digital or virtual currency. The bill set the duties of the Secretary of State. The bill created the Digital Assets Act and Utility Token Act.

Opponents stated the bill’s subject should have been considered and discussed in interims to gain more knowledge about the subject before presenting it to the body.

House Health Advances Embie’s Law

House Committee

Cheyenne DeBolt

-

February 15, 2022

0

The Health and Human Resources Committee met this afternoon and advanced several bills.

House Bill 4348 amends the eligibility requirement for a pharmacy technicians’ trainee to be at least 16 years old and enrolled in school. It also allows for a trainee to be employed for 90 days before being registered with the pharmacy board.

House Bill 4585 removes a dispensing prohibition that is related to controlled substance monitoring.

House Bill 4649 transfers the WV Children’s Health Insurance Program to the Bureau for Medical Services and moves the policymaking authority from a board of directors to the program director.

House Bill 2798, Embie’s Law, adds mucopolysaccharidosis type 1 (MPS1) to the tests for newborns. The bill advaces to the floor.

House Bill 4631 establishes a bone marrow and peripheral blood stem donation awareness program. The bill directs DHHR to create a website resource to inform and promote donation awareness.

An originating bill reorganizes DHHR. Proponents believe reorganizing would make the workload more manageable for the department. Opponents believe reorganization needs more time and studies done to best determine how to reorganize. Both understand the timeline of four months may be too tight. However, the proponents believe it can be amended with more discussion. The bill advances to Finance.

House Bill 4377 updates the involuntary commitment process. The mental hygiene commissioner would decide transportation to the diversion facility. The bill advances to Judiciary.

House Completes Agenda in Evening Session

House Floor Session

Cheyenne DeBolt

-

February 15, 2022

0

House Completes Agenda in Evening Session

The House reconvened at 4:30 p.m. to continue with today’s agenda.

House Bill 4005 was amended and passed. The bill prohibits the sale, transfer, and transportation of fetal body parts from an induced abortion.

Action on House Bill 4008 was postponed one day.

House Bill 4307 increases the amounts of payable benefits for victims’ travel and relocation expenses and mental health counseling for secondary victims. The amounts have not been changed in over 15 years.

House Bill 4484 declares certain claims against agencies of the state to be moral obligations of the state and directs the Auditor to issues warrants for the payments.

Ten bills were on second reading today, no amendments were offered.

The House is adjourned until 11 a.m. Wednesday, February 16, 2022.

Committees – Today

The Committee on Health and Human Resources will meet at 5:15 p.m. in Room 215E.

The Political Subdivision Committee will meet at 6 p.m. in Room 410.

Committees – Wednesday, February 16, 2022

The Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources will meet at 8 a.m. in Room 215E.

The Committee on Banking and Insurance will meet at 9 a.m. in Room 460.

The Committee on Prevention and Treatment of Substance Abuse will meet at 9:30 a.m. in Room 434.

The Political Subdivision Committee will meet at 9:30 a.m. in Room 410.

The Workforce Development Committee will meet at 1 p.m. in Room 215E.

The Committee on Fire and EMS will meet at 1 p.m. in Room 434.

The Judiciary Committee will meet at 3 p.m. in Room 410.

The Committee on Government Organization will meet at 3 p.m. in Room 215E.

The Education Committee will meet at 3:30 p.m. in Room 434.

The Committee on Technology and Infrastructure will meet at 5 p.m. in Room 410.

Public Hearing – On Thursday, February 17, 2022, at 9 a.m. the Judiciary Committee will host a public hearing on House Bill 4394 – To reaffirm and enhance the workers’ compensation exclusive remedy rule or doctrine.

House Advances 15 Week Abortion Ban

House Floor Session

Cheyenne DeBolt

-

February 15, 2022

0

The House convened this morning for a length debate on House Bill 4004, passing it and House Bill 2598. The House recessed until 4 p.m. this evening and is expected to resume its agenda for the day.

House Bill 4004 bans abortions beyond fifteen weeks gestation, unless there is a medical emergency. The current state limit for abortions is 20 weeks. The only abortion provider in the state has a self-imposed limit of 16 weeks.

An amendment was offered to House Bill 4004 to exclude victims of rape and/or incest from this limit. It was rejected.

Proponents of the bill stated the belief that life begins at conception, regardless of the circumstances of the conception. The limit of 15 weeks was chosen because it’s when fetuses begin to feel pain, hear, and see light.

Opponents of the bills stated concern for young girls being forced to carry to term after being the victim of rape. They also stated that some women may not even know they are pregnant until close to 15 weeks.

The bill passed the House 81-18 and advanced to the Senate.

The House also passed House Bill 2598, which eliminates the 3-year inspection by a registered engineer of above-ground storage tanks. It changes the inspection to a self-inspection every year by the operator of the storage facility.

The chairman stated that most of the storage tanks contain brine salt, but there is the possibility of other oil and gas residue being in them.

Opponents are concerned about the possibility of hydrocarbon benzine being in them. The opponents stated that compromises have been made to the Above Ground Storage Act and are afraid more compromises bust drinking water at risk. Proponents believe this bill will help modernize oil and gas. They also believe it will help small oil and gas companies.

The House is in recess until 4 p.m. this evening.

Committees – Today

The Committee on Energy and Manufacturing will meet at 2:30 p.m. in Room 410.

The Committee on Health and Human Resources will meet at 2:30 p.m. in Room 215E.

The Political Subdivision Committee will meet at 6 p.m. in Room 410.

Committees – Wednesday, February 16, 2022

The Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources will meet at 8 a.m. in Room 215E.

The Committee on Banking and Insurance will meet at 9 a.m. in Room 460.

The Committee on Prevention and Treatment of Substance Abuse will meet at 9:30 a.m. in Room 434.

The Workforce Development Committee will meet at 1 p.m. in Room 215E.

The Committee on Fire and EMS will meet at 1 p.m. in Room 434.

The Judiciary Committee will meet at 3 p.m. in Room 410.

The Committee on Government Organization will meet at 3 p.m. in Room 215E.

The Education Committee will meet at 3:30 p.m. in Room 434.

The Committee on Technology and Infrastructure will meet at 5 p.m. in Room 410.

Public Hearing – On Thursday, February 17, 2022, at 9 a.m. the Judiciary Committee will host a public hearing on House Bill 4394 – To reaffirm and enhance the workers’ compensation exclusive remedy rule or doctrine.