Blog – Page 79

Senate Advances Two Bills on WV Tourism Day

Senate Floor Session

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January 19, 2022

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Senate Advances Two Bills on WV Tourism Day

The Senate met briefly Wednesday, advancing two bills on West Virginia Tourism Day.

The body adopted SR9, designating January 19, 2022, as WV Tourism Day.

Senate Bill 244, which relates to procedures for initial appointment of judges to the Intermediate Court of Appeals, was amended to correct a typo in the bill. The legislation is scheduled for a vote by the full Senate tomorrow.

Senate Bill 253, which relates to voting precincts and redistricting was read a first time.

The body introduced Senate Bills 426-437.

The Senate is adjourned until tomorrow, Jan. 20 at 11 a.m.

Economic Development will meet at 1 p.m. in 208W.

Pensions will meet at 2 p.m. in 451M.

Finance will meet at 3 p.m. today and 9:30 a.m. tomorrow in 451M.

Judiciary will meet at 3 p.m. in 208W.

House Passes First Bills of Session

House Floor Session

Cheyenne DeBolt

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January 19, 2022

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The House passed its first two bills of the session today.

House Bill 4059 clarifies that all newly hired deputy commissioners within DHHR are in policy-making positions exempt from civil service.

House Bill 4060 removes outdated health code sections relating to Coalition for Diabetes Management, Coalition for Responsible Pain Management, and State Advisory Coalition on Palliative Care.

Senate Bill 8 and House Bill 4067 were read for the first time.

Senate Bill 8 makes updates and continues several state saving and investment programs including, the Savings and Investment Program Fulfillment Fund and WV College Prepaid Tuition and Savings Program Act.

House Bill 4067 makes certain agency reports electronic while removing the reporting from some agencies altogether.

The House is adjourned until 11 a.m. tomorrow, January 20, 2022.

Committees – Today

The Committee on Workforce Development will meet at 1 p.m. in House Chamber.

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

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

The Committee on Government Organization will meet at 3 p.m. in the House Chamber.

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

The Finance Committee will hear a budget hearing at 3 p.m. from Tourism Department and Supreme Court in Room 460.

Committees – Tomorrow, January 20, 2022

The Finance Committee will hear a budget hearing at 9 a.m. from the Department of Homeland Security in Room 460.

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

The Education Committee will meet at 3 p.m. in Room 434 for a budget presentation.

Delegates Work to Change Hunting/Fishing Licenses Renewal Date

House Committee

Cheyenne DeBolt

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January 19, 2022

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Delegates Work to Change Hunting/Fishing Licenses Renewal Date

The House Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources met today. A few bills that passed out of the committee:

House Bill 2775 changes the beginning and expiration of hunting and fishing licenses from the last day of the calendar year to the last day of the month in which the licensee was born.

House Bill 4048 clarifies that individuals may have loaded rifles and shotguns in their vehicles unless they are there for the purpose to take wildlife

House Bill 2759 provides a tax credit for 50% of the cost of a lifetime hunting, trapping and fishing license for disabled veterans who have been honorably discharged from the armed services.

Another bill, House Bill 4073 was discussed and will be amended and back on the agenda at another time. The bill currently would award a lifetime hunting and fishing license to all volunteer firefighters upon five years of service.

During the discussion, it was offered to bring the bill more in line with House Bill 2759 and provide a tax credit. It was also offered that Emergency Services personnel be added to the bill. These amendments will take time to craft, and the bill will be on the committee’s agenda again once the amended version is ready to be offered.

Bill to List Banks That Divest From Fossil Fuels Advances

Senate Committee

Christopher Marshall

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January 18, 2022

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Bill to List Banks That Divest From Fossil Fuels Advances

A bill that would authorize the State Treasurer to compile a list of banks with policies against investments in fossil fuel industries like coal or gas advanced from the Energy, Industry and Mining committee on Tuesday afternoon.

Senate Bill 262 uses the word “boycott” to describe the action taken by certain banks against the fossil fuel industry.

Presumably, State Treasurer Riley Moore would then use the list to ban those banks from contracts with the state. Moore, speaking in favor of the bill Tuesday, noted this would not apply to pension or other investment funds, but rather to more routine deposits of state cash. Moore noted that of the 30 banking institutions the state currently does business with, perhaps two could be impacted by this proposed legislation.

Moore also defended criticism against opponents of the bill that contend he will be picking winners and losers in a private sector, free market process.

“I contend they are already picking a loser,” Moore said. “I’m a market participant. What I’m doing is stating my preferences in this marketplace.”

Moore closed by stating his believe that this bill stands up for the coal mining industry and other important industries in West Virginia.

“We’re trying to stand up for our critical industries, which are obviously critical to our tax collections as it relates to severance tax, Moore said.” “We want to do business with the folks that want to do business with us.”

This bill advances to be considered by the Senate Finance committee.

Senate Adopts Rule of Order For Covid-19

Senate Floor Session

Christopher Marshall

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January 18, 2022

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Senate Adopts Rule of Order For Covid-19

The Senate adopted SR10, which establishes a special rule of order relating to the COVID-19 pandemic, during a brief floor session Tuesday.

The resolution spells out policies for proxy voting for members that have contracted or been exposed to Covid-19, as well as as policies for participating in committee meetings remotely if afflicted or exposed. This resolution is only in effect through the Second Regular Session of the 85th Legislature and can be altered by the Senate President at any time.

Senate Bill 244, relating to appointment of judges to Intermediate Court of Appeals, was laid over on second reading today. The bill relates to procedures for initial appointment of judges to the Intermediate Court of Appeals.

The body introduced Senate Bills 413-425 today.

The Senate is adjourned until tomorrow, Jan. 19, at 11 a.m.

Health and Human Resources will meet at 1 p.m. in 451M.

Energy, Industry and Mining will meet at 1 p.m. in 208W.

Education will meet at 2 p.m. in 451M.

Government Organization will meet at 2 p.m. in 208W.

Finance will meet at 3 p.m. in 451M.

Introduced Today: Bill Capping Insulin Copay

House Floor Session

Cheyenne DeBolt

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January 18, 2022

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Introduced Today: Bill Capping Insulin Copay

The bills and resolutions introduced today brings the House bill count to 1025 introduced in the past week.

Here is a topical breakdown of the House bills.

Most bills introduced today would give rule-making authority to various state agencies. However, House Bill 4252 is a bipartisan bill to reduce the copay cap on insulin and add coverage on devices. Devices include test strips, glucometer, continuous glucometer, lancet, lancing device, and insulin syringes.

House Bill 4252 caps a 30-day supply of a covered prescription insulin at $35 and adds coverage capping copays for devices at $100, regardless of quantity or type of prescription insulin used to fill the covered person’s prescription needs. The bill has been referred to the Committee on Health and Human Resources.

The House is adjourned until 11 a.m. tomorrow, January 19, 2022.

Committees – Today

The Committee on Health and Human Resources will meet at 2 p.m. in the House Chamber.

Committees- Tomorrow, January 18, 2022

The Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources will meet at 8 a.m. in Room 434.

The Finance Committee will hear a presentation on the Economic Outlook at 9 a.m. in Chamber

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

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

The Committee on Workforce Development will meet at 1 p.m. in House Chamber.

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

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

The Committee on Government Organization will meet at 3 p.m. in the House Chamber.

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

The Finance Committee will hear budget hearings at 3 p.m. from Tourism Department and Supreme Court in Room 460.

Bill Repealing Outdated Health Code Moves to Second Reading

House Floor Session

Cheyenne DeBolt

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January 17, 2022

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Bill Repealing Outdated Health Code Moves to Second Reading

The House met today introducing several bills and resolutions.

Today, two bills were on first reading.

House Bill 4059 clarifies that deputy commissioners at the DHHR are not eligible for classified exempt from civil service.

House Bill 4060 repeals outdates code sections including Article 5Z, Article 52, and Article 55.

Committees – Today

The Committee on Government Organization will meet at 1:30 p.m. in the House Chamber.

The Committee on Technology and Infrastructure will meet at 1:30 p.m. in room 434.

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

Public Hearing

Today at 3 p.m. in the House Chamber on HBs 4004 & 4005

Committees – Tomorrow, Jan 18

The Finance Committee will meet to hear budgets from the VA and BOSS at 9 a.m. in Room 460.

The Judiciary Committee will meet at 9 a.m. in room 410.

The House is adjourned until 11 a.m. tomorrow, January 18, 2022.

Senate Advances Intermediate Court Bill

Senate Floor Session

Christopher Marshall

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January 17, 2022

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Then Senate met briefly Monday morning, advancing Senate Bill 244 to second reading. The bill relates to procedures for initial appointment of judges to the Intermediate Court of Appeals. The bill will be on amendment stage tomorrow with a final vote in the Senate likely on Wednesday.

The body introduced bills 275-412.

The Senate is adjourned until tomorrow, Jan. 18, at 11 a.m.

Senate Finance will meet at 3 p.m. in 451M.

Senate Judiciary will meet at 3 p.m. in 208W

Senate Transportation and Infrastructure will meet tomorrow at 10 a.m. in 451M

House Announces Meetings for Monday

House Floor Session

Cheyenne DeBolt

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January 14, 2022

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The House met briefly today to introduce bills and resolutions.

The following Committee Meetings will take place Monday, January 17, 2022:

The Judiciary Committee will meet after the floor session in Room 410.

The Committee on Government Organization will meet after floor session in the House Chamber.

The Committee on Technology and Infrastructure will meet after floor session in Room 434.

The Committee on Veterans Affairs and Homeland Security will meet at 2 p.m. in Room 410.

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

A public hearing on House Bills 4004 and 4005 will be held at 3 p.m. on January 17 in the House Chamber.

Abortion Bill Discussed in First HHR Committee Meeting

House Committee

Cheyenne DeBolt

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January 13, 2022

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Abortion Bill Discussed in First HHR Committee Meeting

The Committee on Health and Human Resources met today passing four bills.

House Bills 4059 and 4060 have moved to the floor.

House Bill 4059 clarifies that deputy commissioners within the DHHR are not eligible for classified exempt service.

House Bill 4060 repeals outdated sections of code relating to State Coalition for Diabetes Management, Coalition for Responsible Pain Management, and State Advisory Coalition on Palliative Care. These coalitions have fulfilled their duties and are no longer in existence.

House Bills 4004 and 4005 will be referred to the Judiciary Committee.

House Bills 4004 prohibits abortions after 15 weeks. The bill does include a medical emergency exception, which is definite as “any condition which, in the reasonable medical judgment of the patient’s physician, so complicates the medical condition of a pregnant female to the necessitate the immediate termination of her pregnancy to avert her death or for which a delay will create service risk of substantial or irreversible physical impartment to bodily function.” The exception does not include the psychological or emotional condition of the patient.

House Bill 4005 prohibits the sale, transfer, and transportation of fetal body parts within the state of West Virginia. There is a federal law that prohibits the sale, transfer, or transportation of deal parts across state lines.

The Committee will host a public hearing on Monday, January 17, 2022 at 3 p.m. on House Bills 4004 and 4005.