Sunday, August 17, 2025
Sunday, August 17, 2025
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Insulin Co-Pay Cap and Parkinson Registry Bills Advance from HHR Committee

The House Committee on Health and Human Resources met this afternoon. Four bills were on the agenda, but House Bill 4257 was removed at the start of the meeting. The chairman said it would be on the agenda another day.

House Bill 4288 expands the practice of acupuncturists by adding into code that the board can determine who is eligible to engage in the practice of acupuncture. The bill also removes the requirement of “good moral character” and adds being free of a felony conviction. The bill advances to the Government Organization Committee.

House Bill 4252 reduces the copay cap on insulin and adds coverage on devices. Devices include test strips, glucometer, continuous glucometer, lancet, lancing device, and insulin syringes. The bill 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 moves to the House.

House Bill 4276 permits West Virginia University to create a Parkinson’s disease registry. Similar registries exist in four other states and all are new. The registry would help identify the number of West Virginia’s living with Parkinson’s disease.  All patients will be notified of the registry. Patients who wish not to participate may opt-out in writing. The bill moves to the House.

House Bill to Increase Penalties for Fentanyl Exposure Moves to Second Reading

The House convened for Day 9 of the Legislative Session. Senate Bill 8 and House Bill 4067 were read for the second time and will be up for discussion and passage tomorrow.

Read for the first time were House Bills 2184, 2912, and 3303.

House Bill 2184 increases the criminal penalties for intentionally exposing a government representative including EMS personnel to fentanyl or any other harmful drug or chemical agent. The bill sets guidelines for misdemeanor exposure and felony exposure. A misdemeanor exposure is intentionally possessing and exposing a government representative. A misdemeanor conviction carries a fine of no more than $500 or confinement to jail for one month to one year. A felony exposure is intentionally possessing and exposing a government representative to fentanyl or other harmful drug or chemical agent in which the representative is physically harmed by such drug or agent. A felony conviction carries a fine of no more than $2,000 and/or imprisonment in a state correctional facility for two to five years.

House Bill 2972 permits the manufacture of up to 100 gallons of home manufactured liquor per calendar year in households with two or more persons over 21 years of age for personal or family use. If there is only one person over the age of 21, then the household may only manufacture 50 gallons for personal use. The liquor manufactured under this section of code may not be sold or offered for sale.

House Bill 3303 provides that no appointment may be made to an unfilled vacancy after a primary election.

The House is adjourned until 11 a.m. tomorrow, January 21, 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 the House Chamber.

The Finance Committee will continue budget hearings at 3 p.m. in Room 460.

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

Committees – Tomorrow, January 21, 2022

The Committee on Seniors, Children, and Family Issues will meet at 8 a.m. in the House Chamber.

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

The Finance Committee will continue budget hearings at 9 a.m. in Room 460.

 

Senate Passes Bill Relating to Appointment to Intermediate Court

The Senate passed  SB244 on Thursday, legislation that corrects a typo in a bill passed last year, relating to initial appointment of judges to Intermediate Court of Appeals. The bill now heads to the House of Delegates.

Also on Thursday, Senate Bill 253, relating to voting precincts and redistricting, was read a second time. Five bills were read a first time.

The Senate is adjourned until tomorrow, Jan. 21, at 9 a.m.

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.

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

Parent & Student Health Rights Act Advances to Judiciary

The House Education Committee met this afternoon. The committee’s agenda has four bills on it and all bills have advanced.

HJR 102 requires the state board of education to be subject to rule-making review. If passed the proposed amendment would be voted on in the 2022 general election. The resolution advances to the Judiciary Committee.

HB 4071 creates a Parent and Student Health Rights Act. The act states that public schools shall not impose a mandate on any student or employee or impose a testing or quarantining mandate if the student or employee is asymptomatic. The bill relates only to COVID-19. The bill advances to the Judiciary Committee.

House Bill 4074 requires schools to establish a program in public schools to provide training and awareness for school personnel and students on self-harm behavior and eating disorder awareness, prevention, and treatment resources. The bill, Megan’s Law, requires schools disseminate information relating to self-harm behavior and eating disorders to students to make them aware of resources available to them. The bill advances to the full House.

House Bill 4065 provides for regular classes in a hunter safety orientation program to be conducted in schools across the state.  The bill advances to the full House.

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

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

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

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

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

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.