Blog – Page 92

Senate Passes Bill to Create West Virginia Jumpstart Savings Program

Senate Floor Session

Admin

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March 10, 2021

Senate Passes Bill to Create West Virginia Jumpstart Savings Program

The state Senate today passed House Bill 2001, which seeks to creating the West Virginia Jumpstart Savings Program. The bill, if signed into law, creates a new program where West Virginians can save and invest money to help cover the costs of pursuing a trade or occupation. The Senate made amendments to the bill which will have to be approved by the House before it completes legislative action.

Three other Senate bills on third reading on the Senate Calendar were also passed and now head to the House for their consideration.

The Senate is adjourned until tomorrow, March 11th, at 11 a.m.

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

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

Senate Adopts Resolution to Honor Patrolman Cassie Marie Johnson

Senate Floor Session

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March 10, 2021

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Senate Adopts Resolution to Honor Patrolman Cassie Marie Johnson

Members of the Senate took time to memorialize the life of Cassie Marie Johnson, a Charleston City Police Officer who was killed in the line of duty last year.

Senate Resolution 17, unanimously adopted, celebrated the life and professionalism of Officer Johnson and honored her sacrifice for the community she so loved.

House Judiciary Advances Five Bills

House Committee

Cheyenne DeBolt

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March 9, 2021

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The House Judiciary Committee met this evening and advanced five of the six bills discussed.

House Bill 2888 clarifies when contention is adjudicated, defines forensic scientific evidence, and provides that no additional liabilities are created.

House Bill 2688 allows county political executive committees to create building funds in the same manner as a party headquarters committee. This is already allowed at the state level. The bill extends it to the county level.

House Bill 2972 permits the manufacture of a limited amount of alcoholic liquor for personal use only and not for sale. This bill sets the amount at 100 gallons per calendar year for a household of two or more over the age of 21 or 50 gallons per calendar if only one person over 21 lives in the household.

House Bill 2379 increases the offense of criminal invasion of privacy by visual portrayal from a misdemeanor to a felony with a corresponding increase in the penalty.

House Bill 2776 creates the Air Ambulance Patient Protection Act to provide for protections for those who are patients of air ambulance. Under this bill, anyone who sells subscriptions to, accepts membership applications for, or charges fees for air ambulances must be licensed and regulated by the Offices of the Insurance Commissioner.

House Bill 2988 implements recommendations of the Legislative Auditor by establishing causes for revocation, cancellation, or suspension of a business registration certificate. The bill failed to advance out of committee.

FAFSA Bill Advances from Committee

House Committee

Cheyenne DeBolt

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March 9, 2021

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The House Education Committee met today and advanced three bills.

House Bill 2702 would require all public high school students to complete and submit a FAFSA document before graduation. To not submit a FAFSA, a waiver can be signed by the principal. The bill was amended to state that students who would not legally qualify for federal aid will not be required to complete FAFSA.

House Bill 2345 would require each county school board to employ at least one full-time school nurse.

House Bill 2785 provides for compulsory school attendance. It provides that the parent decides to remove a child from kindergarten. It also requires students must be enrolled in the same grade when transferring from another state.

Senate Passes Bill to License Needle Exchange Programs

Senate Floor Session

Christopher Marshall

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March 9, 2021

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Senate Passes Bill to License Needle Exchange Programs

The Senate passed a bill on Tuesday that would place certain restrictions on syringe exchange programs throughout the state.

Senate Bill 334 would establish a licensing program for harm reduction programs operating syringe exchanges. The legislation would require majority approval from county commissions to establish a program, as well as a mandatory a one-to-one exchange of needles. The bill also establishes procedures for license revocation should a program not meet these requirements.

The bill was amended on the floor to require the sheriff of a county establishing a syringe exchange program to provide a letter of support, with proponents believing that provision would create more buy-in and participation from law enforcement.

Supporters of the bill said the goal is to keep all of the public health benefits of these programs, such as a reduction in Hepatitis C and HIV cases, while reducing needle litter and any crime element that could become a part of the program.

Opponents believe these restrictions are too stringent and that no reasonable program could comply with these obligations. In effect, they believe the true goal is to end needle exchange programs in West Virginia.

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

The Senate is adjourned until tomorrow, March 10, at 11 a.m.

All meetings are available for streaming on the Legislature Live page.

Energy, Industry and Mining will meet at 2:30 p.m. in 208W.

Health and Human Resources will meet at 2:30 p.m. in 451M.

Education will meet at 3:30 p.m. in 451M.

Government Organization will meet at 3:30 p.m. in 208W.

Workforce will meet tomorrow at 10 a.m. in 208W.

Interstate Cooperation will meet tomorrow at 10 a.m. in 451M.

House Advances Bill Increasing School Building Authority’s Spending Discretion

House Floor Session

Cheyenne DeBolt

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March 9, 2021

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House Advances Bill Increasing School Building Authority’s Spending Discretion

The House met today and passed two bills.

House Bill 2906 increases the School Building Authority’s discretion for maintenance spending to 10 percent on multi-county vocation schools.

Senate Bill 270 allows the collection of the hotel occupancy tax by marketplace facilitators.

Of the seven bills on second reading, Senate Bill 216 and Senate Bill 277 were amended. Senate Bill 272 and House Bill 2674 advanced to third with the right to amend.

Committees

Today

The Committee on Government Organization will meet at 2 pm in Room 215E.
The Education Committee will meet at 2 pm in the House Chamber.
The Judiciary Committee will meet at 4 pm in Room 215E.
The Finance Committee will meet at 4 pm in the House Chamber.

Tomorrow

The Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources will meet at 8 am in Room 215E.
The Committee on Fire and EMS will meet tomorrow at 9 am in Room 215E.
The Committee on Banking and Insurance will meet tomorrow at 9 am in the House Chamber.
The Committee on Pensions and Retirement will meet at 10 am in Room 410E.
The Committee on Small Business, Entrepreneurship, and Economic Development will meet at 10 am in Room 215E.
The Rules Committee will meet at 10:45 am in Room 410M.
The Committee on Prevention and Treatment of Substance Abuse will meet at 1 pm in Room 215E.
The Committee on Political Subdivisions will meet at 1 pm in the House Chamber.
The Committee on Technology and Infrastructure will meet at 2 pm in the House Chamber.
The Committee on Veterans Affairs and Homeland Security will meet at 2 pm in 215E.
The Committee on Senior, Children, and Family Issues will meet at 3 pm in Room 215E.
The Workforce Development Committee will meet at 4 pm in the House Chamber.
The Sub Committee for Health and Human Resources will meet at 4 pm in Room 410M.

House Health Committee Advances Direct Health Care Agreements Bill

House Committee

Cheyenne DeBolt

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March 9, 2021

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House Health Committee Advances Direct Health Care Agreements Bill

The Committee on Health and Human Resources met today and advanced two bills and a resolution.

House Bill 2877 expands direct health care agreements to include more medical care services, such as physical therapy and chiropractic therapy.

House Bill 2965 requires PEIA, Medicaid, and other health insurance providers to cover treatment for pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections and pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome.

House Concurrent Resolution Blank requests the Department of Health and Human Resources continuously evaluate the child welfare system.

House Focuses on Children During Today’s Session

House Floor Session

Cheyenne DeBolt

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March 8, 2021

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House Focuses on Children During Today’s Session

Today, the House of Delegates passed ten bills to the Senate including House Bill 2335 and House Bill 2363.

House Bill 2335 increases the penalty for driving under the influence with a child in the vehicle. It also increases the penalty for the individual driving under the influence causing an accident resulting in the death of a child.

House Bill 2362, “Best Interest of the Child Protection Act of 2021,” establishes initial custody arrangements to be 50/50 between the parents. To change the 50/50 split, one parent must prove the other parent to be incompetent, neglectful, or abusive. The bill would allow for petitions to reopen already settled custody cases.

Opponents of the bill believe the 50/50 custody offers several issues, including loss of stability, insurance, and judge’s discretion. Proponents believe the 50/50 custody will allow children time with both parents and other siblings.

The House is adjourned until 11 am tomorrow, March 9, 2021.

Committees

Today

The Committee on Government Organization will meet at 1 pm in Room 215E.
The Education Committee will meet at 1:30 pm in the House Chamber.
The Finance Committee will meet at 4 pm in the House Chamber.
The Committee on Technology and Infrastructure will meet at 6 pm in the House Chamber.

Tomorrow

The Committee on Health and Human Resources will meet at 9 am in Room 215E.
The Committee on Energy and Manufacturing will meet at 9 am in the House Chamber.
The Rules Committee will meet at 10:45 in Room 410M.
The Committee on Government Organization will meet at 2 pm in Room 215E.

Senate Sends 12 Bills to House of Delegates

Senate Floor Session

Christopher Marshall

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March 8, 2021

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Senate Sends 12 Bills to House of Delegates

The Senate passed 12 bills during Monday’s floor session.

Senate bill 343 would authorize the DMV to process online driver’s license or identification card change of address.

Senate bill 429 would exempt the Division of Emergency Management from Purchasing Division requirements for certain contracts.

Also on Monday, the body adopted Senate Resolution 13, recognizing Benjamin Portaro, decorated US Army combat veteran and centenarian.

The Senate is adjourned until tomorrow, March 9, at 11 a.m.

As always, you can stream all committee meetings on our Legislature Live page. This afternoon’s meetings are as follows:

Natural Resources will meet at 1 p.m. in 208W.

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

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

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

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

Judiciary Committee Sends Bills to the House Floor

House Committee

Cheyenne DeBolt

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March 8, 2021

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Judiciary Committee Sends Bills to the House Floor

The Judiciary Committee met this morning and passed four bills to the House Floor.

House Bill 2400 is a rules bundle relating to the Division of Highways and traffic and safety rules.

House Bill 2682 changes the requirement of certified mail notification about continuing education requirements to insurance producers and insurance adjusters. It would allow the Insurance Commissioner to provide notification through e-mail or regular mail.

House Bill 2758, as amended, places the regulation of bail bondsmen under the Insurance Commissioner instead of the Supreme Court.

House Bill 2770 includes home confinement officers as law enforcement, which would allow them to carry weapons for protection when visiting homes.

The Committee is in recess and may return after the floor session.