Friday, July 18, 2025
Friday, July 18, 2025
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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

Tomorrow

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

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

Tomorrow

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

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.

House Advances Lottery Legislation

Today, the House passed two bills relating to lottery in West Virginia.

Senate Bill 358 allows for ATMs to be in areas of the racetrack where video lottery games are played. This completed piece of legislation advances to the Governor.

House Bill 2507 removes limitations on advertising and promotional activities by limited video lottery retailers. The bill advances to the Senate.

House Bill 2257 and House Bill 2621 also advance to the Senate.

The House suspended the rules and read Senate Bill 345 for the first, second, and third time.

Senate Bill 345 expands the alcohol test and lock program to include offenders with drug-related offenses. The completed piece of legislation advances to the Governor.

The Committee on Government Organization will host a virtual public hearing at 3 pm in Room 215E on HCR 9– Urging Congress to Call a Convention of States to Limited Terms of Office of the US House of Representatives.

Monday’s Meetings

Senate Passes Law-Enforcement Training For Sexual Assault Cases

The Senate unanimously passed a bill Friday that would require training for law-enforcement officers responsible for investigating crimes of sexual assault.

Senate Bill 434 would require law-enforcement training to include standards and procedures for ongoing specialized, intensive, and integrative training during the investigation of sexual assault cases involving adult victims.

The Senate has adjourned until Monday, March 8, at 11 a.m.

Legislature Expands Charter Schools

The West Virginia Legislature has completed action on a bill that would increase the number of public charter schools in the state and allow the possibility for a couple of them to operate online.

“We are very excited to pass HB 2012 in the State Senate, which will create real opportunities for charter schools to be started in West Virginia,” said Senate Education Chairwoman Patricia Rucker (R – Jefferson, 16).

House Bill 2012 would increase the number of charter schools that could be approved in a three-year period in West Virginia from three to 10. The legislation also lays the groundwork for two virtual charters that would each be allowed to enroll up to 5 percent of the state’s student population. Added together, that could potentially amount to 10 percent of public school enrollment, roughly 26,000 students.

“The virtual charter school aspect of the bill is very forward thinking and innovative, Rucker said. “All West Virginia families deserve educational choices.”

However, opponents of the bill were concerned about a possible transfer of up to $196 million a year from existing public schools to the virtual charters if those enrollment thresholds are achieved.

“This is a great big experiment to which nobody knows what the answers are,” Senator Mike Romano (D – Harrison, 12) said. “We’re playing with anywhere from $200 million to $400 million of our tax dollars depending on enrollment in these various charter schools. That’s crazy.”

Other opponents argued that the move to install charters was driven almost solely by outside interests.

“What we’re not doing today is listening to our constituents,” said Delegate Sean Hornbuckle (D – Cabell, 16). “Across the state, there’s not a groundswell of constituents that have clamored for charter schools.”

Under this bill, charter schools would be part of the state’s public education system and would be given greater flexibility with the understanding that charters could be revoked from failing schools. The bill also requires an audit two years after the first public charter school begins operations.

“When a public charter school has mismanagement, doesn’t perform, it closes,” Rucker said.

Currently, only county school boards may authorize a charter school in West Virginia. This bill will give the West Virginia Professional Charter School Board authorization powers as well.

This legislation will also give applicants with a rejected charter proposal 30 days after the rejection date to appeal to the state Board of Education.

House Education Chairman Joe Ellington (R – Mercer, 27) emphasized that education is rarely a one-size- fits-all endeavor, and this legislation is simply intended to provide options and flexibility for those that believe their children could thrive in a different setting.

“We’re a diverse state. We have different geographic regions that have different needs,” Ellington said. “This just gives opportunity. If people don’t want to take advantage of that opportunity, they don’t have to. It’s strictly voluntary.”

Currently, there are no charter schools in West Virginia with just one application submitted. In December, the boards of education in Monongalia and Preston counties rejected an application for a charter school by the West Virginia Academy.

Completed Legislation (2/24/21-3/4/21)

Senate Bill 11 declares it illegal for public employees to strike or participate in a work stoppage.

Senate Bill 12 gives county commissioners and city government officials overriding power with regard to rules or amendments to rules created by local boards of health, except in instances of health emergencies. In those instances, county and city governments would have 30 days to approve or reject emergency rules once issued.

Senate Bill 14 provides for the opportunity for alternative certifications for teachers.

Senate Bill 459 allows for contributions paid by a member into a retirement plan to be returned to the member’s heirs after the member’s death under certain circumstances.

House Bill 2012 modifies public charter schools.

House Bill 2019 elevates the Development Office and the Tourism Office to the Department of Economic Development and the Department of Tourism, respectively.

House Bill 2262 changes who shall report and review the controlled substance monitoring database.

House Bill 2358 updates the meaning adjusted gross income and certain other terms used within the West Virginia Personal Income Tax Act.

House Bill 2359 updates the meaning of “federal taxable income” and other terms used in the West Virginia Corporation Net Income Tax Act by bringing them into conformity with their meaning for Internal Revenue Code definitions.

Senate Legislation (2/25/21-3/4/21)

As of Friday, March 5, 2021, 560 bills have been introduced to the Senate. Of those bills, 57 have passed and advanced to the House.

Senate Bill 5 encourages the efficient settlement of legal claims arising out of the West Virginia Consumer Credit and Protection Act.

Senate Bill 16 provides continued eligibility for developmental disability services to dependents of military members.

Senate Bill 53 provides that a person criminally responsible for another’s death may not be involved in burial arrangements.

Senate Bill 80 allows the administration of small estates (under $50,000 in personal property and under $100,000 real property) by affidavit and without appointment of a personal representative.

Senate Bill 102 gives disabled veterans who earned the Purple Heart free parking at any metered spaces within a municipality in West Virginia.

Senate Bill 160 authorizes the Alcohol Beverage Control Commission to make legislative rules relating to private club licensing.

Senate Bill 248 requires the DHHR to collaborate with the Workforce Development Board and the West Virginia Division of Personnel for purposes of job placement.

Senate Bill 263 enables charitable organizations to conduct online raffles to raise funds for their causes.

Senate Bill 308 modifies requirements that racetrack participate in WV Thoroughbred Development Fund by certain date.

Senate Bill 311 relates to acquisition and disposition of property by urban development authority.

Senate Bill 321 updates language regarding Fairmont State alumni license plates.

Senate Bill 332 provides a procedure for West Virginia to select delegates to an Article V Convention for proposing amendments to the Constitution of the United States.

Senate Bill 338 creates Fire Service Equipment and Training Fund.

Senate Bill 345 expands the alcohol test and lock program to include offenders with drug-related offenses.

Senate Bill 356 allows the written part of the driver’s license examination to be given in school driver education courses.

Senate Bill 358 allows for ATMs to be located in areas where racetrack video lottery machines are located.

Senate Bill 359 informs landowners when fencing that may contain livestock is damaged due to accident.

Senate Bill 374 increases the threshold bid requirement for the Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation to $10,000 to be consistent with other state agencies.

Senate Bill 377 extends the deadline by which a water utility company and public service district must provide boiled water advisories through a text or voice alert mass notification system.

Senate Bill 387 extends the sunset provision of the pilot program that drug screens applicants for cash assistance until December 31, 2022. It would also give The Secretary of DHHR discretion as to how long it lasts after that date.

Senate Bill 389 clarifies that the State Resiliency Board is responsible to plan for emergency and disaster response, recovery and resiliency.

Senate Bill 392 adds the potential penalty of incarceration to any conviction for the impersonation of a law-enforcement officer.