Wednesday, September 10, 2025
Wednesday, September 10, 2025
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House Advances Lottery Legislation

Cheyenne DeBolt
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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

Christopher Marshall
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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

Christopher Marshall
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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)

Cheyenne DeBolt
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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)

Cheyenne DeBolt
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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.

House Legislation (2/25/21-03/04/21)

Cheyenne DeBolt
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House Legislation (2/25/21-03/04/21)

As of Friday, March 5, 2021, 914 bills have been introduced to the House. Of those bills, 35have passed and advanced to the Senate.

House Bill 2002 sets the framework to support, encourage and expedite broadband expansion in West Virginia. It codifies the Office of Broadband.

House Bill 2013 creates the Hope Scholarship Program, which provides funds to eligible recipients for personal education accounts to be used for qualifying education expenses, for example, private or homeschooling.

House Bill 2024 expands the use of telemedicine to all medical personnel.

House Bill 2025 provides liquor, wine and beer licensees with some new concepts developed during the State of Emergency utilizing new technology to provide more freedom to operate safely and responsibly. The bill allows for alcohol sales to begin at 6 am and the ability to offer sealed liquor drinks. The bill creates several new licensees including, permits for in-vehicle delivery. outdoor dining and outdoor street dining when authorized by a municipality for beer, wine and liquor, license for a private caterer to provide alcohol at a venue that is not license, private club license, private bar license, tennis club licenses, wedding venue or barn venue license and multi-vendor fair and festival license. The bill reclassifies hard cider as a wine, establishing a hard cider tax rate, and creates a new fund for the Agriculture Department to facilitate fruit production for use in hard cider.

House Bill 2093 allows WV veterans to utilize the services of medical foster homes approved by the US Department of Veteran’s Affairs. It also exempts caregivers from duplicative background examination requirements of the WV CARES program.

House Bill 2265 provide legislative rulemaking to the Board of Pharmacy concerning collaborative pharmacy practice.

House Bill 2267 allows county boards of education to establish an optional bus operator in residence program for school district.

House Bill 2290 creates a state “Employment First” policy that encourages agencies to facilitate employment of disabled person. The bill establishes a task force to initiate these policies.

House Bill 2529 prohibits state higher education institutions from requiring alternative testing submissions from private, nonpublic, or home-schooled students for enrollment.

House Bill 2616 eliminates the submission of a report to the Governor and the Legislature, but requires information be made available on the Office of Health Facility Licensure and Certification’s website.

House Bill 2791 requires county boards of education to permit students who are homeschooled or attending private schools to enroll at the county vocational school. The bill states no additional fees may be charged to the student other than those charged to the traditional student.

House Health Moves to Update CNA Credentials

Cheyenne DeBolt
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House Health Moves to Update CNA Credentials

The House Committee on Health and Human Resources met today, and several bills were discussed.

The Committee rejected a motion to report out an originating bill, which would have provided exemptions to private schools for immunizations.

House Bill 2776 creates the Air Ambulance Patient Protection Act. The bill advances to Judiciary. The bill advances to the Judiciary Committee.

House Bill 2674 updates the required credential for a certified nurse anesthetist who cooperates with a physician or dentist. It codifies current practice, which are in place under an executive order. The bill advances to the House.

House Bill 2598 changes the definition of an aboveground storage tank in the Aboveground Storage Act. The change would switch the inspection process from self-inspection and DEP inspections to inspections through the Oil and Gas Office, which is within the DEP.

House Advances Hope Scholarship Bill to Senate

Cheyenne DeBolt
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House Advances Hope Scholarship Bill to Senate

During today’s House Floor Session, the House amended and passed House Bill 2013.

House Bill 2013 creates the Hope Scholarship Program, which provides funds to eligible recipients for personal education accounts to be used for qualifying education expenses, for example, private or homeschooling. The scholarship funds could be used for tuition, textbooks, and other services.

The House also suspended the rules for Senate Bill 459. The bill was read for the first, second, and third times. Then it was voted on and passed.

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.

The House concurred with the Senate’s amendments to Senate Bill 11, which declares work stoppage by public employees to be unlawful.

Seven bills were on second reading. Of those bills, Senate Bill 358 advanced to third with amendments pending, House Bill 2257 was amended, and House Bill 2382 was recommitted to the Judiciary Committee.

Committees

Today

Tomorrow

Senate Completes Action on Bill to Check County Health Departments

Christopher Marshall
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Senate Completes Action on Bill to Check County Health Departments

The Senate concurred with technical changes the House of Delegates made, before completing action Thursday, on a bill that would check the authority of county health departments.

Senate Bill 12 would give 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.

Opponents of the bill point out that county commissions and city governments already have authority by virtue of appointing members to the boards of public health, with local officials also sitting on those boards. Supporters of the legislation believe that despite those checks, the public doesn’t have enough say in decisions, and as a remedy, wish to give ultimate authority to elected officials.

The legislation now heads to the Governor’s desk to await his signature.

Also on Thursday, the Senate adopted Senate Resolution 11, which designates Sexual Assault Awareness Day in West Virginia.

The Senate has adjourned until tomorrow, March 5, at 11 a.m.

This afternoon’s committees are listed below. As always, live streaming is available on the Legislature Live page.

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

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

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

Judiciary will meet at 3 p.m. today and 9 a.m. tomorrow in 208W.

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

Judiciary Advances Intermediate Appellate Court Bill to House Floor

Cheyenne DeBolt
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Judiciary Advances Intermediate Appellate Court Bill to House Floor

The House Judiciary Committee met today after a public hearing on Senate Bill 275.

Senate Bill 275 would create an Intermediate Appellate Court. It eliminates the Office of Judges and transfers the powers and duties of this office to the Intermediate Appellate Court. The court would only have appellate jurisdiction. Cases that would fall into this appellate jurisdiction include civil cases, family court, administrative appeals and workers compensation. The bill states the new court shall be created by July 1, 2022.

The House Committee Substitute for the bill was adopted. It does not have multi-district court. There would be one district and three judges would be appointed by the Governor to serve on staggering terms, initially.  After the initial appointment, the judges would be elected in staggering primary elections and would serve 10-year terms. To be eligible to be a judge for the Intermediate Appellate Court, one would have to be in good standing with the WV Bar Association, have 10 years of practice experience, and have lived in West Virginia for five years.

The Committee Substitute advances to the floor.

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