Today is the halfway point of the 2025 Legislative Session. For Day 30, the House concurred with an amendment on one bill, postponed action on another, rejected one bill, and passed 8 bills, two of which completed legislative action.
The amended House Bill 2354 was received during Senate messages. The bill bans butylated hydroxyanisole, propylparaben, Blue No. 1, Blue No. 2, Green No. 3, Red No. 3, Red No. 40, Yellow No. 5, and Yellow No. 6 from foods sold in West Virginia. The Senate amendment makes the bill effective starting in 2028. The bill also bans the foods from being provided in school lunches beginning in August 2025. The House further amended the bill to state it does not apply to persons selling food in the state making less than $5,000 per month. House Bill 2354 heads back to the Senate for concurrence.
House Bill 2719 was rejected with 41 in favor and 54 opposed. The bill would have allowed membership organizations and domestic corporations to make political contributions of up to $250 if the business’s name, address, and type were disclosed. The bill also allowed for a corporation or membership organization contribution to be used for the debt of a candidate committee. However, with over half of the body opposing the bill, it will not move forward.
Senate Bill 443 and Senate Bill 462 completed legislative action. Both bills require boards to conduct criminal background checks for compact privileges of practice. Senate Bill 443 addresses the Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology. Senate Bill 462 addresses the Board of Occupational Therapy.
Senate Bill 291 extends the time frame for pharmacies to register with the Board of Pharmacy to biannually.
House Bill 2131 gives the Legislature legal standing against state officials or election officials who make unauthorized changes to election law.
House Bill 2164 allows public and private schools to employ school safety officers. SSOs are former law enforcement officers who maintain order and discipline, prevent crime, investigate violations of the policies, and reasonably detain any individual committing an offense that constitutes a breach of the peace. The bill does not give SSO arresting authority. They are expected to undergo training and are authorized to carry a firearm. The bill also includes the WV Guardian Program, which allows former law enforcement to contract independently with county boards of education to provide safety/security on school grounds.
House Bill 2165 allows disabled Purple Heart recipients to park for free at municipal metered parking. They must have the notation on their license plate.
House Bill 2387 repeals the class A1 Pistol stamp for hunting.
House Bill 2659 adds a special permit for a non-profit entity to be a qualified permit holder in a PODA.
House Bill 2043 was postponed one day.
Bills introduced can be found here.
The House is adjourned until 11 a.m. tomorrow, March 14, 2025.
Committee Meetings, Today March 13
- The Committee on Government Organization will meet at 1 p.m. in Room 215E.
- The Subcommittee on Educational Choice will meet at 1 p.m. in Room 432M.
- The Subcommittee on Higher Education will meet at 2 p.m. in Room 432M.
- The Subcommittee on Local Governments will meet at 2 p.m. in Room 215E.
- The Committee on Health and Human Resources will meet at 3 p.m. in Room 215E.
- The Subcommittee on Energy and Public Works will meet at 3 p.m. in Room 410.
- The Subcommittee on Banking and Insurance will meet at 3:30 p.m. in Room 460.
- The Subcommittee on Environment, Infrastructure, and Technology will meet immediately after EPW in Room 410.
Committee Meetings, tomorrow March 14
- The Appropriations Subcommittee will meet at 9 a.m. in Room 460.
- The Judiciary Committee will meet at 9 a.m. in Room 410.
- The Subcommittee on Courts will meet at 9:30 a.m. in Room 410.
- The Subcommittee on Legal Services will meet at 9:45 a.m. in Room 410.
- The Rules Committee will meet at 10:45 a.m. in the Speaker’s Conference Room
- The Subcommittee on Agriculture, Commerce, and Tourism will meet at 1 p.m. in Room 215E.
- The Subcommittee on Educational Choice will meet at 1 p.m. in Room 432M.
- The Subcommittee on Government Administration will meet at 2 p.m. in Room 215E
- The Committee on Education will meet at 2 p.m. in Room 432M.
