In the House’s morning floor session, one bill was rejected, and twelve bills were passed.
Senate Bill 488 failed with a vote of 33 in favor and 65 opposed. The bill would have clarified electioneering by prohibiting (1) display of a candidate or candidate’s committee name, likeness, or logo; (2) display of a ballot question’s number, title, subject, or logo; (3) campaign-related buttons, clothing, writing utensils that contain electioneering information; (4) distribution of campaign literature, cards, or handbills containing electioneering information; (5) soliciting of signatures to any petition; and (6) soliciting of votes for or against a candidate or ballot question.
The bill would have also prohibited the use of cell phones within 100 feet of the entrance of a polling location. The bill would have banned photos and videos from being taken while voting.
During Rules this morning, Senate Bill 483 was moved to the inactive calendar. At the start of the floor session, Senate Bills 154, 299, and 474 were transferred to the food of the calendar.
A few of the bills which passed this morning were:
Senate Bill 280 requires the display of the U.S. motto, “In God We Trust,” in the main building of all West Virginia public K-12 schools and state institutions of higher education. The display must be acquired through private donations.
Senate Bill 531 expands the criminal penalties for assault and battery on an athletic official to include athletic participants. It authorizes the school entity to ban anyone convicted of such offenses for at least 365 days, with enforcement as a form of trespass.
Senate Bill 576 allows fixed odds betting on horse and dog racing in the state and allows betting on the sports wagering apps offered by the state’s casinos. The state’s 10% tax on the receipts from these races will be distributed to the racetracks, the Greyhound Breeder’s Fund, and the thoroughbred purse funds.
The House is in recess until 1:30 p.m.
