Six bills were up for passage in the House today. House Bill 4433 garnered debate. The bill adds the crime of human smuggling to the human trafficking law. The bill increases penalties for current offenses and requires restitution for victims.
Opponents of the bill fear it is constitutionally flawed and that, although there is some good in it, the bad outweighs the good.
Minority Leader Sean Hornbuckle said, “The bill is irrelevant to the everyday life of West Virginians,” as it does not address the issues citizens need addressed, such as jobs, utilities, healthcare, childcare, and education. He stated that he fears that this legislation will target West Virginians helping others, not those committing crimes.
Proponents of the bill stated that these are real issues in the country, as over 15,000 foreign nationals and 400,000 American citizens are trafficked annually. Judiciary Chair J.B. Akers said, “Every penny we spend addressing human trafficking, that a penny we can’t spend in our districts.”
Additionally, he stated that this bill is similar to one that passed last year. He stated that West Virginians providing help to people will not face criminal charges. The only way to be criminally charged is to knowingly help a person evade the law while knowing their immigration status.
The bill passed 81-9 and advances to the Senate.
Resolutions introduced can be found here.
Bills introduced can be found here.
Committee Meetings, Today, January 27
- Sub. Com. on Courts immediately following floor in Room 410M
- Sub. Com. on Local Government immediately following floor in Room 215E
- Sub. Com. on Agriculture, Commerce, and Tourism immediately following Local Gov. in Room 215E
- Health & Human Resources immediately following ACT in Room 215E
- Education at 2:30 p.m. in Room 432M
- Energy & Public Works at 5 p.m. in Room 410M
Committee Meetings, Tomorrow, January 28
- Finance at 9 a.m. in Room 460M
- Judiciary at 9 a.m. in Room 410M
- Sub. Com. on Legal Services at 9:45 a.m. in Room 410M
- Sub. Com. on Homeland Security at 10 a.m. in Room 410M
- Sub. Com. on Courts at 10:15 a.m. in Room 410M
- Government Organization at 1 p.m. in Room 215E
