The Senate met this morning, introducing bills 696-715, adopting resolutions 14, 23, and 24, and passing seven bills, including one that prohibits the acceptance of an absentee ballot that does not comply with West Virginia State requirements.
Senate Bill 61 would require that any person who knowingly and intentionally counts and includes an absentee ballot that does not comply with the bill’s legislation shall be guilty of a felony.
The standards under which a ballot would not count in an election, according to the bill, include:
* If the individual’s registration record is not accessible during the time of the election.
* If the individual’s poll book signature doesn’t correspond with their registration record.
* If the individual fails to present a valid identification document.
If an individual cast a ballot in the incorrect precinct, the ballot cast may not be counted for that election. Voters with a disability whose polling location is not accessible can use a different precinct and have their ballot counted.
Senate Bill 233 would require an individual to hold a current valid license issued by the Commissioner of Labor to administer a psychophysiological detection of deception examination, lie detector, or other similar examinations utilizing mechanical or electronic measures to evaluate truthfulness using physiological reactions.
The licensed individual must be at least 21 years of age, a U.S. Citizen, has not been convicted of a felony, has not been honorably discharged or released from an armed service of the United States, and have met any other qualifications necessary.
Senate Bill 506 would require the county commissioner of each county to authorize the lease, rent, or permit the usage of county-owned wireless towers.
County commissions may not impose a charge to local entities to use the tower space of they are a public safety operation, including 911, law enforcement management, ambulance, rescue, and firefighters.
These bills passed the full Senate and were reported to the House of Delegates for further consideration.
Afternoon Meetings:
Transportation and Infrastructure at 1 p.m. in Room 451M
Workforce at 1 p.m. in Room 208W
Pensions at 2 p.m. in Room 451M
Energy, Industry and Mining at 2 p.m. in Room 208W
Finance at 3 p.m. in Room 451M
Judiciary at 3 p.m. in Room 208W
Morning Meetings for Feb. 3:
Government Organization at 9:30 a.m. in Room 208W
Education at 9:30 a.m. in Room 451M
The Senate has adjourned until tomorrow, Feb. 3, at 11 a.m.
