House Judiciary and its subcommittees met this morning.
Judiciary
House Bill 4106 would allow constitutional carry for 18 to 20-year-olds.
House Bill 4405 would allow for the creation of a second public defender corporation when a public defender company hires six or more assistant public defenders, including the chief public defender. This bill is intended to improve availability and address conflicts of interest.
House Bill 4452 would remove Mortmain restrictions on religious organizations. This would allow churches and other religious organizations to hold more real estate.
House Bill 4999 would change the criminal and administrative penalties for assault or battery on athletic officials and participants, including, but not limited to, players, scorekeepers, coaches, referees, and school administrators. This bill gives discretion to courts to decide whether to fine someone or serve jail time.
House Bill 4568 would prohibit service of process in Family Court and civil actions on county property.
House Bill 4709 would recognize the West Virginia Legislature’s legal standing in court actions in the event of unauthorized changes to election laws and rules.
House Bill 4710 would increase the amount of time a candidate could switch parties before filing to run for office from 60 days to 180 days before an election.
House Bill 5025 would allow the burning of certain farm structures, provided the Department of Environmental Protection approves the burning.
House Bill 5166 would require a notice to be given to any political committee violating the filing requirements before assessing any civil fines. This bill would also give the Secretary of State authority to grant additional time for compliance, but not exceed an additional 14 days.
House Bill 5176 would create the animal abuse database within the West Virginia State Police. This database would include the names of individuals who have been convicted of, or who have entered a plea of guilt, or are in violation of animal cruelty codes. These codes include §19-20-24, §61-8-19, §61-8-19a, §61-8-19b, or §61-8-19c.
House Bill 5182 would allow the State Treasurer’s security personnel to carry concealed weapons while performing their official duties, upon approval from the State Treasurer.
Homeland Security
House Bill 5234 would prevent the absentee voters’ personal information from being displayed on the outside of an absentee ballot envelope sent through the mail. The information that was previously put on the outside of the envelope will now be kept inside the envelope.
Legal Services
House Bill 4990 would create the crime of gift card fraud. This bill provides definitions and penalties for the crime.
House Bill 5219 would provides residence definitions for voting registration and for election day. Under this bill, “a place shall be considered the residence of a person in which that person’s habitation is fixed, and to which, whenever that person is absent, that person has the intention of returning,” with exceptions defined in the bill.
House Bill 5228 would change the definition of electioneering. Under this bill, electioneering is now defined as “visible display or audible dissemination of information that advocates for or against any candidate or ballot question.”
In addition to the change of definition, this bill describes prohibited activities, permitting election officials and county employees to enforce election laws, and permitting said people to seek assistance from law enforcement. Prohibited activities include, but are not limited to, displaying a candidate’s likeness, logo, committee name, a ballot question’s number, or paraphernalia in support of a candidate.
This bill was advanced to markup and discussion.
House Bill 5273 would require county and municipal campaign finance activities to be published online within 48 hours of the deadline and require municipal candidates file their campaign finance reports with their respective County Clerk.
Courts
House Bill 4712 would establish Baylea’s Law, which increases the penalties for DUI causing death.
House Bill 5197 would make any action brought against the state and its agencies to set aside a sale or deed may be instituted within one year following the date of the sale. This shortened period applies only to claims against state and local governments.
House Bill 5214 would require parents with child abuse and/or child neglect claims against them to be drug tested before their children can be placed back into their care.
