The Senate Judiciary Committee met Tuesday afternoon and advanced two bills regarding crimes against athletic officials and veteran-owned businesses.
House Bill 4999 would strengthen protections for athletic officials and participants and establish penalties for assault or battery against them.
The bill specifies that officials, referees, coaches, school administrators, and team members are all covered. It sets fines and jail terms, allows schools to ban offenders from events for at least a year, and treats violations as trespassing, while players are exempt from actions within the rules of the game.
The bill was reported to the full Senate with a recommendation of passage.
House Bill 5227 would update business reporting requirements in West Virginia, including annual and biennial report fees, late fees, and procedures for filing with the Secretary of State.
The bill would provide a four-year fee exemption for veteran and active-duty member-owned businesses, establish an official veteran-owned business logotype, allow fee waivers at certain entrepreneurship events, and ensure that delinquent filings can result in suspension or revocation of business registration until resolved.
The bill was reported to the full Senate with a recommendation of passage.
