The House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee met today and referred eight bills out of the committee.
House Bill 2566 would create the WV Fresh Food Act. This act would require state institutions to buy at least 20% of their food from local producers. The bill was amended by the committee requiring 5% at first but adding 5% each year. The amendment also gives the Department of Agriculture rulemaking authority on the act. The bill was referred to the Committee on Finance with the recommendation that it pass.
House Bill 2553 would relate to an exemption from the consumer’s sales and service tax and use tax for sales of services and tangible personal property related to the activities of raising and training livestock. This bill was also amended to clear up some technical issues. The bill was referred to the Committee on Finance with the recommendation that it pass.
House Bill 2752 would relate to abuse and neglect of livestock. This would help to give more funds to take care of livestock seized from an abusive or neglectful owner. The bill was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary with the recommendation that it pass.
House Bill 2693 would relate to state ownership of wildlife. It cleans up code relating to the definition of wildlife in the West Virginia code. It was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary with the recommendation that it pass.
House Bill 2696 would relate to crossbow hunting. It cleans up code and is a mostly a technical bill. The bill was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary with the recommendation that it pass.
House Bill 2699 would make information about the Division of Natural Resources licensees exempt from the provision of the Freedom of Information Act. This would not exempt the information from law enforcement access. The bill was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary with the recommendation that it pass.
House Bill 2707 would relate to the collection, possession and sale of naturally shed deer antlers. This would allow this activity on privately owned land, public land, or private land with the owner’s written consent. The bill was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary with the recommendation that it pass.
House Bill 2708 would relate to a lawful method for a developmentally disabled person to purchase a base hunting license. They must attend an on-site hunter training course and if unable to take a written test, they must pass all other parts of the test in order to receive their license. They must also be shown to not be a danger to others or themselves by using a firearm. Hunting on private property still would not require a license. The committee amended the bill to correct some technical issues. Delegate Summers (R-Taylor) amended the bill so that the Secretary of DHHR would not have to get involved in the hunting process and only require a physician’s approval. The bill was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary with the recommendation that it pass.
