The House Finance Committee met Monday to consider four bills including three Senate supplemental appropriation bills, which were advanced to the House floor.
Senate Bill 444 would increase supplemental appropriations to the Department of Health and Human (DHHR) Resources Laboratory Services Fund by $885,554. It would also increase the supplemental appropriations to the DHHR’s West Virginia Birth-to-Three Fund by $885,554.
A slight technical amendment was passed through the House Finance committee, and the bill was advanced to the House floor.
Senate Bill 443 was another supplemental appropriations bill that was advanced by the committee. This bill would apply to federal block grants in terms of how the state of West Virginia uses them for DHHR’s provided mental health services, childcare, and other miscellaneous items.
Senate Bill 442 was another supplemental appropriations bill that involves the West Virginia Department of Revenue. This bill would allow the Insurance Commissioner to utilize federal block grant money. Senate Bill 442 was also advanced to the House floor.
Senate Bill 13 would restore $11 million to the purse funds for racetrack horses in the racing industry. This bill would restore money that was taken from the purse funds by the state in 2005 to help fund needed worker’s compensation cases.
Phil Reale of the Charles Town Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association spoke in favor of the bill.
“This bill would put money back that would unwind this injustice to these folks who have provided $11 million to the state longer than any other industry,” Reale said.
Senate Bill 13 ultimately passed through the committee with a slight technical amendment.
The House Finance Committee will convene again at 9 a.m. tomorrow in 460-M.
