House Judiciary Wraps Up Afternoon Meeting

The Judiciary Committee met this morning and this afternoon to considered the following.

House Bill 3156 raises the compensation rates of panel attorneys. The bill also raises compensation rates for investigators.

House Bill 3146 creates the Model Public Meetings During Emergencies Act. The bill provides for virtual meetings.

House Bill 3270 amends the deliberate intent statute to limit noneconomic damages to $250,000. The bill removes occupational pneumoconiosis from compensable injuries under deliberate intent and requires the separation of non-meritorious claims to enhance speedy resolution and to cap attorney fees to the same amount allowable under the other portions of Chapter 23.

House Bill 3313 restrains county commissions from imposing rules and regulations on farmers beyond what is already prescribed through state statute.

House Bill 3500 permits regulated consumer lenders to permit employees to conduct certain business at locations other than the licensee’s designated office.

House Bill 3193 establishes requirements for an order for payment of medical monitoring expenses. The bill provides that an increased risk of disease is not a compensable basis for damages in any civil action. The bill provides that, where awarded, payment of medical monitoring expenses shall not be paid to a prevailing plaintiff until the procedure is completed. The bill requires that, where awarded, defendants pay medical monitoring expenses into a fund established by the court for that purpose. The bill provides for the return of any money remaining in the fund after medical monitoring is no longer required for the defendants. The bill was removed from the agenda to perfect amendments. It will be taken up another day. 

House Bill 3354 authorizes municipalities to combine operations with other municipalities and counties to provide governmental services.

House Bill 3405 changes the time period of a protective order extension to one year, reserving the judge’s ability to extend longer with an explanation of reasoning.

House Bill 2939 allows a municipality to file a lien for unpaid and delinquent refuse fees.

House Bill 3480 creates the WV Consumer Privacy Act of 2023. The bill prohibits credit reporting agencies from disclosing and/or selling personal financial information.