The House of Delegates met today from 11 a.m. until approximately 3 p.m. Two bills were passed and go to the Senate for action.
House Bill 4005 – Repealing the prevailing hourly rate of wages requirements, was brought to a vote. Several members from both sides of the issue stood to advocate viewpoints.
The bill would repeal the prevailing wage bill which requires contractors that work on public projects, such as schools, civic centers, etc. be paid based upon a wage that is calculated to be typical for that work in that area. One side argues these wages are inaccurately high and by repealing the Prevailing Wage bill, taxpayers will save money, and the state will be able to fund many more projects because they don’t have to meet high pay standards. The other side argues that repealing the bill will only lower wages, and hurt the economy by lessening the amount of money going through it.
Prior to the vote, Delegate Isaac Sponaugle, D-Pendleton, proposed a motion that the Speaker be directed to request an economic impact statement regarding the potential outcomes of repealing the prevailing wage. He and his fellow supporters requested the study be done prior to carrying out a vote on the bill. The motion was rejected with a vote of 38 to 61.
The bill passed with a vote of 55 to 44.
House Bill 2130, which would include law enforcement among those professionals of which the assault or battery would lead to enhanced criminal penalties, was passed. Several members stood to express support or opposition of the bill, and many questions were asked to clarify the details of the bill. The bill would simply add law enforcement to the list of those with extra protection and would not change the previously set penalty limitations.
The bill passed by a vote of 91 to 7.
House Bills 4189, 4227, 4230, 4238 and 4241 were all sent to second reading. They will be open for amendments during tomorrows session.
The following committees will meet today:
Finance: 3:45
Judiciary: 4 p.m.
Education: 4:30 p.m.
The following committees will meet tomorrow morning prior to session:
Small Business: 9 a.m. in Room 215E
Banking and Insurance: 10 a.m. in Room 215E
The Judiciary Committee will be hosting two public hearings tomorrow morning. At 8:30 a.m. there will be a discussion on Senate Bill 1, the WV Workplace Freedom Act. At 9:30 a.m. there will be a discussion on House Bill 4012, the West Virginia Religious Freedom Restoration Act.
The House will reconvene at 11 a.m. tomorrow.
