Today in the House of Delegates four bills were passed and nine bills were on 2nd reading.
SB 302 is a supplemental appropriation and it would supplement, amend, and increase appropriation for the Division of Human Service in the Department of Health and Human Resources for the designated spending unit for expenditure during the fiscal year 2017.
HB 2833 would describe specific categories of information that must be included in the annual report of each professional licensing authority established in Chapter 30 of the West Virginia Code.
HB 2898 would authorize the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to request and obtain criminal background information about prospective employees of the Legislature.
HB 2916 would authorize supervising entities to authorize reserve deputies, ambulance crew members, firefighters, rescue squad members and emergency service personnel to carry firearms. It specifies the training required for them to be eligible to carry a firearm and allows them to be reimbursed for the cost of the training.
Bills on second reading include: HB 2402, HB 2471, HB 2637, HB 2738, HB 2767, HB 2797, HB 2798, HB 2828, and HB 3030.
Remarks by members was full of commentary from members.
Delegate Espinosa (R-Jefferson) compared the “dark days” the Legislature is seeing to WVU basketball in 2012-2013. He spoke about how they were victorious this season and if the legislature makes plans to fix the problems and carries them out, they too can be victorious.
Delegate Marcum (D-Mingo) stood to comment on the lack of jobs bills coming through the legislature. He said unemployment is still declining in the state. He stated that his King Coal Highway bill would create jobs. He said the bill “would set a path for Southern West Virginia to prosperity.”
Delegate Hamrick (R-Harrison) stood to point out West Virginia has 13 four-year institutions, a large number in comparison to the state’s population. He states that Virginia only has eight four-year institutions and California only has two four-year institutions, with multiple campuses. He said it’s something no one wants to think about, but the state might want to look into downsizing in the future.
Committee Meetings Today
Judiciary: 12:45 p.m. in 410M
Finance: 2 p.m. in 460M
Education: 2:30 p.m. in 434M
Gov. Org.: 3 p.m. in 215E
Committee Meetings Tomorrow
Judiciary Sub-Committee on 2930: 8 a.m. in 410M
Judiciary: 9 a.m. in 410M
Rules: 10:45 a.m. behind House Chamber
Health and Human Resources: 2 p.m. in 215E
Judiciary Sub-Committee on 2986: 4 p.m. in 410M
The House is adjourned until 11 a.m. tomorrow.
