The House passed three bills in their floor session this morning.
House Bill 2827 would update the all payor claims database.
House Bill 2840 would reorganize the departments, agencies and commissions within the executive branch of state government.
House Bill 2856 would declare public policy and legislative intent for improving the marketing, quality and frequency of passenger rail service of the Cardinal Passenger Train.
Delegate Folk (R-Berkeley) opposed the bill saying that in these times of economic uncertainty, the legislature should not be putting together new special revenue accounts to subsidize federally funded programs.
Delegate Fleischauer (D-Monongalia) said she supported the bill because other forms of transportation are already subsidized and trains are one of the least polluting, convenient, and most beautiful forms of travel.
The bill passed with a vote of 95-5.
There were two bills out of seven that were amended on second reading today.
Senate Bill 127 was amended by the Committee on Judiciary to repeal and replace some outdated rules.
House Bill 3061 was amended by Delegate Fast (R-Fayettee) to strike language in the bill about state oversight so as to not ruin the bill’s original intention.
Delegate Rowe (D-Kanawha) moved to reject House Bill 2524 which was on first reading. The movement was not adopted.
Delegate Hill (R-Nicholas) remarked, “I live in a district devastated by last year’s floods. Just under two dozen people died. Governor Tomblin lit the red beacon at the top of our capitol as a symbol that our state is coming together to stand behind those who were effected. It was a symbol of hope and all that is good within our people. And now Governor Justice is using it as a prop in his show of budget nonsense.”
Committees meeting today:
Judiciary at 1:30 p.m. in 410M.
Finance at 2:30 p.m. in 460M.
Government Organization at 2 p.m. in 215E.
Education at 2:30 p.m. in 434M. Will Resume at 6:30 p.m.
Committees meeting tomorrow:
Finance at 9 a.m. in 460M.
Education at 9 a.m. in 434M.
Rules at 10:45 a.m. behind the House Chamber.
The House is in recess until 5 p.m. tonight.
UPDATE:
The House met briefly to receive committee reports in order to prepare bills for the passage process tomorrow. Also more committee meetings were announced.
The House is adjourned until 11 a.m. tomorrow.
