The House of Delegates convened at 9 a.m. this morning.
The Rules Committee moved HB 2933 to the foot of the agenda and tabled HB 2776 and HB 3108.
There were 14 bills on 3rd reading, among those:
HB 2129 would state the legal right and authority of state or local law enforcement to enter public areas on or adjacent to any private club, or take other appropriate police action to enforce the underage drinking laws of this state. Currently, police cannot enter private clubs without proper search warrant; this bill changes it to enforce underage drinking laws.
The bill passed in the House 77-23 and now will be sent to the Senate for more consideration.
HB 2363 would require that a state employee with a commercial driver’s license have a current medical evaluation certification and applicable medical wavier. If the CDLs aren’t being used for public employment, then the bill wouldn’t apply to the driver, according to Judiciary Chairman John Shott (R-Mercer).
Delegate Mike Folk (R-Berkeley) said he understands the intent of the bill, but the plain language of the bill doesn’t make clear the intent. The intent is to ensure safety on the roads from commercial drivers. The bill passed the House 88-11 and will now be sent to the Senate for more consideration.
HB 3080 would institute a “Celebrate Freedom Week” and would require the study of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and other founding American historical documents during this week.
This bill sparked a lot of discussion among the delegates.
Delegate Robert Thompson (D-Wayne) said there are already standards and requirements for each grade to meet regarding civics, government, 9/11. Pearl Harbor and other events. He said we don’t need more regulations.
Delegate Pat McGeehan (R-Hancock) said “I love the intent, but it’s vaguely written. He preceded to discuss the different interpretations of the constitution and said he doesn’t trust the State Board of Education to choose which interpretation be presented to the students.
Delegate Frank Deem (R-Wood) said, “I believe in Nationalism and West Virginia. I believe in making us better at home,” as he stood in support of the bill.
Delegate Stephen Baldwin (D-Greenbrier) said, “This bill is to hand out participation trophies to students. I come from the participation trophy generation and guess what we don’t what them anymore. You can keep them,” as he stood against the bill.
The bill passed 97-3 and was sent to the Senate for more consideration.
HB 3102 would permit the Secretary of DHHR to sell Hopemont Hospital and its assets. It would require the transfer of residents and minimize its effects on the employees.
Delegate Terri Sypolt (R-Preston) stood in opposition to this bill, which would directly affect her district. Yesterday, she had offered an amendment to keep Hopemont on the property it is currently on for the purpose of rebuilding on the land.
Delegate Linda Longstreth (D-Marion) there was no plan in place for this selling. No one knows where the residents are going, where another facility will be build, etc. These plans should have been in place before the selling.
Delegate Bill Hamilton (R-Upshur) said he opposed the bill because he knows what’s coming. Although this isn’t his county, the hospital in his county could be the next one up for selling.
The bill passed 51-49.
Committee Meetings Today
Judiciary: 1:15 p.m. in 410M
Rules: 3:25 p.m. behind the House Chamber
Committee Meetings Tomorrow
Judiciary: 8:30 a.m. in 410M
Ag. and Nat. Resources: 8:30 a.m. in 215E
Gov. Org.: 9 a.m. in 215E
Small Business: 9 a.m. in 434M
Banking and Insurance: 10 a.m. in 215E
Rules: 10:45 a.m.
Health and Human Resources: 2 p.m. in 215E
Committee Meetings Friday
Judiciary: 8:30 a.m. in 410M
The House is in Recess until 3:30 p.m. today.
Update:
Action on HB 2933 was postponed one day.
There will be a Public Hearing tomorrow at 8:30 a.m. in the House Chamber on SB 239.
There will be a Public Hearing on March 31 at 8:30 a.m. on SB 212 in the House Chamber.
The House is adjourned until 11 a.m. tomorrow.
