The House of Delegates Convened today.
Majority Leader Daryl Cowles (R-Morgan) addressed the House to explain what would be happening today regarding SB 386. He explained that the bill would be moved to the foot of the calendar and the House would recess at that time and Caucus. He said there are two strike and inserts, which would be explained when House reconvened.
He also moved to advance HB 2801 and HB 3103 to be read for the first time. Then moved to suspend the rules to read a second time and take them up for passage. They both passed.
HB 2801 is a supplemental appropriation bill to expire funds from the Revenue Shortfall Reserve Funds to balance FY17.
HB 3103 would a supplemental appropriation bill to expire funds from the Revenue Shortfall Reserve Funds to balance FY17 for the Department of Health and Human Resources.
There were 12 bills on third reading; 11 passed and action was postponed one day on SB 239.
SB 172 would eliminate the salary for members of the West Virginia Water Development Board. The bill passed 96-3.
SB 173 would create a new category in code under vehicles for autocycles. It sets exemptions for them. Autocycles only require a valid driver’s license to operate. Safety equipment is different for autocycles; no helmet is required because it would be more dangerous to have a helmet on in the enclosed vehicle. The bill passed 94-5.
SB 230 would require all law-enforcement agencies in this state to certify qualified law-enforcement officers to carry concealed firearms nationwide as provided by the federal Law-Enforcement Officers Safety Act; It would also provide authority necessary to give prosecuting attorneys and assistant prosecuting attorneys the option to carry firearms for self-defense pursuant to that federal act upon completion of required training and annual background check and to require law-enforcement agencies to provide qualified retired law-enforcement officers the opportunity to be certified to carry concealed firearms nationwide. The bill passed 98-1.
SB 554 would create the crime of false swearing in a legislative proceeding and penalties for violators. It would make it a misdemeanor with a fine no more than $1,000 and no more than one year in jail.
There were 30 bills on second reading and action was delayed on SB 4, SB 412, SB 499, and SB 561.
SB 186 would change date upon which children become eligible for certain school programs and school attendance requirements. It changes the requirement for Kindergarten to age five prior to July 1. It changes requirement for Pre-K to age four before July 1. It changes the age for compulsory attendance begins to those who are six before July 1, of each year.
SB 588 would create a stable funding source for each county assessor to maintain and update paper and digital tax maps and would promote the sale and distribution of the paper and digital tax maps for the benefit of the public.
Committee Meetings Today
Finance: 15 minutes after evening floor session in 460M
Judiciary: 15 minutes after evening floor session in 410M
Education: 15 minutes after evening floor session in 434M
Roads and Transportation: Cancelled for now, time TBD
Committee Meetings Tomorrow
Health and Human Resources: 9 a.m. in 215E
Education: 9:30 a.m. in 434M
Judiciary: 10 a.m. in 410M
Energy: 2 p.m. in 410M
The House is in recess until 3 p.m.
