The House of Delegates convened Monday for the 13th day of the Regular Legislative Session, passing two bills.
The House passed Committee Substitute for House Bill 2190, which would modify bail requirements. This would allow for the release of people with certain misdemeanors, providing that they appear in court on their allotted date.
“On average, these people with nonviolent misdemeanors are held on an average of six days,” said Delegate John Shott, R-Mercer, a lead sponsor of the bill. “This greatly impacts their ability to hold onto their jobs.”
The House also passed House Bill 2311, which would stop requiring full year reportage of short term merchant licensees. Currently, statute requires that those who receive a short term license for selling goods temporarily within the state have to report those taxes throughout the entire year. This bill would only require them to report those expenses until the fees are paid off.
Bills introduced Monday included House Bill 2532, a bill that would allow West Virginia citizens to make $3, $5, or $10 donations to the West Virginia 4-H Foundation, the West Virginia Farm Bureau Foundation, and/or the West Virginia Future Farmers of America Educational Foundation when they renew their driver’s licenses.
Two bills on second reading were postponed one day – House Bill 2008, relating to nonpartisan election of state Supreme Court justices, and House Bill 2193, which provides a specific escheat of U.S. savings bonds.
Bills advanced to the amendment stage were: House Bill 2195, which would create a sentencing commission within the state, and House Bill 2423, which would prohibit sex offenders from being in a supervisory position over children within the state.
The House will convene again tomorrow at 11 a.m. on Jan. 22 for the 14th day of the regular session.
Committees Meeting Today:
House Committee on Technology and Infrastructure will meet at 1 p.m. in 215-E.
House Education Committee will meet at 2 p.m. in 432-M.
House Finance Committee will meet at 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. in 460-M for budget presentations.
House Judiciary Committee will meet at 2 p.m. in 410-M.
House Committee on Fire Departments and Emergency Medical Services will meet at 4 p.m. in 215-E.
Committees Meeting Before Floor Session Tomorrow:
There were be a public hearing regarding House Bill 2010, relating to foster care, from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. in the House Chamber.
House Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources will meet at 8:30 a.m. in 215-E.
House Committee on Industry and Labor will meet at 10 a.m. in 215-E.
The House Rules Committee will meet at 10:45 a.m. behind the House Chamber.
