The House of Delegates convened at 11 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 18 for the 41st day of the regular legislative session. On this day, the House passed three bills on third reading and adopted a resolution to memorialize Mary Pearl Compton, a former Delegate.
The late Mary Pearl Compton was honored by the reading of House Resolution 15. This resolution was adopted and presented to Compton’s family. Compton was a former member of the House of Delegates, a teacher in Monroe and Greenbrier counties, and an active community member. She was honored for being an advocate for her community, as well as a dedicated public servant.
Three bills on third reading were passed on this day in the House. House Bill 2768 was passed unanimously. This bill would make technical changes to the 2018 Opioid Reduction Act passed by the WV Legislature last year, as well as address inconsistencies with how therapy services in the state administer Schedule II opioid drugs. The bill would also ensure compliance with federal code.
House Bill 2834 was also passed in the House on this day. This bill would modernize the minimum spacing provisions for the drilling of state horizontal deep wells. The bill would impose limitations for what the Oil and Gas Conservation Commission can do as far as regulation of these horizontal oil and gas wells.
“We really want to maximize the recovery of natural oil and gas in the state,” Delegate Bill Anderson, R-Wood said.
House Bill 2849 would define the scope in which a nuclear pharmacy technician can operate. It defines the nuclear pharmacy technician’s certificate and specifies the duties each category of pharmacy technician is permitted to perform under supervision of a licensed pharmacist. This bill was also passed and advanced.
Senate Bill 377 was on second reading on this day, a bill that was postponed for two previous floor sessions.
A highly discussed amendment proposed by Delegate Chad Lovejoy, D-Cabell, ultimately failed on this day after heavy debate. The amendment would have required non-profit shelter shops serving severely disabled West Virginians to be paid minimum wage.
The Judiciary Committee amendment that served to clean up the language of Senate Bill 377 was passed, and the bill was advanced as amended.
All other bills on second reading, House Bill 2449, House Bill 2542, and House Bill 2947 were advanced without amendment.
The House of Delegates is in recess until 4 p.m. today, Monday, February 18.
House Committees Meeting After Floor Session Today:
- The House Committee on Finance will meet at 2 p.m. in 460-M.
- The House Committee on the Judiciary will meet at 2:30 p.m. in 418-M to continue their posted agenda.
- The House Committee on Education will meet at 2:30 p.m. in 434-M to continue their posted agenda.
House Committees Meeting Before Floor Session Tomorrow:
- The House Committee on Finance will meet at 9 a.m. tomorrow in 460-M.
- The House Committee on Education will meet at 9 a.m. tomorrow in 434-M.
- The House Committee on the Judiciary will meet at 9:30 a.m. tomorrow in 418-M.
