Multiple House Bills on second reading were passed by the Senate following a suspension of Constitutional rules, Friday.
Of the 20 House Bills on second reading eight received amendments from the body. Following House Bill 2193’s adoption of an amendment, Majority Leader Sen. Tom Takubo, R-Kanawha, motioned for the bill to be advanced to third reading, ultimately leading to the bill’s passage by the body.
House Bill 2204, 2510, 2608, 2737, 2743, 2829, 2848, 2854, 3007, 3093 and 3140 were also advanced to third reading where each received passage by the body.
- House Bill 2204 would prohibit state licensing boards from hiring lobbyists
- House Bill 2608 would repeal the requirement of printing the date a consumer deposit account was opened on paper checks
- House Bill 2829 relating to the termination of severance taxes on limestone and sandstone
- House Bill 3007 would authorize the Commissioner of Agriculture to require background checks
Of the House Bills amended were: 2193, 2359, 2476, 2531, 2547, 2691, 2813 and 3140. Health and Human Resources Committee Chair, Sen. Michael Maroney, R-Marshall, motioned to lay over House Bills 2525 and 2530.
A message concerning House Bill 2519, commonly known as the campus self defense act, was received by the Senate.
The highly debated bill which received a 59-41 vote from the House of Delegates will now be double referenced to the Senate’s judiciary and finance committees. If passed, the bill would allow for conceal carry on the state’s college campuses.
The body also took up Senate Bill 150 for immediate consideration following it’s passage in Thursday’s finance committee. For more information concerning the Senate’s fiscal year 2020 budget click here.
Additionally, the Senate passed two resolutions prior to second reading. Senate Resolution 65 designated the month of March as American Red Cross Month; Senate Bill 66 congratulating the Greenbrier West High School wrestling team for winning the 2019 Class A state Championship.
The Senate is currently adjourned until Saturday, March 2 at 9 a.m.
The following committees will be meeting today:
- The Senate Education Committee will meet at 1:30 p.m. in 451M.
- The Senate Workforce Committee will meet 15 minutes following the Education meeting in 208W.
- The Senate Economic Development Committee will meet 20 minutes following the Workforce meeting in 208W.
