The House convened this morning at 9 a.m. with a very busy calendar before them.
The Rules Committee met this morning, moving House Concurrent Resolution 92 to the floor. The Committee moved the following bills from the House Special Calendar to the House Calendar: House Bill 4089, House Bill 4482, Senate Bill 419, Senate Bill 499, House Bill 4623, and House Bill 4843.
During Senate messages, the rules were suspended, and Senate Bill 638 and Senate Bill 713 were the first time.
Sixteen bills passed during the session this morning, leaving 17 more to consider after the recess.
House Bill 4012 prohibits any state or local government office, department, agency, higher education institution, or hospital from requiring proof of COVID-19 vaccination as a condition of entry.
House Bill 4071 provides that public schools cannot mandate masks for students or employees nor mandate COVID-19 tests unless they have symptoms and quarantine unless they are positive. The bill provides that parents have the right to determine if their children wear a mask at school and school activities. The bill states that elected/public officials cannot override the provisions of the Act.
House Bill 4377 updates the involuntary hospitalization process. The bill updates the time limitations of commitment. The chief medical officer has 20 days to institute final commitment proceedings, or the patient shall be released. If the proceedings are not concluded 35 days from the filling of the Application for Involuntary Custody for Mental Health Examination, the patient shall be released. The bill also states that all law enforcement shall be involved in the commitment process, not just sheriffs. Transportation shall be provided to a commitment facility.
House Bill 4441 creates a Class M resident air rifle stamp and a Class MM nonresident air rifle stamp. The bill sets the caliber limits when hunting big game. The stamp will cost $8.
House Bill 4502 establishes the BUILD WV Act.
House Bill 4553 clarifies the application of zoning requirements to exempt wholesale generators. Several amendments were offered, only one was adopted. The amendment exempts wind power from the provisions of the bill.
The House is in recess until 1:30 p.m.
Committees – Today
The Rules Committee will meet at 1:15 p.m.
The Committee on Agriculture and Natural resources will meet after the adjournment of this afternoon’s floor session in Room 215E.
The Committee on Energy and Manufacturing will meet after the adjournment of this afternoon’s floor session in Room 410.
Public Hearings
The Energy Committee will host a public hearing on Senate Bill 650 – Eliminating number of royalty owners required for utilization by operator for lawful use and development by co-tenants on Friday, March 4, 2022 at 8 a.m.
