Today, the House of Delegates adopted three resolutions.
House Resolution 6 reaffirms the support for the preservation of West Virginia’s historic buildings, coal camp buildings, and coal heritage sites in Thurmond, WV.
House Concurrent Resolution 24 requests a study of the school aid formula and how school aid funds are currently distributed.
House Concurrent Resolution 71 requests the Division of Highways place ten additional signs along highways entering WV to honor fallen veterans and Gold Star Families.
Twelve bills were passed, including:
Senate Bill 171 prohibits county commissions from adopting ordinances or rules regarding agriculture operations. The bill also revokes any current ordinance or rule regarding agriculture operations. The bill requires an at-large member of county enforcement agencies to have a background in or knowledge of agriculture operations.
Senate Bill 354 creates the West Virginia Advanced Energy and Economic Corridor Authority. The bill states the authority shall consist of 15 members including one representative from each of the economic development agencies of McDowell, Mercer, Mingo, Wayne, and Wyoming Counties; one representative from each of the planning and development councils for Region 1 and Region 2; a representative from the businesses and industries in the state, a representative from a utility company that provides service to the corridor, four private sector representatives from the technology, energy, advanced manufacturing, and aviation, aerospace or advanced air mobility sectors; and two at-large members from regions and counties along the corridor with knowledge and experience in local issues and economic development. Each member shall serve a five-year term. Members may be reappointed to additional terms. The chair, vice chair, and officers shall be elected annually by majority vote.
The powers of the authority include but are not limited to setting goals and objects with input from member counties and communities; maintaining an inclusive geographic focus on economic development; seeking out public-private partnerships; propose legislation relating to the corridor; seek governmental engagement for guidance on initiatives to achieve economic objective; develop a MOU with the Appalachian Regional Commission; develop economic and tourism asset portfolio for inclusion of authority’s vision; and apply for tax-exempt status.
When appropriate, the authority can acquire, own, hold, and dispose of property, lease property; mortgage its property; procure insurance, maintain sinking funds and reserves; contract for legal services; appoint officers, agents, and employees; make contracts; and accept gifts or grants.
The authority is required to prepare and submit a report to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance by December 1 of each year, beginning on December 1, 2024.
House Bill 5295 authorizes private outdoor designated areas (PODAs) to host multiple qualified permit holders at the same time. The bill allows for dual licensing of fairs and festivals at the same time as other PODAs. The bill allows for any Class A, Class B, or Class S2 license holder to apply and receive a Class S4 license to operate as a qualified permit holder within a PODA. The bill clarifies that qualified permit holders in a PODA do not share liability or responsibility. Municipalities determine if they want to allow PODAs to happen. If the municipality decides to allow PODA, the qualified permit holder (Class A, B, or S2) can then apply for an S4 license. Each entity participating must have its own liability insurance including the city.
Bills introduced today can be found here.
Resolutions introduced today can be found here.
The House is adjourned until tomorrow, February 14, 2023, at 11 a.m.
Committee Meetings, today Feb. 13
The Committee on Technology and Infrastructure will meet at 1:45 p.m. in Room 434.
The Committee on Energy and Manufacturing will meet at 2 p.m. in Room 460.
The Committee on Health and Human Resources will meet at 3 p.m. in Room 215E.
The Committee on Economic Development and Tourism will meet at 3 p.m. in Room 410.
Committee Meetings, tomorrow Feb. 14
The Committee on Artificial Intelligence will meet at 9 a.m. in Room 434.
The Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources will meet at 9:15 a.m. in Room 460.
The Committee on Workforce Development will meet at 10 a.m. in Room 410.
The Finance Committee will meet at 1 p.m. in Room 460 for Budget Hearings, a meeting to follow. Feb.
The Judiciary Committee will meet at 1 p.m. in Room 410.
The Education Committee will meet at 2 p.m. in Room 434.
The Committee on Government Organization will meet at 3 p.m. in Room 215E.
The Committee on Finance will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, February 14, 2023, at 8:45 a.m. in the House Chamber for House Bill 4850 – Removing the sunset clause from Oil and Gas Personal Property Tax.
