Today, the House of Delegates concurred with the Senate to complete legislative action on five bills.
House Bill 4376 requires a surgical smoke evacuation system in healthcare facilities. Surgical smoke is the by-product of using heat-generated surgical instruments. It can contain various health-damaging particles which can be inhaled. Any facility without an evacuation system for surgical smoke shall be penalized with a fine between $1,000 to $5,000. The Senate amended bill requires the Office of the Inspector General to propose legislative rules.
House Bill 4431 allows the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner to cremate unidentified remains after 30 days if any genetic material is preserved within the database. Identified, but unclaimed remains after 30 days may be placed in a cemetery for a final resting place, unless moved by family.
House Bill 4832 amends finance reporting requirements of the state superintendent to the Legislative Oversight Commission on Education Accountability. The bill also states any school district failing to report to the state superintendent can lose state funding.
House Bill 5549 authorizes the DMV to secure license plates from an alternative source if the Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation is unable to provide a six-month supply due to shortages of resources or labor.
House Bill 5347 establishes a program where emergency medical technicians for EMS can become certified paramedics after three years of service, with costs paid by the state.
Additionally, the House completed legislative action on ten bills, several of which were supplemental appropriations.
Senate Bill 700 allocates $10,000 to the Hospital Finance Authority Fund for personal services and employee benefits during FY24.
Senate Bill 703 allocates $750,000 to the WV State Police for personal services and employee benefits during FY24.
Senate Bill 707 allocates $41,345 to the DNR’s Nongame Fund for personal services and employee benefits during FY24.
Senate Bill 574 allocates to the Division of Highways $62,500,000 for Interstate Construction, $87,500,000 for other federal aid programs, and $125,000,000 for Appalachian programs during FY24.
Senate Bill 709 allocates $415,000 to the National Coal Heritage Area Authority for current expenses during FY24.
The action was postponed one day on Senate Bills 173, 701, and 653.
Senate Bills 152 and 292 were moved to the inactive House Calendar. Senate Bills 17 and 714 were moved to the active calendar on second reading. Several bills were amended on second reading today.
The House is in recess until 5 p.m.
The House returned to session to hear bills on first reading. Additional committee reports were received.
The House is adjourned until tomorrow, March 5, 2024, at 11 a.m.
Committee Meetings today, March 4Â
The Judiciary Committee will meet at 1:15 p.m. in Room 410.
The Finance Committee will meet at 1:15 p.m. in Room 460.Â
The Committee on Government Organization will meet at 1 p.m. in Room 215E.
The Education Committee will meet at 2 p.m. in Room 434.
Committee Meetings tomorrow, March 5
The Judiciary Committee will meet at 9:30 a.m. in Room 410.
The Committee on Health and Human Resources will meet at 9:30 a.m. in Room 215E.
The Rules Committee will meet at 10:45 a.m. behind the House Chamber
The Committee on Government Organization will meet at 1 p.m. in Room 215E.
The Committee on Energy and Manufacturing will meet at 1 p.m. in Room 460.
The Committee on Technology and Infrastructure will meet at 2 p.m. in Room 434.
The Committee on Economic Development and Tourism will meet at 3 p.m. in Room 410.
