The House reconvened shortly after 2 p.m. and continued with the day’s agenda. During the afternoon meeting, the House passed 15 more bills, completing action on seven of them.
Senate Bill 667 creates a physician assistant compact program, allowing physician assistants in participating states to practice in participating states regardless of their actual state of licensure.
Senate Bill 722 limits the Lottery Commission’s right to inspect records of limited video lottery permittee to the records in a permittee’s possession for only the limited video lottery business, not other businesses owned by the permittee.
Senate Bill 730 sets the commission rate for a county sheriff at a flat $15,000 and makes it a regular part of the budget and annual compensation of the sheriff.
Senate Bill 768 allows the Department of Human Services to report children who run away or are missing and be able to share confidential information relating to the child when they are not in the custody of the state. The bill brings the Department of Human Services into compliance with Title IV-E, the Federal Foster Care Program.
Senate Bill 834 increases the number of members on the Motor Vehicle Dealers Advisory Board from nine to ten. The bill adds an automobile auction representative to the board but requires the additional member to be a representative primarily salvage vehicles.
Senate Bill 614 provides that when an elementary teacher determines that the behavior of the student is violent, threatening, or intimidating toward staff or peers, creates an unsafe learning environment, or impedes other students’ ability to learn in a safe environment, the student is required to be placed in any behavioral intervention program the county has established, has partnered with another county board to establish, or has gained access to through an agreement with another county board to address such behaviors. The bill provides that students who demonstrate repeated behavior warranting their removal from the school setting will be out of the classroom for the end of the grading period as opposed to the end of the school year or the entire semester.
Senate Bill 624 adds a new requirement that county clerks must cancel a person’s voting record once the Secretary of State notifies the clerk that the person is no longer a West Virginia citizen and has obtained a driver’s license in another state, based on information provided by the Division of Motor Vehicles. The bill is effective January 1, 2025.
Senate Bill 755 provides safeguards when retail sellers engage in online delivery sales of tobacco products and electronic smoking device products via online certification.
Senate Bill 785 allows the Department of Human Services may provide the Foster Care Ombudsman the identity of a person who made a report of abuse or neglect related to a child fatality.
The House recessed until about 6:30 p.m.
When the House returned, the body received Senate messages and concurred to complete 16 more bills.
House Bill 4700 requires the Lottery Commission to propose rules for banning patrons from betting on sports.
House Bill 5514 enhances training requirements for county board of education members by increasing the number of hours required for training. The bill increases the compensation rate for meeting attendance and decreases the number of meetings members may be compensated.
House Bill 4837 synchs up the time for retention of records by financial institutions and the statute of limitations for bringing a cause of action to recover a deposit. The Senate amended bill also clarifies that actions to enforce obligations may not be maintained if the bank destroys or disposes of the relevant records for compliance.
House Bill 5435 creates a comprehensive registered apprenticeship to associate of applied science degree program to be known as the Skilled Trades Apprenticeship Nontraditional Degree (or STAND) program to provide apprentices or journey workers with the opportunity to obtain associate degrees in applied science while gaining practical skills and on-the-job training through federally recognized apprenticeship programs. The program will allow the eligible student to earn at least 15 credit hours of general education courses toward an associate of applied science degree.
House Bill 5232 clarifies that an employer may not terminate or take any other adverse action against an employee for lawfully possessing a firearm in a motor vehicle unless statements are made pertaining to unlawful purposes or terroristic threats
The House also refused to concur on House Bills 4812, 4786, 4867, and 4399. The House concurred with further amendments on House Bills 5405, 4305, and 4110.
The House is adjourned until tomorrow, March 9, 2024, at 9:30 a.m.
Committee Meetings tomorrow, March 9
The Rules Committee will meet at 9:15 a.m. behind the House Chamber.
