As of 4 p.m. Friday, February 16, 2018, the 38th day of the regular session of the 83rd legislature 583 bills have been introduced to the Senate. Of those bills, 114 have passed and have been sent on to the House for further consideration.

Senate Bill 36 would allow the State Police to outsource the DNA testing for criminal identification, sexual assault kits, case work and human remains to Marshall University Forensic Science Center.

Senate Bill 57 would require attorney source payment to be disclosed in certain hearings.

Senate Bill 272 would make changes to existing law regarding reporting of drug overdoses, creates an overdose response pilot project, and requires initial responders to carry an opioid antagonist.

Senate Bill 273 would create the Opioid Reduction Act. It will require physicians to counsel patients before they are prescribed opioids by explaining the risks and telling the patients that they are also allowed to request to not be prescribed opioids.

Senate Bill 288 would regulate cremation, embalming and directing of funeral service.

Senate Bill 290 would relate to Department of Environmental Protection standards of water quality and effluent limitations.

Senate Bill 321 would require the Public Land Corporation to remit the proceeds of public land sales and rents, royalties, and other payments from mineral leases, less any costs or fees incurred by the corporation, to the agency, institution, division, or department that was allocated or using the public land.

Senate Bill 341 would create the W. Va. Intermediate Court of Appeals. The Court would be made of two districts divided by county lines with three judges per district. The Court would have final say over cases regarding family court cases, circuit court civil cases, administrative agencies, and worker’s compensation on cases entered after June 30, 2019. The Judges in the court would be appointed by the Governor and approved by the Senate.

Senate Bill 347 would clarify and elaborate on existing requirements regarding motorboat numbering, lighting, fire extinguishers, engine bilges and flotation devices.

Senate Bill 348 would allow for the disposal of Natural Resources police officer and special Natural Resources Police officer service weapons when the weapons are replaced due to routine wear; and to change the designation of service weapon from revolver to weapon.

Senate Bill 355 would dissolve the Information Services and Communications Division and transfer its functions to the Office of Technology.

Senate Bill 358 would add a $25 fee in the Magistrate Court for Clerk’s office criminal bond processing.

Senate Bill 365 would continue the Young Entrepreneur Reinvestment Act, which waives the required payment of certain fees related to starting certain types of businesses when those businesses are started by an individual under the age of 30. The Act was originally given a sunset date of two years but would be continued under S.B. 365.

Senate Bill 368 would end the annual renewal of consumer credit, debit or other third-party payment accounts without the consumer’s express consent.

Senate Bill 370 would exempt unpaid volunteers at ski areas from workers compensation benefits.

Senate Bill 375 would replace the farmers market permit with the farmers market vendor permit, which costs $35 and is valid statewide for selling farm and food products and cottage foods. The permits would be registered with the Department of Agriculture which will be given authority to establish regulations permitting the sampling of certain farm and food products at farmers markets by vendors. The bill clarifies that local health departments retain authority to inspect and suspend food establishment permits, but not farmers markets as they fall under the Department of Agriculture.

Senate Bill 392 would reconfigure the Emergency Medical Services Advisory Board. The Board would now be made of one person representing emergency medical services training officers or representatives and two people representing emergency medical services supervisors or administrators.

Senate Bill 397 would criminalize misrepresenting oneself as disabled or misrepresenting that a non-service animal is, in fact, a service animal.

Senate Bill 407 would update definitions in chapter 49 of the Code and update the Code to match new requirements from the federal Child Care and Development Block Grant.

Senate Bill 408 would update the requirements for nursing homes and assisted living residences.

Senate Bill 411 would eliminate the position of the Commissioner of the Bureau for Public Health from the State Board of Sanitarians.

Senate Bill 427 would require the Secretary of State to provide a written notice – by certified mail – only to tax payers whose delinquency is over $1,000.

Senate Bill 433 would rewrite code sections regarding pyramid promotional schemes. The bill would add language redefining the terms “promote” and “pyramid promotional scheme” and adds more definitions to the section. The bill prohibits the establishment, promotion or operation of any pyramid promotional schemes as defined in the bill and sets forth requirements for recruiting literature, sales manuals and contracts. It also specifies inventory to which a bona fide inventory repurchase program is not required to apply.

Senate Bill 440 would create a new fund administered by the W. Va. Library Commission, the “Library Facilities Fund”. The Fund can be used “to support public library facilities construction, renovation, maintenance, and improvement projects” and to support energy savings and critical maintenance projects.

Senate Bill 441 would continue the tax rate for the health care provider tax on certain acute care hospitals, and require that any funds remaining in the Directed Payment Program after June 30, 2018 and all subsequent June 30, be transferred to the Medical Services Fund.

Senate Bill 446 would create the Agritourism Responsibility Act. It would authorize the Commissioner of Agriculture to devise means of advancing agritourism. The Act would require businesses to advise participants in advance of the inherent risk of activities, but the employees and volunteers of the business are not liable for injury or death of participants from the inherent risks. Businesses would also be allowed to use certain facilities for events without complying with building codes provided the facilities are deemed structurally sound and otherwise safe for the intended use.

Senate Bill 458 would prohibit political subdivisions from enacting regulations or legal requirements relating to employer-employee relationship.

Senate Bill 461 would extend the time to file petition for motor fuel excise tax refund.

Senate Bill 464 would change the date the State pays the annual increment to certain employees to “on or before July 31” of each year.

Senate Bill 468 would require the State Auditors annual report to be furnished to the Governor, Speaker of the House, and Senate President no later than February 1.

Senate Bill 469 would make the Addiction Treatment Pilot Program a permanent program.

Senate Bill 473 would require insurance providers to cover the cost of the prescription drug Varenicline, also known as Chantax.

Senate Bill 495 would designate specific insurance coverages exempt from rate filing requirements.

Senate Bill 498 would create a two-year pilot program allowing all-terrain or recreational vehicles in Cabwaylingo State Forest.

Senate Bill 524 would make technical corrections to §3-1-5.

Senate Bill 525 would transfer EMT licensure from its current place in Code to Miner’s Health, Safety and Training.