Saturday, April 11, 2026
Saturday, April 11, 2026
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Bill to Streamline DUI Charges Considered by Senate Judiciary

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The Senate Judiciary Committee is considering a bill for passage that would transfer decision-making to the courts instead of the Division of Motor Vehicles concerning license suspension and revocation in cases where an individual is charged with driving under the influence.

The bill, SB 212, would allow magistrates to make determinations concerning a driver’s license in accordance with certain procedures, and all within the context of the criminal action.

Committee counsel Jennifer Greenlief said the bill was created to “streamline the process by which DUI charges are handled,” by removing the burden of coordinating criminal and administrative proceedings for each case.

The DMV currently has a backlog of cases that Greenlief said could take 3-4 years to process due to continuances from schedule conflicts in cases.

Greenlief said the bill would “undoubtedly” save time in processing those cases.

The bill is identical to SB 534, which passed the Senate 24-10 last year and was sent by the House to be studied during the interim. No further action was taken with the bill after interim.

Prior to discussion of the bill, the committee approved SB 439 to be reported to the floor, which would clarify that because Salem Correctional Center lies in two counties, and the Courts of both Counties have expressed concern regarding venue, that venue shall lie in Harrison County for all actions. 

Four Bill Move through House Gov. Org.

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Today, House Gov. Org met and discussed four bills. All will be reported to floor with recommendation that they do pass; two bill will be referred to House Finance.

HB 2343 would require the State Police lease rather than buy vehicles, if its cost effective. The cars would be “wrapped” in state police colors. Wraps are a temporary paint job and could possibly be done at a cost between $500-$1,000; much cheaper than an actual paint job. 

“If the leasing was cheaper, State Police would have a new fleet,” Chairman Howell said. Because most leasing companies have vehicles no more than five years old. 

This bill will be reported to the floor to be referred to the Finance Committee for farther consideration.

HB 2475 would require the Auditor and other state, county, district or municipal officers to certify to the Tax Commissioner the identity of payees prior to issuance of payments, and authorize the Tax Commissioner to identify those payees who are not in good standing with the Tax Department and to require the Auditor or issuing officer to forward to the Tax Commissioner the lesser of the amount of tax interest and penalty owed or the remaining amount of payment. This bill requires the Auditor or issuing officer or agent to notify the vendor or contractor of the amount being withheld and requires payment be withheld until the vendor or contractor is in good standing. 

This does not apply to income tax; only other fees owed to the state. 

State Auditor John McCuskey said, “We will not hire new people, because the current staff is capable. We will not increase the cost to the state.”

This bill will be reported to the floor to be referred to the Finance Committee. 

HB 2502 would allow a licensed professional in another state to apply for licensure in West Virginia, if certain conditions are met. It would allow for the use of experience in work in another state to fulfill education requirements in certain occupations. 

This bill will be reported to the floor. 

HB 2630 would authorize the Board of Medicine and the Board of Osteopathic Medicine to share staff when it is efficient and practical to do so. 

The bill will be reported to the floor.

Amended SB 344 is Reported by Senate Banking and Insurance Committee

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The Senate Banking and Insurance Committee met today and reported SB 344 to the Committee on Judiciary with a recommendation that it pass.

Senate Bill 344 would specify that payments made on consumer credit sales and loans must be applied in order that they are due, otherwise there are penalties.

Senator Romano (D-Harrison) suggested the bill penalizes those who are trying to pay their minimum payments by allowing the late fee penalties to carry over.

Mr. Loren Allen, a presenter representing the Banking Commission. said the bill is well within the rights and obligations of the signers of the contract and is designed to punish chronic late payers and not those who have missed one payment, or are trying to meet their minimum payments.

Senator Romano then presented an amendment that would only penalize with late fees for the months where payments were late in order to prevent stacking. This amendment was defeated.

Senator Facemire (D-Braxton) suggested an amendment that would exempt credit cards from the bill, due to their fluctuation of minimum payments. This amendment was adopted. 

Senate Bill 344 as amended was then sent to the Committee on Judiciary with the recommendation that it pass.

Trapping ID, Regional Trail Systems Bills Approved in Senate Natural Resources

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The Senate Committee on Natural Resources has approved two bills to be reported to the full Senate with the recommendation that they pass.

SB 410 would allow a West Virginia Division of Natural Resources identification tag to be used to identify a trap, instead of just the name and address of the trapper.

Committee counsel Noelle Starek said the bill arose from a “constituent issue,” in which a citizen believed the ID could serve as an equivalent to a name and address.

Some committee members rose concerns regarding the length of the process it could take to contact the DNR in order to retrieve a trapper’s address and name, in case of an emergency involving the trap.

Memembers were reasurred by DNR Colonel Jerry Jenkins that the process would not take very long, as the DNR also has an extension with 9-1-1 emergency services.

SB 28 would allow three or more contiguous counties to create a regional recreation authority for off-highway vehicle trail riding and other recreational purposes.

The bill is modeled after an orginial law pertaining to the Hatfield-McCoy Regional Recreation Authority.

Starek said supporters of the bill claim it will “boost economic development and tourism” by providing more unique trail systems throughout the state and Appalachian region.

Each recreation area would have to span at least 10,000 acres and be self-sustaining, aside from devoted funds from county commissions or federal trail and recreation grants.

The bill will be referred to the Senate Committe on Government Organization once reported to the floor.

Four Bill Pass on House Floor

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Today, four bills passed in the House, five bills were on second reading and two bills were on first reading. Bills passed were 2001, 2028, 2359, and 2479.

HB 2001 modifies the ethics and purchasing laws to provide more transparency in the government. 

HB 2028  allows a plaintiff or petitioner to file a claim or petition against the state, a state officer, or a state agency in the circuit court of a county in which the plaintiff or petitioner resides or in which a claim arose, as well as in the Circuit Court of Kanawha County. 

HB 2359  aligns the criminal penalties of practicing osteopathic medicine with those of practicing allopathic medicine. 

HB 2479  adopts and implement the provisions of the Uniform Deployed Parents Custody and Visitation Act in West Virginia. 

Committee Meetings Today

Roads and Transportation: 1: 30 p.m. in 215E

Judiciary: 2 p.m. in 410M

Finance: 2 p.m. in 460M

Education: 2:30 p.m. in 434M

Gov. Org.: 3 p.m. in 215E

Committee Meetings Tomorrow

Ag. and Nat. Resources: 9 a.m. in 215E

Industry and Labor: 10 a.m. in 215E

Political Subdivision: 1 p.m. in 434M

Select Committee on Prevention and Treatment: 3:30 p.m. in 215E

Pensions and Retirement: 4 p.m. in 460M

The House is adjourned until 11 a.m. tomorrow. 

Six Bills Passed Today on Senate Floor

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The Senate met today and passed six bills to the House. The bills were SB 80, SB 164, SB 204, SB 231, SB 330, and SB 349.

Senate Bill 80 would equalize the criminal penalty for entering without breaking regardless of the time of day.

Senate Bill 164 would relate to traffic regulations and special load limits. This bill would make it more feasible for trucks to carry telephone poles and not need special permits to do so.

Senate Bill 204 would require persons appointed to fill vacancies by the Governor have the same qualifications for the vacated office.

Senate Bill 231 would relate to the State Board of Education and Medicaid-eligible children.

Senate Bill 330 would alter language in the West Virginia Workplace Freedom Act.

Senate Bill 349 would repeal outdated code relating to the division of corrections.

Bills on second reading were SB 9, SB 125, SB 214, SB 236, SB 321, and SB 426. SB 9 and SB 236 were laid over for one day and will stay on second reading.

Senate Resolution 22 was adopted which congratulated the Cabell Midland Golf Team on winning the 2016 Class AAA golf tournament.

Senate Resolution 23 was adopted which recognized Leadership Berkeley for its service, dedication, and commitment to Berkeley County.

Senate Bills 442-457 were introduced today.

Some senators had remarks today. Senator Mullins (R-Raleigh) said that he was disappointed in the Confirmations Committee and thy should stop trying to catch people up in “gotcha questions” but work in a bipartisan manner. Senator Trump (R-Morgan) defended Senate Bill 330. Senator Karnes (R-Upshur) said Nevada has switched from an income tax to a higher consumption tax and that they have grown much more than West Virginia has since they have done that. Senator Romano (D-Harrison) said the Senate should not be interjecting themselves into the third branch of government and Senate Bill 330 would do that.

The following committees meet today:

Finance at 3 p.m. in 451M.

Judiciary at 3 p.m. in 208W.

Banking and Insurance at 2 p.m. in 451M.

Natural Resources at 1 p.m. in 208W.

Tomorrow, Transportation and Infrastructure meets at 10 a.m. in 451M.

 

The Senate is adjourned until 11 a.m. tomorrow.

Five Bills Discussed in House Judiciary

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Today the Judiciary Committee met and discussed five bills.

HB 2329 would make it unlawful to product, manufacture, or possess fentanyl. This bill sets penalties for offenses.

HB 2367 would establish organized retail crime as a crime and establish penalties.

HB 2579 would increase the penalties for transportation of narcotics and certain controlled substances into the state.

HB 2526 would classify more drugs to Schedule I, II, IV, and V of controlled substances.

HB 2648 would increase the minimum sentence by three years for individuals convicted of manufacturing, delivering, or transporting controlled substances in the presence of a minor.

HB 2620 would create a central repository of drug overdose information in West Virginia. It establishes the program, purpose and a reporting system requirements. 

Senate Tax Reform Hears Presentations on Repealing Income Tax

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The Senate’s Select Committee on Tax Reform heard presentations from two major fiscal research organizations on a bill that would repeal the personal income tax in West Virginia.

The bill, SB 335, would also phase out the consumer sales and service tax and the use tax to create and enact a general consumption tax law.

Tax Foundation policy analyst Jared Walczak said the “very bold approach” of eliminating the income tax would increase productivity and migration into the state, as seen in other states that have enacted similar legislation.

“West Virginia has some disadvantages,” Walczak said. “The tax code needs to be more attractive.”

Walczak said a lower or nonexistent income tax in the state would make it much easier or more enticing for businesses to locate in the state, especially since West Virginia is closely located to several major cities including Pittsburgh, Columbus and Washington, D.C.

Executive director of the West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy, Ted Boettner, said the shift of revenue dependence onto a general consumption tax would most likely harm to low- and moderate-income families, while cutting costs for high-earning families.

Boettner said some low-income earners would have to pay up to $2,700 more in taxes each year if the bill were to pass.

Unlike the Tax Foundation’s findings, Boettner said his research showed that major cuts to income tax make “little difference” in stimulating state economies.

“I would make a strong argument that there wouldn’t be economic growth,” Boettner said.

Members of the committee are looking forward to developing the bill further to explore the possibilities it could present the state, as well as address issues the state would wish to avoid.

“It’s something big for this state,” Senator Glenn Jeffries (D-Putnam) said. “It’s huge.”

Nine states currently do not have an income tax. Many other states have lowered their income tax or are considering legislation to eliminate the tax.

The committee will examine the specifics of the committee substitute for the bill at the next meeting. The fiscal note will also be analyzed if available at that time.

Once approved by the comittee, the bill will be referred to the Senate Finance Committee.

Three Bills Pass the Senate Today

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Today the Senate passed three bills. Those bills were SB 41, SB 113, and SB 325.

Senate Bill 41 would extend the time a person may be subject to probation.

Senate Bill 113 would authorize the DEP to promulgate the legislative rules bundle in order to be consistent with federal standards.

Senate Bill 325 would relate to crossbow hunting.

Bills on Second reading were SB 9, SB 80, SB 164, SB 204, SB 231, SB 236, SB 330, and SB 349 with SB 9 and SB 236 being laid over one day.

Senate Bills 427-441 were introduced.

The following committees meet today:

The Select Committee on Tax Reform at 1:30 p.m. and 10 a.m. Monday in 451M.

 

The Senate is adjourned until Monday at 11 a.m.

Four Bills on Second Reading in House

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Committee Substitutes for HB 2001, HB 2028, HB 2359, and HB 2479 were read for the second time today.

HB 2001 would modify the ethics and purchasing laws to provide more transparency in government. 

HB 2028 would allow a plaintiff or petitioner to file a claim or petition against the state, a state officer, or state agency in the circuit court of a county in which the plaintiff or petitioner resides or which a claim arose as well as in the Circuit Court of Kanawha County. 

HB 2359 would align the criminal penalties of practicing osteopathic medicine with those of practicing allopathic medicine. 

HB 2479 would adopt and implement the provisions of the Uniform Deployed Parents Custody and Visitation Act in West Virginia. 

Committee Meetings Today

Judiciary: Continuing at 12:15 p.m. in 410M

Committee Meetings Monday, Feb. 27th 

Judiciary Public Hearing on HB 2506 at 8:30 a.m. in the House Chamber

Roads and Transportation: 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. in 215E

Finance: 2 p.m. in 460M

Gov. Org.: 2 p.m. in 215E

Education: 2:30 p.m. in 434M

 

The House is adjourned until 11 a.m. on Monday.

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