Wednesday, June 24, 2026
Wednesday, June 24, 2026
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HCR 36 Adopted by House

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The House of Delegates convened at 9 a.m. and finished business around 10 p.m. on Friday.

Only being one day away from the end of the 2016 session, the House calendar was lengthy to have final discussions on a total of 32 bills up for passage.

The first bill to pass was Senate Bill 107. This particular bill is also known as the Uniform Interstate Depositions and Discovery Act. Another bill voted to pass was Senate Bill 262, which would eliminate need for law enforcement to obtain court order prior to having access to inmate mail and phone recordings. 

After the passage of a few bills, there was an extended debate on the floor over Senate Bill 269, the budget bill, which eventually passed in the House and will now be communicated back to the Senate.

The House returned from recess to consider the rest of the bills on the calendar. The first bill to be discussed after recess was House Bill 4741 which would expire funds to the Division of Human Resources, Medical Services Trust Fund. House Bill 4742 then passed right after that in order to work to expire funds to the Division of Human Resources, Medical Services Trust Fund from various accounts. Both bills will now be sent to the Senate for further consideration.

Along with bills passed on third reading, Senate Bill 298, also known as the Brunch Bill, passed in the House which would allow restaurants, private clubs and wineries to sell alcoholic beverages on Sundays. The bill passed and will now be communicated to the Senate.

Among other bills passed were Senate Bill 339, 454, 504 and 517. Senate Bill 563 also passed which would work to increase retirement benefit multiplier for WV Emergency Medical Services Retirement System members.

Senate Bill 686 also passed in the House which would authorize local governing authorities hold sanctioned motor vehicle races on roads, street or airports under their jurisdiction.

House Bill 4017 was tabled, to be considered tomorrow.

A total of six bills were advanced to third reading.

When the House reconvened they took up and adopted HCR 36, which would allow for a constitutional convention of states regarding a balanced budget amendment. 

The House will reconvene at 10 a.m. Saturday.

Second Chance Driver’s License Act Completes Legislation

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The Senate met today at 11 a.m.

Nine Senate Bills; 54, 259, 202, 352, 468, 505, 625, 634 and 691 completed legislation this morning. Senate Bill 634 establishes the William R. Laird IV Second Chance Driver’s License Act. The purpose  is to create a program that will allow the DMV commissioner to temporarily hold a driver’s license suspension or revocation for the purpose of the applicant obtaining and maintaining employment. For those accepted, the individual must remain current in the repayment of unpaid court costs as a program requirement. These bills now await the Governor’s final approval.

The Senate concurred and passed with House amendments on Senate Bills 306, 311 and 524 and the bills will be sent to the Governor’s office once the House concurs with Senate passage. Senate Bill 306 permits the sale of county or district property online, Senate Bill 311 allows permanent exception for modification or refinancing loans under the Federal Making Home Affordable program, and Senate Bill 524 rewrites the Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists article.

32 House Bills were on the third reading in the Senate today. 27 of those bills passed, not including House Bills 4035, 4316, 4606 and 4655, which were laid over one day, retaining their places on the calendar. Once the House of Delegates concurs with Senate amendments, House Bills 2205, 4013, 4038, 4040, 4053, 4060, 4168, 4174, 4237, 4301, 43074314, 4316, 4317, 4323, 4435, 4461, 4463, 4537, 4554, 4575, 4578, 4586, 4594, 4618, 4728 and 4738 will await the Governor’s final approval to complete legislation. House Bill 4352, which relates to the selling of certain state owned health care facilities by the Secretary of the Department of Health & Human Resources, was rejected in the Senate with a 12-22 Y/N vote.

35 House Bills were on the second reading in the Senate and advanced to the third reading for tomorrow. House Bill 4243, which would extend the time that certain nonprofit community groups are exempt from the moratorium on creating new nursing home beds, was referred to the Committee on Rules on second reading.

 

The State Senate will reconvene for the final day of this legislative session tomorrow, Saturday March 12, at 10 a.m.

Senate Overrides Governor Veto on Senate Bill 10

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The Senate convened today at 11 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.

There were 18 bills read on third reading today.  One of those bills was the Budget BillSenate Bill 269 addresses the budgetary issues in West Virginia.  The bill, which is by request from the executive, would appropriate money necessary for the economical and efficient discharge of the duties and responsibilities of the state and its agencies during the fiscal year of 2017.

The remaining bills on third reading were:  House Bill 2494, 2826, 4014, 4080, 4265, 4334, 4351, 4360, 4365, 4411, 4487, 4502, 4507, 4517, 4519, 4636 and 4734House Bill 4014 would prevent the State Board of Education from implementing common core academic standards and assessments.  House Bill 4360 would increase the criminal penalty for the unlawful practice of law.  All of the bills on third reading were passed and communicated to the House for consideration.

The Senate had 31 bills on second reading today.  House Bill 2205 would create the crime of prohibited sexual contact by a psychotherapist.  House Bill 4307 would clarify that a firearm may be carried for self-defense in state parks, state forests and state recreational areas.  House Bill 4575 would create criminal offenses relating to money laundering.

Governor Tomblin vetoed Senate Bill 10 on March 9, 2016.  Senate Bill 10, the Unborn Child Protection from Dismemberment Abortion Act, would alter the procedure protocols for a type of medical procedure commonly used during second trimester pregnancies.  The Senate reviewed the veto today and voted to override the decision.  The bill was sent to the House for consideration.

There were a number of bills that completed legislation in the Senate today.  Those bills include:  Senate Bill 6, 43, 47, 195, 330, 338, 416, 494, 520, 573 and 627.

 

The following committees will meet tomorrow morning before session:

The Committee on Finance: 9 a.m. in 451M

 

The Senate will reconvene tomorrow morning at 10 a.m.

Mountaineer Challenge Academy Bill Passes House

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The House of Delegates met today at 9:30 a.m. to get a head start on the final day for bills to be advanced to second reading. 

Two interns that have worked this session, graced the members with a speech, summing up their experiences here at the Capitol this session.  

Seventeen bills passed the House today, and among those 8 completed legislation. SB 384 would require the Bureau for Medical Services to seek federal waiver for a 30-day waiting period for tubal ligation, SB 459 would require county board of education to pay tuition to the Mountaineer Challenge Academy, SB 493 would allow the creation of self-settled spendthrift trusts, SB 516 relates to the registration for selective service, SB 545 relates to asbestos abatement on oil and gas pipelines, SB 595 relates to retirement credit for members of the WV National Guard, SB 613 would define total capital for purposes of calculating state-chartered bank’s lending limit and SB 614 would conform statute with court interpretation by replacing “unconscionable” with “fraudulent” when referring to conduct. 

SB 622 which relates to the composition of PEIA Finance Board, was delayed on the calendar one day and will be taken up on third reading tomorrow.

Twenty-eight other bills were advanced to third reading, with SB 539 laid over on second reading.

A message from the Governor provided an explanation for a veto on SB 10, which would create the Unborn Child Protection Act. The House overrode the veto with a vote of 85 to 15.

After reconvening once again at 5 p.m., the House continued with the remaining four bills on second reading today, including the budget bill, House Bill 4017. The House voted to consolidate the Senate Budget Bill within the House Bill.

 

Six bills were advanced to second reading as well. 

The House voted to concur with the Senate and pass HB 4346, HB 4587, SB 265 and SB 333

 

The following committees will tomorrow prior to session: 

Rules: 8:45 a.m.

 

The House will reconvene tomorrow at 9 a.m.

Drug Testing TANF Recipients Passes House

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The House of Delegates met today at 11 a.m. 

As the last few days of session are among us, the House calendar is filled with many bills and more hours are being spent on the floor and in committee to discuss as much legislation as possible before session ends.

Today, resolutions were adopted before 15 bills were taken up for consideration and passed in the House. The highly debated Senate Bill 6 passed in the House and would require drug screening and testing of applicants for the TANF program. 

Senate Bill 524 was rejected yesterday, then taken up for reconsideration today and passed. This bill rewrites the Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists article.

Two bills were passed relating to PEIA as well. Senate Bill 520 will allow PEIA ability to recover benefits or claims obtained through fraud. The other  PEIA related bill, Senate Bill 622, passed to define the Composition of the PEIA Finance Board. 

Various other bills passed in the House today, some specifically dealing with health related concerns. House Bill 597 passed by a majority, which related generally to Health Care Authority. Senate Bill 627 also passed in order to permit physicians to decline prescribing controlled substances.

The House also considered 19 bills which were advanced to third reading. Twenty-nine bills were then sent to second reading for discussion of passage.

 

The following committees will meet today: 

Judiciary: 5:30 p.m. 

Finance: 6:30 p.m. 

 

The House is adjounrned until 9:30 a.m. tomorrow.

 The Rules committee will meet tomrrow at 9:15 a.m. 

Budget Bill Advances to Third Reading

The Senate met today at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

The Senate concurred with House amendments on Senate Bills 104, 334, 349, 469 and 591. These bills now await the Governor’s final approval. Senate Bill 104 would classify Marshall University’s Forensic Science Center as a criminal justice agency, allowing the center to participate in the National Data Exchange.

House Bills 2904, 4171, 4246, 4309, 4340, 4345, 4378, 4383, 4417, 4448, 4612, 4651, 4739 and 4740 were read for the third time and passed in the Senate. Once the House of Delegates concurs with Senate amendments the bills will await the Governor’s approval.

House Bill 4188, which relates to the development and implementation of a program to facilitate commercial sponsorship of rest areas, was referred to the Committee on Rules on the third reading.

Senate Bill 269, the Budget Bill, in addition to 17 House Bills were read for the second time and advanced to the third reading. House Bill 4168, which creates a special motor vehicle collector license plate, House Bill 4315, which relates to air-ambulance fees for emergency treatment or air transportation, and House Bill 4365, which relates to the certificate of need process, were laid over on the second reading and will retain their places on the calendar.

The following committees will meet today:

Senate Confirmations at 3:20 p.m. in 208W

Finance at 4 p.m. in 451M

Judiciary at 4 p.m. in 208W

The following committees will meet tomorrow prior to session:

Government Organizations at 8:30 a.m. in 208W

Finance at 9 a.m. in 451M

Judiciary at 9 a.m. in 208W

 

The Senate will reconvene tomorrow at 11 a.m.

Over 100 Bills Have Now Completed Legislation

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The House of Delegates met today at 11 a.m.

Session began with a display from the Mountaineer Challenge Academy, in which four young women posted the colors for the House before the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance.

The motion to discharge from the committee process the “Second Chance Bill”, SB 411, was tabled by a vote of 54 to 43.

Thirty bills passed the House of Delegates today. Among them were SB 39 which would regulate off-road motorcycles within the Hatfield-McCoy Recreation Area, SB 573 which would prohibit municipal annexation that would result in unincorporated territory within a municipality, SB 591 which relates to voter registration list maintenance and combined voter registration and driver licensing fund and SB 265 which would allow library volunteers necessary access to user records and was moved to the special calendar by the Rules Committee.

Bills that have completed legislation thus far into session total at 102.

After reconvening at 8 p.m., 12 bills were advanced to third reading and 18 bills were advanced to second reading.

HB 2852, which would legalize and regulate the sale and use of fireworks, completed legislation today when a Senate message relayed a concurrence with the House amenments.

 

The following committees will meet today:

Judiciary: 3 p.m.

Education: 3 p.m.

Finance: 4 p.m.

Rules: 6:45 p.m. 

 

The following committees will meet tomorrow morning:

Judiciary at 9 a.m.

Finance  at 9:30 a.m.

Rules  at 10:45 a.m.

 

 

The House of Delegates will reconvene tomorrow at 11 a.m.

Senate Passes 19 House Bills

The Senate convened today at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.

The Senate had 20 bills on third reading today.  Those bills were:  2588, 2615, 2801, 2823, 4188, 4209, 4213, 4225, 4295, 4322, 4377, 4433, 4489, 4520, 4561, 4587, 4617, 4705, 4725 and 4726.  All of those bills were passed, except House Bill 4188, which was laid over on the calendar one day.

House Bill 4322 would expand the Learn and Earn Program.  House Bill 4377 would eliminate exemption fro m hotel occupancy taxes on rental of hotel and motel rooms for thirty or more consecutive days.  House Bill 4725 relates to providing the procedures for the filling of vacancies in the office of justices of the Supreme Court of Appeals, circuit judge, family court judge or magistrate and making certain clarifications.

There were 14 bills on second reading in the Senate today.  Those bills were:  2904, 4171, 4246, 4309, 4340, 4345, 4378, 4383, 4417, 4448, 4612, 4651, 4739 and 4740.  All of the bills on second reading were advanced to third reading.

House Bill 4246 would change the Martinsburg Public Library to the Martinsburg-Berkeley County Public Library.  House Bill 4309 would increase criminal penalties for conviction of certain offenses of financial exploitation of an elderly person.  House Bill 4383 would make individuals responsible for the costs relating to the filing of excessive false complaints.

 

The following committees met today:

The Committee on Finance: 3:30 p.m. in 451M

The Committee on Judiciary: 3:30 p.m. and 6:15 p.m. in 208W

The Committee on Health and Human Resources:  2:30 p.m. in 451M

The Committee on Energy, Industry and Mining:  2:30 p.m. in 208W

 

The following committees will meet tomorrow before session:

The Committee on Education:  8:30 a.m. in 451M

The Committee on Government Organization:  8:30 a.m. in 208W

The Committee on Rules: 10 a.m.

 

The Senate will reconvene tomorrow morning at 11 a.m.

WVU Tech Relocation Bill Completes Legislation

The Senate met today at 11 a.m.

House Bill 4310  was passed in the Senate. The bill relates to the location of the West Virginia University Institute of Technology. Once the House of Delegates concurs with the Senate message, the bill will await the Governor’s approval and once signed, the institution would relocate to West Virginia University’s newly-acquired campus in Beckley, West Virginia.

House Bill 2122, which makes it illegal for first responders to photograph a corpse, and House Bill 4505, which would allow Powerball winners to remain anonymous were also passed in the Senate. These three bills, along with 17 others, now await the Governor’s final approval.

19 House Bills, including House Bill 4489, which relates to human trafficking offenses, were read for the second time and advanced to the third reading. House Bill 4612, which relates generally to tax increment financing and economic opportunity development districts, was laid over on the second reading and will retain its place on the calendar.

 

The following committees will meet today:

Banking & Insurance at 2:50 p.m. in 208W

Finance at 3 p.m. in 451M

Judiciary at 3:30 p.m. in 208W

Education at 6 p.m. in 451M

 

The following committees will meet tomorrow prior to session:

Education at 8:30 a.m. in 451M

Finance at 9 a.m. in 451M

Judiciary at 9 a.m. in 208W

Transportation at 10 a.m. in 451M

Government Organizations at 11 a.m. 208W

 

The Senate will reconvene tomorrow at 11 a.m.

Last Week of 2016 Session Begins

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The House of Delegates met today at 11 a.m.

The last week of session began with the passage of one bill, allowing it to complete legislation. Senate Bill 658 passed as well to allow licensed professionals to donate time to care of indigent and needy in clinical setting. 

As time winds down the agenda is filled with bills to consider. A large sum of 32 bills were advanced to third reading today. Eleven bills were advanced to second reading on the House Calendar.

Along with bills passed and advanced, 31 resolutions were adopted.

In the second session, the House immediately took up several bills passed by the Senate. Among them were House Bill 2122 which would make it illegal for first responders to photograph a corpse, House Bill 4505 which would allow powerball winners to remain annonymous, House Bill 4654 which relates to the Executive Secretary of the Board of Professional Nurses, Senate Bill 68 which would disallow Health Care Authority to conduct rate review and set rates for hospital and Senate Bill 437, which would update and clarify code relating to rules governing mixed martial arts. Each of the bills have completed legislation. 

House Bill 2852, which would legalize and regulate the sale of fireworks, was passed with a futher amendment, sending the bill back to the Senate for concurrence.

 

 

The following committees will meet today: 

Judiciary: 1:30 p.m.

Finance: 2 p.m. 

Education: 2 p.m.

Judiciary: 6 p.m.

 

The following committees will meet tomorrow prior to session: 

Health & HR: 9 a.m.

Finance: 9 a.m. 

Judiciary: 9 a.m.

Rules: 10:45 a.m.

 

The House of Delegates will adjourn untill 11 a.m. tomorrow morning.