Tuesday, September 16, 2025
Tuesday, September 16, 2025
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House Passes Pregnant Workers’ Fairness Act

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The House gave five citations. One of the citations given recognized the importance of organ donation. 

With the Governor’s approval, Senate Bill 346 has passed all legislation. Senate Bill 32, 165, 257, 314, 325, 380, 408 and 415 were all introduced in the House and were referred to the appropriate committees. Senate Bill 408 is relating to the powers and duties of the Parole Board including the elegibility of parole, procedures of granting parole and timely parole hearings.     

House Bills 4409 through 4418 were introduced today. House Bill 4415 relates to DNA sample collection of people arrested of a felony. The House adopted Concurrent Resolution 25, 57, 58 and 59 that all relate to senior citizen issues.

Senate Bill 341, which would  make a supplementary appropriation to the Department of Health and Human Resources from the State Excess Lottery Revenue Fund, passed and is now sent to the Governor’s Office for approval. The House passed three other bills, House Bill 4196, 4236 and 4284.  House Bill 4284 would protect pregnant women in the workforce and allow them to require certain accomodations because of a medical condition. 

The following committees will meet today:

  • House Senior Citizen Issues Committee will meet today at 3 p.m. in room 215E
  • House Health and Human Resources Committee will meet today at 4:15 p.m. in room 215E

The following committees will meet tomorrow:

  • House Subcommittee on House Bill 4347 will meet at 8:30 a.m. in room 410M
  • House Finance Committee will meet at 9 a.m. in room 460M

Senate Recognizes Social Worker’s Day, Preston County Day, & Mine Rescue Team

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The Senate convened at 11 a.m. today to recognize Social Worker’s Day, Preston County Day and the Pinnacle Blue Mine Rescue Team.

Senate Resolutions 15 and 16 were approved, recognizing today as Social Worker’s Day and Preston County Day, respectively. Senate Resolution 17 recognized the Pinnacle Blue Mine Rescue Team for their performance in the National Coal Mine Rescue Competition.

The Senate passed five bills today, including Senate Bill 387, which clarifies that officer have legal custody of their prisoners when in West Virginia. Senate Bill 395, relating to the operation and oversight of certain human services benefit programs, passed today as well.

Other bills passed were Senate Bill 357 and House Bills 4177 and 4182. Senate Bills 387, 395 and 357 will be communicated to the House of Delegates for their approval. House Bills 4177 and 4182 have completed legislation and will be sent to the governor.

There were also 12 bills introduced.

Among the bills introduced today was Senate Bill 493, which would exclude days a student was suspended when determining truancy. Senate Bill 497 was introduced as well, which would remove restrictions as to where certain lottery games are permitted to be played.

Senate Bill 353 had its second reading today and Senate Bill 336 had its first reading.

The following committees will meet today:

  • Senate Economic Development at 1 p.m. in 451M
  • Senate Government Organization in 208W
  • Senate Natural Resources at 2 p.m. in 451M
  • Senate Finance at 3 p.m. in 451M
  • Senate Judiciary at 3 p.m. in 208W

The following committees will meet tomorrow:

  • Senate Banking and Insurance at 10 a.m. in 208W
  • Senate Finance at 10 a.m. in 451M

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

“Country Roads” Step Away from State Song

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Today, The Pikeview Boys Soccer Team and the Leadership Jefferson program were both honored and awarded with citations from the House.

The House introduced five House Concurrent Resolutions today and adopted seven House Concurrent Resolutions that now move to the Senate for further consideration. If adopted by the Senate, House Concurrent Resolution 40  would make “Take Me Home Country Roads” by John Denver the fourth state song along with “The West Virginia Hills,” “West Virginia, My Home Sweet Home,” and “This Is My West Virginia.”   

The House passed four bills on third reading, House Bills 4147, 4186, 4287 and 4332, that now move to the Senate for further consideration. House Bill 4186 would add provisions to the current procedures for qualifying and receiving a concealed weapons license. 

The following committees will meet today:

  • House Judiciary will meet at 1:45 p.m. in room 410M
  • House Education will meet at 2 p.m. in room 434M
  • House Finance will meet at 2 p.m. and will hold a public hearing in the House Chamber at 4 p.m. 
  • House Government Organization will meet at 2 p.m. in room 215E

The following committees will meet tomorrow:

  • House Agriculture and Natural Resources will meet at 9 a.m. in room 215E
  • House Banking and Insurance will meet at 10 a.m. in room 215E
  • House Pension and Retirement will meet at 10 a.m. in room 460M

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

Senate Passes Bill Relating to Harm to Trespassers

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The Senate convened at 11 a.m. today to pass eight bills.

Senate Bill 257, relating to a landowner’s liability for harm to trespassers, was among the bills passed. Senate Bill 408 was passed as well, which would entitle inmates in the custody of the commissioner to a timely parole hearing without regard to location.

Senate Bills 32, 165, 314, 325, 380, and 415 were also passed. They will communicated to the House of Delegates for their consideration.

Seven bills were introduced. Senate Bill 479 would provide vocational certification, licensure or college credit for military training and experience. Another bill introduced was Senate Bill 482, which would require food handling examinations and cards.

Bills on their second reading today were Senate Bills 341, 357, 387, and 395, as well as House Bills 4177 and 4182. Senate Bill 353 had its first reading.

The following committees will meet today:

  • Senate Health and Human Resources at 1 p.m. in 451M
  • Senate Education at 2 p.m. in 451M
  • Senate Finance at 3 p.m. in 451M
  • Senate Judiciary at 3 p.m.  in 208W

The following committees will meet tomorrow:

  • Senate Labor at 9 a.m. in 208W
  • State Water Resources at 10 a.m. in 208W

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

Senate Observes Randolph County Day, Passes Four Bills

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The Senate adopted Senate Resolution 13, designating Randolph County Day, and passed four bills during an afternoon floor session on Monday.

Among the bills that passed today, Senate Bill 381 would require CPR and Heimlich manuevuer instructions in public schools and Senate Bill 405 would require a presiding judge’s permission to release juror qualification forms after a trial’s conclusion. Senate Bills 267, ensuring that state courts have jurisdiction of fraudulent or unauthorized purchasing card use and 435, correcting a code reference relating to handgun safety training for certain court personnel, also moved on to the House of Delegates for consideration.

The Senate read eight bills a second time, including Senate Bill 325, which provides that the state Fire Marshal serve at will and pleasure of Fire Commission.  Senate Bills 357, 387, and 395 along with House Bills 4177 and 4182 were read a first time.

The Senate also introduced 15 bills today.

The following committees will meet today:

  • Judiciary at 3 p.m. in 208W
  • Finance at 3 p.m. in 451M

The following committees will meet tomorrow:

  • Transportation an Infrastructure at 10 a.m. in 451M
  • Health and Human Resources at 1 p.m. in 451M
  • Education at 2 p.m. in 451M

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

House Honors Life of Ruth Stafford Goldsmith

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The House of Delegates convened at 1 p.m. today to adopt House Resolution 8 in memorialize the life of the Honorable Ruth Stafford Goldsmith.

Goldsmith served as a delegate representing Kanawha County in 1980 and 1990 and served on South Charleston City Council. She spent much of her time as a community advocate and a public servant.

The House introduced seven new bills as well. House Bill 4388 would prohibit legislators from certain political fundraising activities for specified times before, during and after the Legislature is in session. House Bill 4390 relates to developing education standards and privacy for student’s and teacher’s information.

House Bills 4147, 4186, 4287, and 4332 had their second readings. House Bills 4196, 4236 and 4284 and Senate Bill 341 had their first readings.

Today was also recognized as Randolph County Day and Humane Society Day, with citations given for each.

The following committees will meet today:

  • House Judiciary 30 minutes after adjournment
  • House Finance at 2 p.m. in 460M

The following committees will meet tomorrow:

  • House Finance at 9:30 a.m. in 460M

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

In the Senate

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As of 4 p.m., Thursday, January 30th, 2014, the 23rd day of the 2nd session of the 81st Legislature, 455 bills have been introduced in the Senate. Of those, 17 passed and have been sent to the House of Delegates for consideration. Among those:

Senate Bill 12 would allow expedited partner therapy, permitting prescribing antibiotics for the partner of a patient with a sexually transmitted disease without examining the partner.

Senate Bill 208 would continue the Rural Health Initiative but discontinue the rural health advisory committee and assign duties to the Vice Chancellor for Health Sciences. The requirement for creation of primary health care education sites would be deleted.

Senate Bill 209 would require county education boards to allow special needs students to participate in graduation ceremonies. Special needs students who continue with special education services after graduation can participate in the ceremonies as well. The student would have to submit a written request to do so. County boards would not be allowed to deem a special needs student ineligible for post-graduation services due to his or her participation in graduation.

Senate Bill 251 would update the Uniform Arbitration Act for modern arbitration cases. This would include whether arbitrators are required to disclose facts likely to affect impartiality, testify in another proceeding, and to what extent arbitrators or representatives are immune from civil actions. It also decides whether arbitrators have the discretion to do things such as issue protective orders, decide motion for summary dispositions, and hold prehearing conferences.

Senate Bill 310 would adjust penalties for willful failure to pay child support when he or she has the abilities to do so within six months. If found guilty of the misdemeanor, it would be a sentence of up to a year. Upon second violation, he or she would serve up to a year in prison and/or a fine from $100 to $1,000. Third conviction would require a jail sentence from 90 days to one year and/or a fine from $500 to $1,500. If the person has 12 months to supply child support and willfully does not, it would be a felony with a sentence requiring one to three years in prison and/or fined $1,000 to $5,000. If one is convicted but is not incarcerated or gainfully employed, he or she must become employed or register with WorkForce West Virginia and actively seek employment or training.

Senate Bill 316 would shorten the period when the statute of limitations is tolled for bringing third party claims while a lawsuit pends to 60 days. The defendant could bring a third party complaint after the 60 days if the cause of action against the third party was not discovered until then.

Senate Bill 359 would remove the hand canvassing requirements of electronic voting machines.

Senate Bill 373 would incorporate recommendations from the State Water Resources Management Plan into the Water Resources Protection and Management Act. This would involve changing the definition of a large quantity user to a person who uses at least 300,000 gallons of water in a 30-day period, and these users would have to submit an annual water withdrawal or usage report. Drilling contractors and well owners would have to report the depth of groundwater of drilled wells. Aboveground storage tanks would have to be registered and regulated in a program to be developed by the Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection.

Senate Bill 394 would change the Health Sciences Scholarship Program to the Health Sciences Service Program to reflect the program’s purpose as a job recruitment incentive for healthcare professionals working in underserved parts of West Virginia.

In the House

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As of 4 p.m., Thursday, January 30th, 2014, the 23rd day of the 2nd session of the 81st Legislature, 1001 bills have been introduced in the House. Of those, 16 of those have passed and have been sent to the Senate for further consideration. A sample of these bills includes:

House Bill 2387 would allow people who have disabilities or are handicapped to keep assistive animals in their home. This specifically relates to housing complexes that have pet policies that would otherwise not allow this. To qualify a person needs a document from a licensed professional.

House Bill 2954 would require that members of the Mine Safety Technology Task Force are paid the same compensation and reimbursement as members of the Legislature.

House Bill 2966 would prohibit employers from requiring access to an employees personal accounts and wrongful termination if the employee doesn’t give access to those account. This bill would essentially protect an employee from having to give username or passwords for personal account through fear of consequences.

House Bill 4006 would increase penalties for possession and distribution of child pornography. This proposal would also include penalties for offenders who intentionally view, possess, distribute or transmit a large quantity of images and increases penalties for second offenses.

House Bill 4139 would restrict parental rights of a child of that child was conceived through sexual abuse or assault. This proposal restricts child custody and visitation with a natural parent that has been convicted of sexual assault unless the victim consents.

House Bill 4175 would provide protection to small businesses from the financial effects of emergencies. This bill would expand the Governor’s power in order to give financial protection to small businesses.

House Bill 4338 would require regional jail programs be the same as programs in a corrections facility. Due to overcrowding, many inmates that are supposed to be at a correctional facility end up serving time in a regional facility and don’t receive the same education and rehabilitation programs they would have originally benefitted from if it wasn’t for overcrowding.

House Bill 4339 would ensure money from Solid Waste Authority Closure Cost Assistance Fund is available to close the Elkins-Randolph County landfill and the Webster County Landfill.

House Bill 4340 would provide an exception to provisions of the West Virginia Ethics Act for elected Conservation District Supervisors who participate in the West Virginia Conservation Agency Agricultural Enhancement Program. The Conservation District Supervisors can’t consider, act or vote on matters that affect the elected supervisor or his or her immediate family.

House Bill 4342 would allow nurses and midwives to write prescriptions. This bill would amend a code of West Virginia that states only licensed physicians can write prescriptions and would allow for nurses to write prescriptions without the consent of a physician.

House Bill 4343 would create the West Virginia Project Launchpad Act, a program to attract businesses and people back to the state after the decline of the coal industry. This proposal would allow counties and cities to apply for the launchpad program which would give local and state tax breaks to businesses and workers that qualify for the program.

House Bill 4344 would amend the human trafficking statute. This bill protects the victim from prosecution and conforms to a Human Trafficking bill that was approved by the Uniformed Law Commission and the ABA of the House.

House Bill 4346 would establish separate standards of performance for carbon dioxide emissions. This proposal establishes different standards for carbon dioxide emissions for coal burning electric generators and natural gas burning electric generators based on efficiency and reduction of emissions.

House Bill 4348 would enhance civil legal services for the poor. This proposal would add fees in circuit courts to provide support for civil legal service for low-income people.

House Bill 4352 would require entities that receive public money for economic development much file an annual report. This bill would ensure that public money is being used to provide jobs and economic benefits.

House Bill 4355 would prohibit an employer from asking whether an applicant for employment has been convicted of a criminal offense unless harm could be done to an individual or the public.

House Bill 4377 would give DUI offenders an alternative to license revocation. A DUI offender can use an Alcohol Test and Lock device installed in their car that wouldn’t allow the car to start unless they have had any alcohol.

Parole Board Hearing Process Revision

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Senate Bill 408 Focuses on Streamlining Process to Help Reduce State’s Rising Prison Population

During last year’s regular session, the Legislature passed Senate Bill 371, which focused on reforming aspects of the state’s criminal justice system to improve public safety and to also address the growing prison overcrowding and substance abuse problems in West Virginia.

At last November’s Regional Jail and Correctional Facility Authority interim meeting, committee members heard from General Counsel for the Governor’s Office discuss the impact Senate Bill 371 has already had on the prison population numbers.

The Governor’s office had been looking at two types of statistics to analyze the effects Senate Bill 371 has had on the prison population numbers; the total number of inmates in the custody of the Division of Corrections (DOC) and of that number, those that are being held at regional jails. The figures show the total inmate population had dropped by 253 and the backlog of inmates being housed in the state’s regional jails was down by 554. It was projected that the prison population would grow past 7,500 by the end of 2014. Instead, the state’s inmate population dropped.

As a continuing response to reducing the prison population in the state, the Senate has placed on the calendar Senate Bill 408, which makes some changes to the current parole board hearing process. Current law requires DOC inmates detained in a non-DOC facility who are eligible for a parole hearing to make a written request. Committee substitute for SB 408 treats DOC inmates housed in non-DOC facilities the same as those inmates already housed in DOC facilities.

Senate Bill 408 would make two changes to the parole process to ensure that DOC inmates are provided with a timely parole board hearing. It removes the three month good conduct requirement prior to parole release as a condition to have a hearing. However, the Parole Board will maintain authority to grant or deny parole. Second, the bill adds language stating that the Division of Correction inmates being held in non-DOC facilities who become parole eligible are entitled to a prompt hearing.

As of Friday, January 31, the bill was placed on first reading on the Senate’s calendar where it is expected to come up for a vote before the full Senate next week.