The House met today to complete legislation on 17 bills.

Of the 17 bills passed was Senate Bill 387, which relates to family court judge supervision of criminal background investigations. This bill would grant family court judges the authority to compel and supervise investigation on the background of a criminal when appropriate.

House Bill 2815 was also completed. This bill would clarify and modify the process of appointing and terminating guardians for minors in the primary context of administration of estates and trusts. This bill addresses who may file a petition for guardianship of a minor, venue, interaction with other court cases, service requirements, circumstances that may warrant appointment of a guardian, and more.

The House also adopted House Resolution 35 today. This resolution recognizes the 100th year of the West Virginia Division of Highways.

The House is in recess until 1:30 p.m. today.

Today on the floor, the House completed five House Bills that were reported from the Senate, including House Bill 2521, relating to the West Virginia Contraband Forfeiture Act and also passed seven Senate Bills including Senate Bill 60, relating to name-change notice publication requirements.

The House advanced 21 Senate Bills to third reading, including Senate Bill 446, conforming motor fuel taxes with International Fuel Tax Agreement. In addition, 38 Senate Bills and one House Bill were read for the first time today including Senate Bill 481, relating to juvenile mental health treatment.

Eight House Concurrent Resolutions were adopted as well, including House Concurrent Resolution 135, proclaiming West Virginia as a Purple Heart State, and House Resolution 34, designating today as “Crime Victims Day” at the Legislature.

Committees Meeting Today:
Judiciary Committee: 1:10 p.m. 410M
Finance Committee: 1:30 p.m. 460M

The House will reconvene today at 5:00 p.m.

UPDATE:

The House met briefly to receive committee reports and received a proclamation from the governor extending the regular session to solely consider the budget bill. House Bill 2395, relating to senior services, was reported out of the Senate, voted on and completed legislation. The House also rejected Senate amendments made to House Bill 2471 and asked the Senate to withdraw those amendments.

The House will reconvene tomorrow at 11:00 a.m.

Today on the floor, the House completed legislation on two Senate Bills which included Senate Bill 80, including substitute teaching in job duties of certain professional educators employed by county boards and Senate Bill 183, updating terms in Corporation Net Income Tax Act.

The House also advanced six bills to third reading including Senate Bill 158, creating Complete Streets Act and also advanced 20 bills to second reading including Senate Bill 491, relating to car license cost recovery fee.

Also, the House adopted five House Concurrent Resolutions including House Concurent Resolution 105, requesting a study on the necessity of hiring additional fraud investigators for the Department of Health and Human Resources and Medical Fraud Control Unit.

Committees Meeting Today:

Finance Committee: 1:45 p.m. 460M
Judiciary Committee: 2:00 p.m. 410M
Government and Organization Committee: 2:00 p.m. 215E

The House will reconvene today at 5:00 p.m.

UPDATE:

The House met briefly today to receive committee reports.

The following committee will meet today:
Government Organization – 15 minutes following session – 215E

The following committees will meet tomorrow:
House Judiciary – 8:30 a.m. – 410M
House Finance – 9:30 a.m. – 460M

The House will reconvene tomorrow at 11:00 a.m.

Today on the floor, the House passed Senate Bill 145, amending election complaint procedures, and Senate Bill 458, permitting PEIA health plans to operate on calendar-year basis. These bills were amended by the House and must go back to the Senate for approval. Senate Bill 71, requiring descriptions or easements of rights-of-way include width in addition to the centerline, was originally scheduled to be read for the third time, but was laid over until tomorrow.

Senate Bill 80, including substitute teaching in job duties of certain professional educators employed by county boards and Senate Bill 183, updating terms in Corporation Net Income Tax were both advanced to third reading.

In addition, six Senate Bills were read for the first time including, Senate Bill 158, creating Complete Streets Act.

Committees Meeting Today:
Judiciary Committee: 12:45 p.m. 410M
Finance Committee: 1:00 p.m. 460M
Government and Organization Committee: 1:00 p.m. 215E

The House will reconvene today at 5:00 p.m.

UPDATE:

The House met briefly to receive committee reports. Also, a motion to dispense with a second reference for Senate Bill 116 failed to receive the 2/3 votes required and the bill now heads to House Finance for further consideration.

The House Education Committee will meet immediately upon adjournment and the House Judiciary Committee will meet tonight at 6:00 p.m.

Committees Meeting Tomorrow:
Education Committee: 8:30 a.m. 434M
Judiciary Committee: 9:00 a.m. 410M
Finance Committee: 9:00 a.m. 460M

The House will reconvene tomorrow at 11:00 a.m.

Today on the floor, Senate Bill 571, extending the time Oceana City Council can meet as a levying body, was intended to be read for the first time, but due to the suspension of the constitutional rule, was read all three times today and completed legislation in addition to Senate Bill 421, exempting certain school mascots from prohibition of firearms possession on school grounds.

Four Senate Bills were passed including Senate Bill 638, terminating certain severance tax exemption for production of natural gas or oil. There were four Senate Bills that were read for the second time including Senate Bill 435, continuing the Municipal Home Rule Pilot Program and two Senate Bills were also read for the first time.

The House adopted four Senate Concurrent Resolutions including Senate Concurrent Resolution 11, requesting DOH name portion of State Route 214 “Army Pvt. Parker Meikle Memorial Road.

Committees Meeting Today:
Judiciary Committee: 12:30 p.m. 410M
Finance Committee: 1:00 p.m.460M

The House will reconvene Monday at 11:00 a.m.