The Senate passed House Bill 401, which establishes the Natural Gas Horizontal Wells Control Act, during a brief afternoon floor session.
This legislation, which is identical to the bill the Senate passed yesterday, save for seven minor amendments, completes action on new rules and permit fees for gas drilling in the Marcellus Shale.
The measure sets minimum distances between wells and such things as houses, drinking wells and public water structures. It also spells out when developers should provide prior notices to affected surface property owners. The bill also calls for $10,000 permit fees for initial wells and $5,000 fees for each well added to that site.
The Senate has adjourned Sine Die
Following a lengthy House Judiciary Committee meeting and discussion regarding 
Members of the House of Delegates held a brief floor session to announce committee meeting times for further discussion of the Marcellus Shale legislation, 
The body received the Senate Judiciary’s committee report with its recommendation for the passage of
Members of both the West Virginia House of Delegates and West Virginia state Senate met Sunday, December 11th, 2011 at 5:00 p.m. to begin the work of the 4th Extraordinary Session of the 80th West Virginia Legislature in 2011. 
Senators introduced 
The Senate confirmed all of the Governor’s appointments during a brief morning floor session that concluded the 3rd Special Session of 2011.
Senator Jeffrey V. Kessler was elected Senate President Monday evening by 28-5 vote with one senator absent and not voting. Kessler becomes Senate President after serving the Senate for the last 10 months in the role of Acting Senate President. West Virginia Supreme Court Justice Margaret Workman swore him into office on the Senate floor.
Former Logan County Commissioner Art Kirkendoll was appointed by Governor Earl Ray Tomblin to serve the one year remaining on his term in the West Virginia Senate. Governor Tomblin was required to resign his seat in the Senate following his election as Governor.