This morning, the Senate read eight bills for a third time and passed them. One of those bills was House Bill 2555, which would establish the offense of operating a motor vehicle while sending, reading or receiving a text message. The Senate amended this bill to also make failure to wear a seat belt a primary offense.

The Senate also concurred with the House amendment and passed Senate Bill 282, which continues the Highway Design-Build Pilot Program. This bill now awaits the governor’s signature.

Additionally, eight resolutions were adopted. One of those, Senate Resolution 48 memorializes the life of the Honorable Ralph Dale Williams.

The following committees will meet today:
Government Organization – 2 p.m. – 208W
Finance – 3 p.m. – 451M
Judiciary – 3 p.m. – 208W

The Senate will stand in recess until 6 p.m. today.

UPDATE

This evening, the Senate received a veto message from the governor regarding Senate Bill 458 due to a title error. The Senate amended the title and passed it. The bill was communicated to the House for its reconsideration.

The Senate also received committee reports, took 13 up for immediate consideration and read them for a first time. One of those bills was House Bill 2505, which would add synthetic cannabinoids, hallucinogens and stimulants to the Schedule I list of controlled substances.

The Senate will reconvene tomorrow at 11 a.m.

This evening, the Senate passed House Bill 2765, which relates to the retirement plans administered by the West Virginia Consolidated Public Retirement Board. This bill completed legislation and awaits the governor’s signature.

Eight bills were read for a second time and were advanced to third reading on tomorrow’s calendar. One of those bill was House Bill 2555, which would establish the offense of operating a motor vehicle while sending, reading or receiving a text message.

Additionally, the Senate heard 35 committee reports and took 13 up for immediate consideration and read them a first time. One of the bills that was read for a first time was House Bill 3225, which would expand the definition of harassment, intimidation or bullying.

The following committees will meet tomorrow:
Judiciary – 9 a.m. – 208W
Government Organization – 2 p.m. – 208W

The Senate will reconvene tomorrow at 11 a.m.

This morning, the Senate adopted House Concurrent Resolution 14, which designates the “Senator Don Caruth Memorial Road.” The Senate also adopted House Concurrent Resolution 77, which designates the “SP5 Lloyd ‘Buddy’ Greene Jr. Memorial Bridge,” and House Concurrent Resolution 103, which designates the “Lt. Ronnie D. Ferrell Memorial Bridge.”

Additionally, the Senate received messages from the House and took up House Concurrent Resolution 139, which calls for the Congress of the United States to offer and support a resolution honoring the life of Frank Woodruff Buckles, and provides that Mr. Buckles body be allowed to lie in honor in the United States Capitol rotunda.

Nineteen bills were passed, as well, including House Bill 2939, which would clarify the definition of compensation for purposes of calculating required contributions to the public employees retirement system. Nine of those bills completed legislation and await the governor’s signature.

The following committees will meet today:
Health and Human Resources – 1 p.m. – 451M
Education – 2 p.m. – 451M
Judiciary – 2:30 p.m. – 208W
Finance – 3 p.m. – 451M
Finance subcommittee on Autism – 4 p.m. – 451M
Government Organization – 5 p.m. – 208W

The Senate will reconvene today at 6 p.m.

This morning, the Senate passed five bills. Three of those bills completed legislation and now await the governor’s signature. Those bills are Senate Bill 216, which modifies the definition “imminent danger to physical well-being of a child”, Senate Bill 256, which requires sex offenders verify e-mail and online identities, and Senate Bill 486, which creates the WVU-Tech Revitalization Project.

The Senate also adopted three resolutions. Senate Resolution 44 designates March 6-12, 2011 as “National Problem Gambling Awareness Week.” Senate Resolution 45 designates March 2011 as “American Red Cross Month.” Senate Resolution 46 recognizes the Republic of China (Taiwan) on occasion of its 100th anniversary.

The following committees will meet today:
Natural Resources – 2 p.m. – 208W
Finance – 3 p.m. – 451M
Judiciary – 3 p.m. – 208W

The Senate will reconvene today at 5 p.m.

This evening, the Senate received nine committee reports. House Bill 2802, which would prohibit the use of turning lanes for through traffic under certain circumstances, and House Bill 3000, which would make it lawful to hunt coyotes with a green colored light, were taken up for immediate consideration and read a first time prior to their second committee references.

The Senate will reconvene tomorrow at 11 a.m.

This morning, the Senate read for a second time and amended Senate Bill 615, which would increase salaries for certain public employees. This bill was advanced to third reading on Monday’s Senate calendar. Following that, the Senate amended the provisions of Senate Bill 615 into House Bill 2879, which would provide a one-time nonbase building, supplemental salary increase for all eligible state employees. This bill was also advanced to third reading on Monday’s calendar.

House Bill 2708, which would remove a 12-month limitation for certain agreements between or among law-enforcement agencies, was also amended and advanced to third reading.

The Senate also received committee reports and took 11 up for immediate consideration and read them for a first time. One of those bills was House Bill 2885, which would allow a guardian or conservator to be employed or in an employment contract with a behavioral health provider.

Additionally, the Senate adopoted Senate Resolution 43, which recognizes the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.

The following committees will meet on Monday:
Judiciary – 10 a.m. – 208W
Pensions – 1 p.m. – 208W

The Senate will reconvene Monday at 11 a.m.

The Senate met in a late morning session to receive several messages from the House regarding 42 bills.

Among those bills, was Senate Bill 458, which completed legislation this morning when the Senate concurred with the House’s amendments and passed the bill. This bill will update the Logging Sediment Control Act to include a biennial licensure and fee. The bill is now awaiting the Governor’s signature.

Additionally, the Senate received several reports from standing committees regarding bills and resolutions, including Senate Concurrent Resolution 39–requesting Department of Highways name West Virginia 20 between the city of Cowen and the Webster and Nicholas County lines “Chief Samuel ‘Ed’ Plummer Memorial Highway”.

The following committees will be meeting this afternoon:
Health and Human Resources – 1 p.m. – 451M
Banking and Insurance – 2 p.m. – 208W
Education – 2 p.m. – 451M
Finance – 3 p.m. – 451M
Judiciary – 3 p.m. – 208W

The Senate will reconvene tomorrow at 11 a.m.