Page 312 – Wrap Up

Senate Designates February 27 as Disability Advocacy Day

Senate Floor Session

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February 27, 2013

The Senate convened today to introduce 17 bills and one Senate Resolution.

Senate Bill 172, relating to licensing for nonintoxicating beer distributors, was advanced to second reading today.

Bills introduced today included Senate Bill 380 which would expand the Military Incentive Program for all economically disadvantaged veterans as opposed to only veterans of the Vietnam era and of Korean conflict.

The Senate also adopted Senate Resolution 21 which designated February 27, 2013 as Disability Advocacy Day. The resolution was introduced by Senator Stollings.

The following committees will meet today:

The Committee on Judiciary will meet today at 3:00 p.m. in 208W.
The Committee on Finance will meet today at 3:00 p.m. in 451M.

The following committees will meet tomorrow:

The Committee on Health and Human Resources will meet tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. in 451M.
The Committee on Education will meet tomorrow at 4:00 p.m. in 451M.

The Senate will reconvene tomorrow at 11:00 a.m. in the Senate Chamber.

House Recognizes 41st Anniversary of Buffalo Creek Disaster

House Floor Session

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February 26, 2013

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Today in the House, House Resolution 12 was adopted deeming today “Community Action Day” and three citations were presented to groups recognizing the work done by the “Our Children, Our Future” Campaign to end childhood poverty, the Wahama High School football team on being single A state champions and recognizing the 41st anniversary of the Buffalo Creek disaster.

The House also moved, House Bill 2477,which would allow certain auxiliary lighting on motorocycles, to second reading.

House Bill 2505,which would increase civil penalties for pipeline safety violations and would make West Virginia law consistent with federal standards, was read for the first time. This is a governor’s bill in response to the Sissionville pipeline explosion.

Committees Meeting Today:

House Government & Organization 2:00 p.m. in 215E

House Finance Committee 2:00 p.m. in 460M
House Judiciary Committee 2:00 p.m. in 410M

Joint Judiciary Committee 3:00 p.m. in House Chamber
House Education Committee 3:00 p.m in 434M

Committees Meeting Tomorrow:

House Agriculture Committee 8:15 a.m. 215E
House Veterans Affairs and Homeland Security Committee 9:15 a.m in 460M
House Pensions and Retirement Committee 10:00 a.m. in 460M
House Banking and Insurance Committee 10:00 a.m in 215E
House Energy, Industry & Mining Committee 1:00 p.m. in 460M
House Political Subdivisions Committee 1:00 p.m. in 215E
House Constitutional Review Committee 2:00 p.m. in 410M

House Roads and Transportation Committee 2:00 p.m. in 215E
House Senior Citizens Issues Committee 3:00 p.m. 215E
House Health and Human Resources Committee 4:00 p.m. in 215E

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

Senate Passes 4 Bills

Senate Floor Session

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February 26, 2013

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The Senate convened today at 11:00 a.m. to introduce six bills, one Senate Joint Resolution, and one Senate Resolution.

The Senate also passed four bills including Senate Bill 60, relating to name change publication requirements, Senate Bill 71, which requires descriptions of rights-of-way to include width in addition to the center line, Senate Bill 76, which would allow voters who have moved to vote for President and Vice President, and Senate Bill 82, which would require public service boards to have at least one rate-paying residential customer of the public service district on its board membership.

The bills introduced included Senate Bill 371, which would reform aspects of the criminal justice system to improve public safety and address the growing prison overcrowding and substance abuse problems in this state.

The following committees will meet today:

The Committee on Natural Resources will meet today at 1:00 p.m. in 208W.
The Committee on Education will meet today at 2:00 p.m. in 451M.
The Committee on Government Organization will meet today at 2:00 p.m. in 208W.
The Committee on Finance will meet today at 3:00 p.m. in 451M.
The Committee on Judiciary will meet today at 3:00 p.m. in the House Chamber.
The Education Subcommittee on School Access and Safety will hold a public hearing at 5:00 p.m. in 451M.

The following committees will meet tomorrow:

The Committee on Labor will meet tomorrow at 9:00 a.m. in 208W.
The Committee on Children and Poverty will meet tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. in 451M.
The Committee on Economic Development will meet tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. in 451M.
The Committee on Government Organization will meet tomorrow at 2:00 p.m. in 208W.

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

House Honors Wounded Deputy Sheriff

House Floor Session

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February 25, 2013

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Today the House of Delegates presented a citation to Roane County Deputy Sheriff John Westfall who was injured in the line of duty late August last year. He was joined by his wife and three children.

House Resolution 42 was also adopted requesting that the portion of the King Coal highway that runs through Mingo County be named in honor of Mike Whitt. Whitt was an integral citizen to Mingo County and was vital to the development of this highway. They presented his family with the resolution to formally name the highway the Mike Whitt Visionary Leadership Highway.

United States Congressman Nick Joe Rahall was also in attendance during the floor session today.

House Bill 2173, which relates to costs of indigent funeral costs, had its third reading today and was passed. It now heads to the Senate for its consideration.

House Bill 2477, which would allow for certain auxiliary lighting on motorcycles, had its first reading today.

Committees Meeting Today:

House Judiciary Committee: 2:00 p.m. in 410M
House Finance Committee: 2:00 p.m in 460M
House Government and Organization 2:00 p.m in 215E
House Education Committee 3:00 p.m. in 434M

Committees Meeting Tomorrow:

House Finance Committee: 9:00 a.m. in 460M

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

Senate Passes Bill Amending Election Complaint Procedures

Senate Floor Session

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February 25, 2013

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The Senate convened this afternoon at 1:00 p.m. to introduce 10 bills, 5 Senate Concurrent Resolutions, and 1 Senate Resolution.

The Senate passed House Bill 145 today, which would amend and reenact Section 3-1-50 of the West Virginia Code relating to state-based administrative complaint procedures.

Bills introduced today included Senate Bill 368, which would clarify that anyone convicted of an offense punishable by more than one year in prison prior to a marriage and without the knowledge of the spouse constitutes a basis for voiding a marriage. Also, Senate Bill 359 which relates generally to reforming public education was introduced today on behalf of the Governor and referred to the Senate Education Committee.

Three bills were sent to 3rd reading today including Senate Bill 60, Senate Bill 76, and Senate Bill 82.

The following committees will meet today:

The Committee on Government Organization will meet today at 2:00 p.m. in 208W.
The Committee on Judiciary will meet today at 3:00 p.m. in 208W.
The Committee on Finance will meet today at 3:00 p.m. in 451M.

The following committees will meet tomorrow:

The Committee on Energy, Industry, and Mining will meet tomorrow at 9:00 a.m. in room 208W.
The Committee on Military will meet tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. in 208W.
The Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure will meet tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. in 451M.
The Committee on Health and Human Resources will meet tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. in 451M.
The Committee on Natural Resources will meet tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. in 208W.
The Committee on Government Organization will meet tomorrow at 2:00 p.m. in 208W.
The Committee on Education will meet tomorrow at 2:00 p.m. in 451M.

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

Capitol Hosts Ceremony Honoring Heroic Law Enforcement

Around the Capitol

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February 25, 2013

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Lawmakers, State Troopers, members of the WV Sheriff’s Association, and the public gathered this afternoon in the lower rotunda at the State Capitol to honor the State Troopers who put their lives on the line and those who gave the ultimate sacrifice on August 28, 2012 after responding to an erratic driving call.

Corporal Marshall Bailey and Trooper Eric Workman arrested a young driver, handcuffed him, and placed him in the back of their cruiser for erratic driving. While waiting on a tow truck to arrive, the suspect pulled out a hidden handgun and shot and killed both troopers.

When Frank Massey, the tow truck driver, arrived to the scene he found both troopers and then was also shot by the suspect who then fled the scene. Massey still managed to get back to his truck and call for help. Roane and Clay County Deputies responded to the call and found the suspect in the woods; an exchange of gunshots followed. Roane County Deputy, John Westfall, was shot by the suspect, but fortunately, was wearing a bulletproof vest that left him wounded but alive. The suspect was killed after an exchange of fire between him and Clay County Deputies Chris Legg and Chris Davis and Corporal Robert Belt.

Today in the Senate Chamber, Bill Laird, the Senator from Fayette County and former Sheriff of Fayette County introduced Senate Bill 360 which would issue ballistic vests to deputy sheriffs upon receiving law-enforcement certification. A similar measure, House Bill 2717 was introduced in the House by lead sponsor Delegate Bob Ashley, who represents Roane County.

Senate Advances Two Bills to Third Reading

Senate Committee

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February 22, 2013

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The Senate convened this morning at 11:00 a.m. to introduce 12 bills and 1 Senate Concurrent Resolution.

The bills introduced included Senate Bill 345 which would increase the number of state troopers and their beginning pay rate.

Two bills were advanced to third reading today: Senate Bill 71 which would require that descriptions of right-of-ways and easements include width in addition to identification of the center line and Senate Bill 145 which would amend election complaint procedures.

The following committees will meet on Monday:

The Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development will meet Monday at 12:00 p.m. in 208W.
The Committee on Banking and Insurance will meet Monday at 2:00 p.m. in 208W.

The Senate will reconvene Monday at 1:00 p.m.

House Recognizes RAZE Program, Passes HB 2471

House Floor Session

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February 22, 2013

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Today in the House, members of the Institute of Architects and students from the RAZE program, a program that advocates for a tobacco free West Virginia, were recognized in the House.

The House also introduced 12 bills, including House Bill 2602,that if passed, would provide full faith and credit to nonresidents who have handgun permits or licenses in their states.

House Bill 2471, which would prohibit the restriction or otherwise lawful possession, use, carrying, transportation, transfer, display or storage of a firearm or ammunition during a declared state of emergency, was unanimously passed by the House.

House Bill 2173, which would limit certain funeral expenses to those provided by a licensed funeral director, was read for the second time.

Committees Meeting Monday:
Health and Human Resources 11:00a.m. Room 215E

Finance 2:00p.m Room 460M

The House will reconvene Monday, February 25 at 1:00p.m.

In the House

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February 21, 2013

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As of 4 p.m., Wednesday, February 20, 2013, the eighth day of the first session of the 81st Legislature, 579 bills have been introduced in the House of Delegates. The bill passed by the House was:

House Bill 2434 would give pay raises to all magistrates, magistrate assistants, magistrate court clerks, and magistrate court clerks. The bill would also ensure each official would receive equal compensation across the state.

In the Senate

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February 21, 2013

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As of 4 p.m., Wednesday, February 20, 2013, the eight day of the 1st session of the 81st Legislature, 333 bills have been introduced in the Senate. The bills passed by the Senate were:

Senate Bill 74 would redefine the basis for disqualification of perspective jurors. The bill would give the court the ability to disqualify perspective jurors based only on information provided on the juror qualification form or during an interview with a perspective juror or from other competent evidence.

Senate Bill 116 would redefine the penalty for crimes against property including graffiti. This would give first time offenders a penalty of 24 hours to 6 months of incarceration while second time offenders could face jail time along with a fine of up to $2,000, and third time offenders can face up to three years in prison and/or up to $10,000 in fines.