Today in the Senate a bill to change parole hearings to up to three years was passed. This is the first completed piece of legislation to pass this session.

The amended bill was voted on by members of the Senate and will now make its way to the Governor’s office. House Bill 2001 will change annual parole hearings to up to every three years. Initially the bill set up annual parole hearings for those serving a life sentence with mercy and this bill will change that.

Twenty-seven bills were also introduced today, along with two resolutions. Each bill was sent to various committees for further review. Senate Bill 265 would provide for certain terms and conditions of release upon parole. This bill was sent to the committee on Judiciary for consideration.

Senate Bill 256 relates to sex offenders and Internet use. The bill would require sex offenders to verify e-mail accounts and online identities. This bill was sent to the Judiciary committee for review.

The following committees will meet today:
Health and Human Resources– 1:00 p.m.- 451M
Education– 2:00 p.m.- 451M
Finance– 3:00 p.m.- 451M

The following committees will meet tomorrow:
Labor– 9:00 a.m.- 208W
Natural Resources– 1:00 p.m.- 208W
Government Organization– 2:00- 208W
Judiciary– 3:00 p.m.- 208W
Military– 5:00 p.m.- 208W

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

What better way to usher in the passage of a bill, than a brand new gavel? Acting Senate President Jeffrey Kessler used his new gavel, made by Joint Committee staff Dennis Loudermilk, to bring the session to order. Along with this new gavel, eight bills were introduced and three resolutions were adopted.

Of the eight bills introduced, each were sent to their respective committees for further consideration. Senate Bill 60 was passed today, marking the first bill to come from the Senate this session. This bill would allow circuit court probation officers to ability to supervise sex offenders. These supervisors would be authorized by the Administrative Director of the Supreme Court of Appeals.

Senate Bill 242 was introduced today. This bill would allocate of portion of coal severance tax to the county of origin. Upon introduction, the bill was sent to the Judiciary committee for review.

A bill to protect the Chesapeake Bay Watershed was also introduced. Senate Bill 245 would set up the protection of the Chesapeake Bay water supply and prevent damage to streams and water beds in West Virginia.

The following committees will meet today:
Natural Resources– 1:00 p.m.- 208W
Finance– 3:00 p.m.- 451M
Judiciary– 3:00 p.m.- 208W

The following committees will meet tomorrow:
Economic Development– 9:00 a.m.- 451M
Finance– 10:00 a.m.- 451M
Transportation and Infrastructure– 10:00 a.m.- 208W
Government Organization– 10:30 a.m.- 208W
Health and Human Resources– 1:00 p.m.- 451M
Pensions– 1:30 p.m.- 451M
Banking and Insurance– 2:00 p.m.- 208W

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

Today in the Senate 11 bills were introduced and one resolution was adopted.

The bills that were introduced were sent to their respective committees for further review. Senate Bill 60 was read and advanced to third reading for the next floor session. This bill would allow circuit court probation officers the ability to supervise sex offenders who are on probation.

Senate Bill 236 would allow professional public school personnel to be evaluated annually. After introduction this bill was referred to one committee for evaluation.

There were also three reports from committees today. Senate Bill 89 was reported on by the Health and Human Resources committee. This bill would include certain juvenile records in exemptions for disclosure from the Freedom of Information Act. After the report was read, the bill was then referred to the Judiciary Committee.

The following committees will meet Monday:
Pensions – 1:30 p.m.- 208W
Finance – 3:00 p.m.- 451M
Judiciary – 3:00 p.m.- 208W

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

Today in the Senate, eight bills were introduced and four resolutions were adopted.

Among those resolutions adopted, Senate Resolution 9 declared that Jan. 20, 2011 be made Professional Counselor Day here at the Legislature.

Senate Bill 60 was read a first time on the floor. This bill would provide that probation officers would be allowed to supervise sex offenders who are on probation with authorization of Administrative Director of the Supreme Court of Appeals.

Senate Bill 226 was introduced, which would prevent discrimination based on age or sexual orientation. It would define the terms “age” and “sexual orientation” and help prevent these discriminatory practices in housing.

The following committees will meet today:
Health and Human Resources – Immediately following floor session- 451M
Education – 2:00 p.m.- 451M
Finance – 3:00 p.m.- 451M
Judiciary – 3:00 p.m.- 208W

The following committees will meet tomorrow:
Military – 10:00 a.m.- 208W
Transportation and Infrastructure – 10:00 a.m.- 451M

The following committees will meet Monday:
Natural Resources – 1:00 p.m.- 208W
Pensions – 2:00 p.m.- 208W

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

The Senate introduced 21 bills for the daily floor session.

Of the 21 bills introduced, a sampling included Senate Bill 202 that would create a commission to develop a pilot program to help at-risk youth, Senate Bill 204 that would require employees at certain construction projects complete an OSHA approved safety program, and Senate Bill 209 that would create a misdemeanor offense of operating a motor vehicle while texting.

The following Senate committees will meet today:
Finance – 3:00 p.m. – 451M
Government Organization – 2:00 p.m. – 208W
Health and Human Resources – 4:00 p.m. – 451M

The following Senate committees will meet tomorrow:
Fincane – 9:30 a.m. – 451M
Health and Human Resources – 1:00 p.m. – 451M
Education – 2:00 p.m. – 451M
Rules – 10:00 a.m. – President’s Conference Room

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