Today, the Senate and the House of Delegates each passed a bill, which would provide for a special primary and general election to fill a vacancy in the office of Governor. The Senate also passed a bill, which would appropriate funds to finance the special elections.

House Bill 2853 would provide that the special primary election be held on May 14, 2011 and the special general election be held on September 13, 2011.

In contrast, Senate Bill 261 would provide that the special primary election be held on June 20, 2011 and the special general election be held on October 4, 2011.

Senate Bill 342 would make an appropriation of $8,000,000 from fiscal year 2011’s surplus to fund the special primary and general elections. Any unspent balance remaining in this appropriation would return to the general fund for fiscal year 2012.

Each bill was sent to the other chamber for deliberation and consideration.

Today at the Capitol visitors were greeted with glimpse into the rich, artisan heritage of West Virginia. Scattered around the rotunda were hand-made crafts and performers to showcase the arts and culture from across the state.

Charles Bradley is a retired blacksmith who has been celebrating this great state since 1970. Along with fellow members from the West Augusta Volunteers, Bradley has been displaying his craftsmanship at the Heritage Farm in Huntington for years. The West Augusta Volunteers is part of a living history camp that specializes in history from the 1750s through 1860s.

With a passion for history, Bradley has been helping recreate the buildings at Heritage Farm and providing them with hand-crafted doorknobs and artistry. He and his wife have been a part of this camp for nearly 10 years.

Reddog Monroe, also a member of the West Augusta Volunteers, has been creating authentic, hand-sewn items to honor the past. His pouches and leather work are very elaborate and provide people with a valuable look into years gone by.

The culture of West Virginia runs deep and the members of this camp help celebrate that culture. With a dedication and passion for their craft, they are giving meaning to the slogan, a window to our past, a doorway to our future.

Today the House honored the service of General Allen B. Tackett with the passage of a resolution and additionally passed one bill during a brief morning session.

The House passed House Resolution 14 which honors the 48 years of service and career of Allen B. Tackett, the longest-serving Adjunct General of the West Virginia National Guard. Tackett, along with members of his family and representatives from the House, took the floor in celebration of its passage.

In addition, the House also passed House Bill 2551 which would make comprehensive revision to the state’s trust laws by substantially enacting the Uniform Trust Code and integrating it into the existing statutes in West Virginia which deal with trusts.

House Bill 2451 and House Bill 2539 were read for a second time and will advance to third reading.

Also, House Bill 2400, House Bill 2505, House Bill 2522, House Bill 2550, House Bill 2697, House Bill 2742, House Bill 2818 and House Bill 2845 were read for the first time and will advance to second reading.

The following committees will meet today:
Finance – 1:30 p.m. – 460M
Judiciary – 1:30 p.m. – 410M
Health and Human Resources – 4:00 p.m. – 215E

The following committees will meet tomorrow:
Finance – 9:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. – 460M
Judiciary – 9:00 a.m. – 410M

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

Today the House passed three bills during a brief morning session.

The House passed House Bill 2517 which would allow Correctional Industries to directly purchase workers’ compensation coverage for inmates rather than having the private employer purchase such coverage, House Bill 2520 which would amend current law so that this section applies to someone who has not reached their twenty-fourth birthday at the time of the indictment or information upon which the imposition of sentence is being suspended pursuant to this section and committed to the custody of the Division of Corrections to be assigned to a center, and House Bill 2648 which would increase the faculty senate allotment for classroom teachers and librarians from $50 to $100, to be spent on academic materials, supplies or equipment to enhance instruction. This bill was also voted to be put into effect July 1, 2011.

House Bill 2551 was read for a second time and will advance to third reading. Also, House Bill 2451 and House Bill 2539 were read for the first time and will advance to second reading.

The following committees will meet Monday, January 31:
Finance – 1:30 p.m. – 460M
Judiciary – 1:00 p.m. – 410M
Health and Human Resources – 4:00 p.m. – 215E

The House will reconvene Monday, January 31 at 11:00 a.m.

Today the House introduced 15 bills and passed one.

The House passed House Bill 2525 which concerns the practice of social work.

House Bill 2517, House Bill 2520 and House Bill 2648 were read for a second time and will advance to third reading. Also, House Bill 2551 was read for the first time and will advance to second reading.

Additionally, the House adopted two resolutions. House Resolution 12 that encourages West Virginia’s middle and high schools to help promote breast cancer awareness by hosting “pink” sports and recreational events during the month of October and House Resolution 13 to recognize the West Virginia Press Association on January 27, 2011

The following committees will meet today:
Finance – 1:00 p.m. – 460M
Judiciary – 1:00 p.m. – 410M
Government Organization – 1:30 p.m. – 215E
Education – 2:00 p.m. – 434M

The following committees will meet tomorrow:
Judiciary – 9:00 a.m. – 460M
Education – 9:00 a.m. – 410M
Finance – 9:00 a.m. – 410M

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