Two bills completed the committee process and were reported to the House floor yesterday. Today these bills were read a first time on the House Calendar and advanced to second reading. The House also introduced 4 more bills during today’s session. House Bill 4047 , would prohibit the use of cell phone and text-messaging devices while operating a motor vehicle except when using a hands-free device or in the case of an emergency. Another bill, , provides that all employees have the right to review and copy the contents of their personnel file. House Bill 4048.

The following committees will meet today:
Education – 1:00 p.m. – 432M
Government Organization – 1:00p.m. – 215E
Finance – 1:00 p.m. – 465M

The following committees will meet tomorrow:
Health and Human Resources – 4:00 p.m. – 439M
Political Subdivisions – 3:00 p.m. – 215E
Veterans Affairs – 1:00 p.m. – 215E

The House adjourned until 11:00 a.m. tomorrow, January 16.

The House of Delegates introduced 9 more bills during today’s session. One of these bills, House Bill 4041 , deals with the regulation and treatment of the production of natural gas and coalbed methane. Another bill introduced was, House Bill 4042, a bipartisan effort that is known as the Joint Parenting Act. Each of the bills introduced were referred to the appropriate committees.

The following committees will meet today:

Finance – 1:00 p.m. – 465M
Judiciary – 2:00 p.m. – 210W
Education – 2:00 p.m. – 432M

The following committees will meet tomorrow, January 15:

Finance – 9:00 a.m. – 465M
Judiciary – 9:00 a.m. – 210W
Education – 1:00 p.m. – 432M

The House adjourned until 11:00 a.m. tomorrow, January 15.

The House of Delegates met briefly today and introduced 10 new bills, which were then referred to the appropriate committees. Included in those bills is the bipartisan House Bill 4037. This bill would reduce the state income tax liability for certain retired public employees.

The following House Committees will meet Monday, January 14, 2008:
Finance – 1:00 p.m. – 465M
Judiciary – 2:00 p.m. – 210W
Health and Human Resources – 4:00 p.m. – 439M

The House adjourned until 11:00 a.m Monday, January 14, 2008.

The House of Delegates briefly met today and introduced 13 new bills which were referred to their appropriate committee. Included in the bills introduced were several proposals the Governor highlighted in his State-of-the-State address. One of these bills, House Bill 4022,would establish the Indigent Defense Commission to assist Public Defender Services. The committees will begin studying their assigned issues in the coming days and weeks.

The following House Committees will meet today:
Finance – 1:00 p.m – Room 460M

The following House Committees will meet tomorrow, Friday, January 11, 2008:
Judiciary – 9:00 a.m – Room 410M
Government Organization – 9:30 a.m – Room 215E

The House adjourned until 11:00 a.m. tomorrow, January 11, 2008.

The House and Senate reconvened at 7:00pm for a joint session in the House Chamber for Governor Manchin’s presentation of the 2008 State-of-the-State address.

The Governor presented the legislature with his proposed legislation for the upcoming session, including the 2008 Budget Bill. ( Senate Bill 150 and House Bill 4014)

The House and Senate met briefly afterwards to advance the new legislation to the appropriate committees.

The Senate and House of Delegates will reconvene tomorrow, Thursday, January 10, 2008 at 11:00am in their respective chambers.