The House opened with a special presentation of the flags by the West Virginia Division of Corrections Color Guard to commemorate House Resolution 30, which designated today as “Corrections Day.”

There were nine bills that passed after third reading. Some of those bills included House Bill 2444, which would establish a Legislative Oversight Commission on Long-Term Care that has responsibility for reviewing the long-term care system and making recommendations for improvement; House Bill 2950, which would create the Neighborhood Housing and Economic Stabilization Program for low-income minority neighborhoods; and House Bill 2969, which would require firefighters to have annual hazardous materials training.

The following committees will meet Today:

Judiciary – 1:30 p.m. – 410M
Subcommittee C on Judiciary – Immediately following Judiciary – 410M
Subcommittee C on Education – 1:30 p.m. – 434
Subcommittee B on Insurance – 2:00 p.m. – 215E
Health & Human Resources – 3:00 p.m. – 215E
Subcommittee B on Health & Human Resources – 3:00 p.m. – 215E
Subcommittee C on Natural Resources – 3:00 p.m. – 204

The following committees will meet Tuesday, March 17:

Subcommittee on Education – 9:00 a.m. – 434
Finance – 1:30 p.m. – 460M

The House will reconvene Tuesday, March 17 at 11:00 a.m.

The House designated the month of March 2009 as “American Red Cross Month” with House Resolution 29. The Red Cross brought along Ernie the Emergency Response Vehicle, an interactive remote control car. Children from Harrisville Elementary in Ritchie County (pictured) interacted with the educational miniature car.

The Frasure-Singleton interns were recognized as intern Jonathan Storage gave a speech on his and his fellow interns’ experiences of the week. He emphasized the professional and educational benefits of the internship program in which they learned by doing instead of studying in the classroom.

Doorkeeper Michael Harrison was recognized as this week’s winner of the Capital Steps Program. Capitol Steps is a walking program sponsored by the Mountain State Blue Cross Blue Shield that encourages workers from the Capitol to walk more and engage in more physical activities. The program will run the entire length of session.

Several bills were presented on second reading, including House Bill 2444, which would create the Legislative Oversight Commission on Long-Term Care and House Bill 2788, which would protect incapacitated adults from abuse or neglect by a care giver.

A number of resolutions were adopted today designating several bridge names. Some of those resolutions included House Resolution 14 naming the “Corporal William Dely Memorial Bridge,” House Resolution 18 naming the “Chief Master Sergeant George Wallace Hedrick, Jr, Bridge,” and House Resolution 21 naming the “Staff Sgt. Jeremy Alexander Brown Memorial Bridge.”

The following committees will meet Monday March 16:

Banking and Insurance – 9:00 a.m. – 215E
Health and Human Resources – 3:00 p.m. – 215E
Subcommittee C on Natural Resources – 3:00 p.m. – 204E

The House will reconvene Monday, March 16 at 11:00 a.m.

Today in the House, a formal citation was presented to the West Virginia Federation of Democratic Women in recognition of their outstanding dedication and commitment to their party and the election process throughout West Virginia.

The House adopted House Resolution 28, which designated March 12, 2009 as West Virginia Press Association Day. This June marks the 140th anniversary of the West Virginia Press Association. At the time of conception, there were 52 newspapers in publication in the mountain state. Today, the Association represents 24 daily and 62 weekly newspaper throughout West Virginia.

Three bills were passed in the House today, bringing the total thus far to 30. Of those passed, House Bill 2931 would remove a severance tax on timber for tax years 2010 through 2013.

The following House Committees will meet today:

Education (Sub Committee A) – 1:30 p.m. – 434M
Education – 2:00 p.m. – House Chamber
Judiciary – 2:00 p.m. – 215E
Judiciary (Sub Committee C) – 3:00 p.m. – 432M

The following House Committees will meet tomorrow:

Health and Human Resources (Sub Committee A) – 9:00 a.m. – 215E
Judiciary – 9:30 a.m. – 215E

The House will reconvene Friday, March 13 at 11:00 a.m.

Senate Bill 403, will make supplemental appropriations from the State Road Fund to The Department of Transportation. The overall effect of this bill is a net increase in spending authority by $124 million. This bill will be returned to the Senate for approval. Once the message is received, the bill will be sent to the Governor for approval or veto.

Five other bills were passed today. House Bill 2404 would relate to inmate reimbursement for medical services provided to persons held in regional jails. House Bill 2539 would authorize professional licensing boards to combine administrative staff functions. House Bill 2684 would establish the West Virginia Drug Offender Accountability Act. House Bill 2719 would increase the maximum alcohol level in the state definition of “nonintoxicating beer.” House Bill 2801 would update language and make technical changes and clarifications of the West Virginia Board of Medicine.

Five bills were presented on first reading. House Bill 2795 would create a special hunting and fishing license for persons with a life-threatening condition who are under 21 years of age. House Bill 2869 would lengthen the time frame for the filing of post-primary and post general campaign financial statements. House Bill 2931 would remove a severance tax on timber for tax years 2010 through 2013. House Bill 2950 would create the Neighborhood Housing and Economic Stabilization Program for low-income minority neighborhoods. House Bill 2841 would extend the time for the city council of Richwood to meet as a levying body.

In addition, 23 bills were introduced today. This brings the total of bills that have been introduced since the beginning of this session to 1080. House Bill 3058 would eliminate the use of light plastic bags. House Bill 3064 provide that persons sixty-five years of age and older may be admitted to athletic and other extracurricular activities of secondary schools without payment of admission fees. House Bill 3072 provide a full tax deduction for the purchase of a new automobile and providing an exemption from the sales tax in the tax year 2009.

The following committees will meet today:
Energy, Industry and Labor, Economic Development and Small Business – 1:00 p.m. – 460M
Political Subdivisions – 1:00 p.m. – 215E
Judiciary – 1:30 p.m. – 410M
Roads and Transportation – 2:00 p.m. – 215E
Senior Citizen Issues – 3:00 p.m. – 215E
Federal Stimulus Utilization – 4:00 p.m. – 460M
Health and Human Resources – 4:00 p.m. – 215E

The following committees will meet tomorrow:

Judiciary – 8:30 a.m. – 410M
Finance – 9:00 a.m. – 460M
Judiciary Subcommittee A – 9:00 a.m. – 410M
Finance – 1:00 p.m. – 460M
Education Subcommittee A – 2:00 p.m. – House Chamber
Banking and Insurance – 3:00 p.m. – 252

The House will reconvene Thursday, March 12 at 11:00 a.m.