Today marks the last day that bills are due out of committees in their house of origin to ensure three full days for readings. There were 49 bills reported out of committee which were taken up for immediate consideration and read for the first time in the House. These bills advanced to second reading. In addition, three bills originating in the House Finance Committee were introduced, read a first time and advanced to second reading.

All bills that were on third reading were laid over on the House Special Calendar and five bills on second reading advanced to third reading.

There were 32 bills on first reading that advanced to second reading. These bills include House Bill 4082, which relates to the Public Employees Retirement System, House Bill 4421, which would repeal the corporate license tax, and House Bill 4554, which would test school bus operators every other year.

The following committees will meet today:
Judiciary – 7:30 p.m. – 410M

The House will reconvene at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, February 25.

Today, the House honored Denver Gandee, Charles Hardman and Gail King with citations recognizing their extraordinary dedication to military service and for the state of West Virginia.

Four bills were passed in the House and will now be considered in the Senate. One of these bills, House Bill 4018, would renew the West Virginia Small Business Linked Deposit Program.

There were 24 bills on second reading. Of these bills include House Bill 4023, which would deny students who withdraw from school or fail to receive passing grades a driver’s license. House Bill 4047, which would prohibit the use of cell phones and text messaging while driving, was also advanced to third reading.

In addition, there were five bills on first reading.

The following committees will meet today:
Government Organization – 12:45 p.m. – 215E
Judiciary – 1:00 p.m. – 410M

The following committees will meet Sunday, February 24:
Finance – 1:30 p.m. – 460M
Government Organization – 3:30 p.m. – 215E

The House will reconvene at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, February 24.

The House was treated to the sounds of the Tulsa High School Select Ensemble to begin this morning’s session.

The founding members of the West Virginia Music Hall of Fame were issued a citation today honoring their dedication to music and the arts. The House also recognized members of the Chapmanville Girls Softball team as the 2007 Softball State Champions and honored their coach for his many years of service to the team and athletics.

Nine bills on third reading were passed by the House. One of these bills, House Bill 4496, which would provide opportunities for members of the Teachers’ Defined Contribution Retirement System to the State Teachers Retirement System. These bills will now be sent to the Senate for its consideration.

There were 24 bills on second reading. House Bill 4047, which would prohibit the use of cell phones and text messaging while driving, was laid over on the House Special Calendar. In addition, five bills were on first reading.

The following committees will meet today:
Government Organization – 2:00 p.m. – 215E
Judiciary – 2:00 p.m. – 410M
Education – 2:30 – 452M
Subcommittee B Education – immediately following Education meeting
Finance – 2:00 p.m. – 460M

The following committees will meet tomorrow, February, 6:
Judiciary – 9:00 a.m. – 410M

Finance – 9:00 a.m. – 460M

The House will reconvene at 11:00 a.m. Friday, February 22.

The House met briefly this evening to receive committee reports.

The following committees will meet tomorrow:
Finance – 1:00 p.m. – 460M
Government Organization – 2:00 p.m. – 215E

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