Members of the House adopted House Concurrent Resolution 27, which would designate “Almost Heaven — West Virginia — Wild and Wonderful” as the official roadway welcome slogan of the State of West Virginia. The resolution will now be sent to the Senate for its consideration.

The House passed three bills today. These bills were House Bill 2711, which would allow fire officers to use adjacent property to prevent a fire from spreading; House Bill 4052, which would develop a uniform maternal risk screening tool to serve as an alert to medical care providers in evaluation and assessment of high-risk pregnancies; and House Bill 4099, which would allow vehicles designated by the Secretary of the Department of Military Affairs and Public Safety for emergency response by the Division of Corrections, Regional Jail and Correctional Facility Authority and Division of Juvenile Services to use red flashing lights.

The House adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution 34, which amends the Joint Rules of the House and the Senate. The resolution adds Joint Rule 32, which relates to petitions regarding county commissions.

The following committees will meet today:
Health and Human Resources Subcommittee B – 12:30 p.m. – 252
Government Organization – 1:00 p.m. – 215E
Finance – 1:45 p.m. – 460M
Education – 2:00 p.m. – 432M
Judiciary – 2:00 p.m. – 410M
Joint Judiciary & Finance – 3:00 p.m. – House Chamber
Health and Human Resources – 4:00 p.m. – 215E
Senior Citizens Issues – 4:00 p.m. – 215E

The following committees will meet tomorrow, February, 4:
Finance – 9:00 a.m. – 460M
Health and Human Resources – 9:00 a.m. – 215E
Judiciary – 9:00 a.m. – 410M
Government Organization – 1:30 p.m. – 215E
Judiciary Subcommittee C – 2:00 p.m. – 410M
Banking & Insurance – 4:00 p.m. – 252

The House will reconvene at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, February 5.

Members of the House adopted Resolution 16, which honors the late William “Bill” Slonaker, a former representative in the House of Delegates. The resolution honors his dedication as a public servant and for his work in the farming industry.

The House passed six bills today. These bills include House Bill 4116, which would update terms in West Virginia Personal Income Tax Act, and House Bill 4021, which would revise mining safety equipment requirements and enhance penalties for crimes against mining property.

One bill was introduced. House Bill 4032, would allow the payment of wages made through a direct deposit system that uses an automated teller machine card or other means of electronic transfer.

The following committees will meet Monday, February 4:
Roads and Transportation – 10:30 a.m. – 315E
Heath and Human Resources Subcommittee B – 12:30 p.m. – 252
Finance – 1:30 – 460M

Education – 2:00 p.m. – 343
Health and Human Resources – 4:00 p.m. – 315E

The House will reconvene at 11:00 a.m. Monday, February 4.

Members of the House adopted Resolution 15, which designates January 31, 2008 as Animal Appreciation Day. This resolution calls to honor the 97 humane societies and animal shelters in West Virginia to continue their work in protecting animals across the state.

The House passed House Bill 4053, which would protect consumers from unsolicited and fraudulent offers from unsolicited pop-up electronic mail known as spyware. The bill will now be considered in the Senate.

There were six bills on second reading today, including House Bill 4028, which would authorize counties and municipalities to enter into energy-saving contracts, and House Bill 4125, which would increase the faculty senate funds available to classroom teachers and librarians.

The House also introduced 24 new bills, including House Bill 4358, which would make it a misdemeanor for an owner or manager of an elephant to engage in abusive behavior toward the elephant, and House Bill 4368, which would reduce acts of student violence and disruptive behavior and increase penalties for chronically disruptive students.

The following committees will meet today:
Judiciary Subcommittee A – 1:00 p.m. – 410M
Finance – 1:00 p.m. – 460M
Health & Human Resources – 1:30 p.m. – 215E
Education Subcommittee B – 1:30 p.m. – 432M
Judiciary – 2:00 p.m. – 410M
Select Committee on Senior Citizens Issues – 4:00 p.m. – 215E

The following committees will meet tomorrow, February 1:
Veterans Affairs – 9:00 a.m. – House Chamber
Education Subcommittee B – 10:00 a.m. – 432M

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

Ruth Sullivan was honored today in the House for her lifetime achievements in her battle for improving the livelihood of autistic people. She was one of the founders of the National Society of Autistic Children and served as its first president. She also founded one of the first classrooms for autistic children. Her ambition to educate children with autism led to the creation of The Autism Service Center, which currently serves 365 children. After they presented Sullivan with her citation, the House vowed to address this issue.

Three bills were passed by the House and sent to the Senate for approval. The committee substitute for House Bill 4092 would require a person to pass an examination in order to be licensed as a forester or forestry technician, and clarifies and updates the board’s rule-making authority. Upon a vacancy on the Board of Foresters, the Governor will appoint a new registered foretry technician, with the consent of the Senate, from the ten nominees recommended by the West Virginia Chapter of the Society of American Foresters

One bill, House Bill 4053, was on second reading. House Bill 4053 would amend the West Virginia Computer Crime and Abuse Act to better improve computer users and operators.

Six bills were on first reading today. One bill, House Bill 3122 allows members of the National Guard or reserve component who have completed their military obligation with an honorable discharge or service connected disability discharge to be considered eligible for job training and employment preference.

The following committees will meet today:

Industry and Labor – 1:15p.m. – 215E
Roads and Transportation – 2:00p.m. – 215E
Constitutional Revision – 2:00p.m. – 418
Political Subdivisions – 3:00p.m. – 215E
Health and Human Resources – 4:00p.m. – 215E

The following committees will meet tomorrow:

Education Subcommittee A – 9:00a.m. – 434
Judiciary Subcommittee B – 9:00a.m. – 418
Judiciary Subcommittee A – 1:00p.m. – 418
Senior Issues – 4:00p.m. – 215E

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