The House of Delegates met today, concurring with the Senate on House Bill 2001 and passing four bills.

The House concurred with the Senate on House Bill 2001, which creates the Jumpstart Savings Act. The program will help citizens embark on a new trade or establish a new business within the state.

Senate Bill 126 is a rules bundle, which authorizes the Department of Administration to create legislative rules for purchasing.

House Bill 2671 updates the financial exploitation statute. It clarifies civil complaints and petitions proceedings for financial exploitation protective orders. It also includes potential criminal penalties for violating the protection orders.

House Bill 2722 prohibits the use of class B fire-fighting foam for testing purposes if the foam contains a certain class of fluorinated organic chemicals. The bill does make exceptions for fire prevention and in case of emergency.

House Bill 2852 changes the mandate for the Department of Education to distribute before September 1 to by December 31 60 percent of the county’s share of the allowance for increased enrollment. The bill does allow for the counties to request an advance on the share they expect to receive on December 31, however it cannot exceed 60 percent of their share of projected increased enrollment.

The House is adjourned until 11 am tomorrow, March 12, 2021.

Committees

Today’s Meetings

• The Education Committee will meet at 1 pm in the House Chamber.
• The Committee on Health and Human Resources will meet at 1 pm in Room 215E.
• The Committee on Energy and Manufacturing will meet at 3 pm in the House Chamber.

Tomorrow’s Meetings

• The Committee on Technology and Infrastructure will meet at 8 am in the House Chamber.
• The Committee on LOCEA will meet at 8 am in Room 434M.
• The Finance Committee will meet at 9 am in the House Chamber.
• The Judiciary Committee will meet at 10 am in Room 215E.
• The Rules Committee will meet at 10:45 in Room 434M.

The House advanced nine bills today and concurred with the Senate a bill, completing six pieces of legislation and advancing four bills for Senate consideration. The House also adopted House Resolution 8 to honor Officer Cassie Johnson.

Senate Bill 372 grants the West Virginia Board of Medicine more discretion to approve graduate clinical training.

Senate Bill 272 creates the West Virginia Employment Law Worker Classification Act, which clarifies the classifications of independent contractors and employees. It also states who is qualifies for worker compensation and unemployment compensation within the classifications.

Senate Bill 277 creates the COVID-19 Jobs Protection Act, which provides immunity from civil liability for damages for an injury resulting from exposure to COVID-19 on the premises owned or managed by another person.

House Bill 2598 changes the definition of an above ground storage tank, specifically brine storage tanks. Opponents stated concerns of potential chemical leaks into public water systems. Supporters of the bill emphasized the likelihood of dangerous chemicals being in these tanks is very minute and that brine is primarily salt water. The bill advances to the Senate.

House Bill 2674 codifies current practices by updating the required credentials for certified registered nurse anesthetists who cooperates with a physician or dentist. The bill advances to the Senate.

The House is adjourned until 11 am tomorrow, March 11, 2021.

Committees

Today’s Meetings

• The Committee on Prevention and Treatment of Substance Abuse will meet at 2:30 pm in Room 215E.
• The Committee on Technology and Infrastructure will meet at 3 pm in the House Chamber.
• The Committee on Veterans Affairs and Homeland Security will meet at 2 pm in 215E.
• The Committee on Senior, Children, and Family Issues will meet at 4 pm in Room 215E.
• The Workforce Development Committee will meet at 4 pm in the House Chamber.
• The PEIA Sub Committee will meet at 4 pm in Room 410M.

Tomorrow’s Meetings

• The Finance Committee will meet at 9 am in the House Chamber.
• The Judiciary Committee will meet at 9 am in Room 410M.
• The Rules Committee will meet at 10:45 in 434M.
• The Committee on Energy and Manufacturing will meet at 3 pm in the House Chamber.

The House met today and passed two bills.

House Bill 2906 increases the School Building Authority’s discretion for maintenance spending to 10 percent on multi-county vocation schools.

Senate Bill 270 allows the collection of the hotel occupancy tax by marketplace facilitators.

Of the seven bills on second reading, Senate Bill 216 and Senate Bill 277 were amended. Senate Bill 272 and House Bill 2674 advanced to third with the right to amend.

Committees

Today

• The Committee on Government Organization will meet at 2 pm in Room 215E.
• The Education Committee will meet at 2 pm in the House Chamber.
• The Judiciary Committee will meet at 4 pm in Room 215E.
• The Finance Committee will meet at 4 pm in the House Chamber.

Tomorrow

• The Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources will meet at 8 am in Room 215E.
• The Committee on Fire and EMS will meet tomorrow at 9 am in Room 215E.
• The Committee on Banking and Insurance will meet tomorrow at 9 am in the House Chamber.
• The Committee on Pensions and Retirement will meet at 10 am in Room 410E.
• The Committee on Small Business, Entrepreneurship, and Economic Development will meet at 10 am in Room 215E.
• The Rules Committee will meet at 10:45 am in Room 410M.
• The Committee on Prevention and Treatment of Substance Abuse will meet at 1 pm in Room 215E.
• The Committee on Political Subdivisions will meet at 1 pm in the House Chamber.
• The Committee on Technology and Infrastructure will meet at 2 pm in the House Chamber.
• The Committee on Veterans Affairs and Homeland Security will meet at 2 pm in 215E.
• The Committee on Senior, Children, and Family Issues will meet at 3 pm in Room 215E.
• The Workforce Development Committee will meet at 4 pm in the House Chamber.
• The Sub Committee for Health and Human Resources will meet at 4 pm in Room 410M.

Today, the House of Delegates passed ten bills to the Senate including House Bill 2335 and House Bill 2363.

House Bill 2335 increases the penalty for driving under the influence with a child in the vehicle. It also increases the penalty for the individual driving under the influence causing an accident resulting in the death of a child.

House Bill 2362, “Best Interest of the Child Protection Act of 2021,” establishes initial custody arrangements to be 50/50 between the parents. To change the 50/50 split, one parent must prove the other parent to be incompetent, neglectful, or abusive. The bill would allow for petitions to reopen already settled custody cases.

Opponents of the bill believe the 50/50 custody offers several issues, including loss of stability, insurance, and judge’s discretion. Proponents believe the 50/50 custody will allow children time with both parents and other siblings.

The House is adjourned until 11 am tomorrow, March 9, 2021.

Committees

Today

• The Committee on Government Organization will meet at 1 pm in Room 215E.
• The Education Committee will meet at 1:30 pm in the House Chamber.
• The Finance Committee will meet at 4 pm in the House Chamber.
• The Committee on Technology and Infrastructure will meet at 6 pm in the House Chamber.

Tomorrow

• The Committee on Health and Human Resources will meet at 9 am in Room 215E.
• The Committee on Energy and Manufacturing will meet at 9 am in the House Chamber.
• The Rules Committee will meet at 10:45 in Room 410M.
• The Committee on Government Organization will meet at 2 pm in Room 215E.