The Senate passed an e-commerce modernization bill Monday that would require government entities in the state to accept all payments electronically.

Senate Bill 280 would allow West Virginia residents and businesses to pay taxes and fees for government services online in all 55 counties. The legislation would require all county and local governments, as well as state government, to begin accepting payments electronically on a platform set up by the state treasurer’s office.

The bill would guarantee by March 1, 2023, West Virginia citizens and businesses could pay any tax, fee, fine or other payment to the state or any political subdivision online.

Also on Monday, a bill that would create a WVU Rifle Team Check-Off Program on hunting and fishing license purchases passed, as did a bill that would spell out in state code that work stoppages or strikes by public employees are illegal.

These measures move to the House of Delegates for consideration.

The Senate has adjourned until tomorrow, Feb. 23 at 11 a.m.

Judiciary will meet at 3 p.m. in 208W

Finance will meet at 3 p.m. in 451M

The committee on the Military will meet tomorrow at 10 a.m. in 208W

Transportation and Infrastructure will meet tomorrow at 10 a.m. in 451M

Live streaming of meetings is available on our Legislature Live page.

The Senate passed a bill creating the Covid-19 Jobs Protection Act, as well as a measure relating to the West Virginia Employment Law Worker Classification Act, during Friday’s floor session.

Senate Bill 277, the Covid-19 Jobs Protection Act, 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, so long as that person was acting in compliance or consistent with applicable federal or state regulations, an Executive Order of the Governor, or other such guidance.

Immunity does not apply to willful or wanton misconduct, reckless or intentional infliction of harm, or gross negligence. The legislation is retroactive to the date on which the state of emergency was declared in West Virginia.

Senate Bill 272, which relates to the West Virginia Employment Law Worker Classification Act, is intended to simplify criteria used to define independent contractors, and to impose objective standards on the differences between independent contractors and employees

These bills now head to the House of Delegates for consideration.

Senate Bills 361-371 were introduced today.

The Senate is adjourned until Monday, Feb. 22 at 11 a.m.

During floor session on Thursday, the Senate suspended the constitutional rules requiring a bill be read on three separate days, to complete action on two yearly tax update measures that become the first two bills completed during the 2021 Regular Session.

The legislation, House Bill 2358 and House Bill 2359, update the meaning of federal adjusted gross income and federal taxable income as it relates to the West Virginia Personal Income Tax Act and the West Virginia Corporation Net Income Tax Act.

Also on Thursday, the body passed Senate Bill 14, which would provide additional options for alternative certification for teachers and Senate Bill 15, which relates to in-field master’s degrees for teachers.

Senate Bill 15 prohibits teachers from receiving a pay increase “for any education level above A.B. plus 15” unless they have received a master’s degree that directly connects to their field. This would not affect teachers who are currently teaching and have already received a master’s degree, regardless of field.

The intent is to encourage teachers to pursue master’s degrees in the subjects they teach to help strengthen their effectiveness. They would receive a salary increase once the degree is attained.

These bills now head to the House for consideration.

The Senate also introduced 35 bills on Thursday.

The Senate has adjourned until tomorrow, Feb. 19 at 11 a.m.

The Senate has a full committee schedule this afternoon as follows:

Health and Human Resources will meet at 1 p.m. in 451M.

Government Organization will meet at 2 p.m. in 208W.

Education will meet at 2 p.m. in 451M.

Judiciary will meet at 3 p.m. in 208W.

Finance will meet today at 3 p.m. and tomorrow at 9 a.m. in 451M.