The Senate Government Organization Committee has approved six bills to be reported to the full Senate with the recommendation that they pass.
SB 74 would allow fire departments to charge fees for service calls.
Vivian Parsons, executive director of the West Virginia County Commissioners Association, said she had “a little bit of concern” about
Senator Douglas Facemire, D-Braxton, proposed an amendment to the bill that would require homeowners insurance policies to cover fire service fees in residential situations. The amendment was rejected.
Jill Rice of the West Virginia Insurance Federation was available to answer questions from members of the committee.
SB 433 would permit counties to increase the excise tax on the privilege of transferring real property.
The fiscal not for the bill shows there would be an increase in County Commission revenues of up to $5.1 million if all fifty-five counties increased their rate.
Parsons said the West Virginia County Commissioners Association “wholeheartedly” supports passage of the bill.
SB 602 would create a uniform system of recording and indexing of fictitious names used by sole proprietors in this state.
Steve Connolly, deputy Secretary of State, was available to discuss the provisions of the bill with members.
Patty Hamilton of the West Virginia Association of Counties, said the Association approves of the bill.
SB 658 would establish a procedure whereby mobile and manufactured homes may be retitled provided certain conditions are met.
Andy Gallagher, executive director of the West Virginia Housing Institute, said the Institute had no objections to the bill.
Gallagher said all surrounding states already have passed similar bills.
Committee counsel spoke on behalf of the Division of Motor Vehicles to share their concerns toward the “over-burdensome” nature of the bill.
Senator Craig Blair, R-Berkeley, Chair, formed three subcommittees to evaluate Senate Bills 534, 502 and 294.
Senator Corey Palumbo, D-Kanawha, will serve as Chair, and Senators Ed Gaunch, R-Kanawha, and Tom Takubo, R-Kanawha, will serve as members in a subcommittee to look at SB 534, which would create incentives for local governments to consolidate in an effort to save money on local services.
Senator Glenn Jeffries, D-Putnam, will serve as Chair, and Senators Ryan Weld, R-Mercer, and Randy Smith, R-Tucker, will serve as members in a subcommittee to look at SB 502, which would permit the West Virginia National Guard to contract out and hire persons to perform specialized technical services.
Senator Ronald Miller, D-Greenbrier, will serve as Chair, and Senators Ed Gaunch, R-Kanawha, and Dave Sypolt, R-Preston, will serve as members in a subcommittee to look at SB 294, which would create the Community Sustainability Investment Pilot Program as a matching grant program to foster the development of creative communities in West Virginia.
The committee will meet at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday in 208W, where they will pick up with Senate Bills 408 and 412.
