The Senate Finance Committee discussed six bills today.
Senate Bill 437 would discontinue the West Virginia Greyhound Breeding Fund. Yesterday there were concerns about distributions of funds from certain casino and race track activities no longer going to employee pensions. The committee added to the bill to ensure the pensions would stay secure.
A representative of the West Virginia Kennel Association said, “This legislation could end 1,700 jobs. This is going to cost more than it will get. Unemployment costs could go up and many West Virginian families may have to relocate.”
The bill was reported to the Senate floor with the recommendation that it pass.
Senate Bill 60 relates to eligibility and fraud requirements for public assistance. This bill would restrict SNAP benefits to those who have committed fraud against public assistance or those who are over six months behind on child support payments. The bill would require a computerized identity process for those applying for public assistance. About 7,000 of those getting SNAP benefits would have to start in a program to begin working as they are able bodies adults.
Senator Gaunch (R-Kanawha) asked, “Is there anything in this bill that would cause people to lose their benefits who deserve them?”
The representative said they would keep their benefits.
Senator Stollings (D-Boone) clarified for the committee that the state would be saving over $1 million if the bill is passed.
Senator Unger (D-Berkeley) asked, “If the legislature was to take the cowardly way out and cut and run. What would that do to DHHR in relation of that bill?”
The chair of the committee, Senator Hall (R-Putnam) said, “If we pass something out of this committee, it is the will of the Senate and we will fund it.”
Senator Palumbo (D-Kanawha) moved to amend the bill to make the language regarding the phase in requirement of the bill clearer. The amendment was adopted.
Senator Facemire (D-Braxton) said the bill only would affect 0.00018 of the population and wondered if the bill was really worth the trouble it could cause.
Senator Gaunch said the bill addresses a lot of issues that are happening with SNAP and the people of West Virginia deserve to have be financially responsible.
The bill was reported to the floor with the recommendation that it pass as amended.
Senate Bill 493 would provide an increase in compensation for conservation officers to be closer to what usual police officers receive.
The bill was reported to the floor of the Senate with the recommendation that it pass.
Senate Bill 566 relates to claims against the state. The subcommittee on the bill met and suggested that the claims discussed in the bill be paid as moral obligation of the state.
The bill was reported to the floor of the Senate with the recommendation that it pass.
Senate Bill 453 would add classification and base salaries of certain civilian employees of the West Virginia State Police Forensic Laboratory.
The bill was reported to the floor of the Senate with the recommendation that it pass.
A Senate Bill originating would exempt certain DHHR facilities from statewide purchasing requirements. These facilities are nursing homes and psychiatric facilities. The bill was reported to the floor with the recommendation that it pass.
