The Senate Judiciary Committee has approved three bills and an originating joint resolution to be reported to the floor with the recommendation that they pass.
HB 2868 would clarify that presumed abandoned property in the form of amounts owed by an insurer on a life or endowment insurance policy or an annuity that has matured or terminated, and obligations related thereto, are guided by the policies, requirements and interpretations of the Insurance Commissioner.
Christina Merbedone, assistant director of Unclaimed Property, said the Treasurer’s Office is against the bill due to certain amendments made to the bill in the House before coming to Senate Judiciary that would remove the Treasurer from having administration over unclaimed property.
SB 592 would provide for an independent redistricting commission to propose redistricting plans during census years.
According to counsel, the commission’s main task is to propose plans to the Legislature based on Constitutional and legal requirements and considerations and which is removed from stark political aspirations or concerns.
Senator Mike Romano, D-Harrison, made a motion that would lay the bill over until Friday, March 24, to allow the committee more time to study the lengthy provisions of the bill.
Originating Joint Resolution #1 would propose an amendment to the state constitution to eliminate the office of county surveryor.
John Green of the West Virginia Society of Professional Surveyors said the society opposes the bill and he hopes the committee will reject it.
Counsel said only 9 individuals were elected to county surveyor roles out of all 55 counties.
HB 2001 would modify the ethics and purchasing laws to provide more transparency in government.
The committee heard the subcommittee report for the bill and approved the amendments suggested by the subcommittee as detailed in the report.
Rebecca Steptoe of the State Ethics Commission said the commission has reviewed the changes of the bill, and she made some suggestions for small improvements that could be made to the bill.
Senator Mike Romano, D-Harrison, made an amendment that would allow the quorum number to decrease to two-thirds when there are vacancies on the ethics board. The amendment was rejected.
Those in opposition cited the possibility that too many vacancies would allow board members of particular parties to gang up against a party that might be in the minority due to the vacancies for rejecting the amendment.
