The Senate Judiciary Committee has approved four House bills to be reported to the floor with the recommendation that they pass.
HB 2219 would authorize the Commissioner of Agriculture to promulgate 49 legislative rules relating to Livestock Care Standards.
Senator Ronald Miller, D-Greenbrier, withdrew his amendment pertaining to hunting tagged deer, which had been pending since the committee’s last meeting.
Crescent Gallagher of the Dept. of Agriculture said the Division of Natural Resources (DNR) were in agreement about certain rules senators were concerned about during the last meeting.
DNR Deputy Director Emily Fleming said DNR was kept very involved with rules the Dept. of Agriculture would promulgate for the division.
HB 2373 would authorize school bus drivers trained in administration of epinephrine auto-injectors to administer auto-injectors to students or school personnel experiencing an anaphylactic reaction.
The bill would also make school bus drivers immune from liability for use of an epinephrine auto-injector except in cases of gross negligence or willful misconduct.
HB 2319 would require members of the Legislature to disclose contributions and fund-raising events while the Legislature is in session.
The bill specifically requires the information to be provided within five days of an event or a receipt of contribution, and requires the Secretary of State to publish such information on the Secretary of State’s website within one day.
Senator Robert Karnes, R-Upshur, proposed an amendment to incorporate the Board of Public Works into the bill and maintain regular reporting without being “overly excessive” with reporting requirements.
Karnes’s amendment was rejected.
Lead sponsor of the bill, Delegate Jill Upson, R-Jefferson, said she created the bill to add another layer of transparency to ensure the timely reporting of financing by legislators during session.
HB 2083 would increase imprisonment lengths and fines for exposing children to methamphetamine manufacturing.
The committee will next meet 3 p.m. Monday, March 3, in room 208W. The agenda has been posted.
