The Senate has passed six bills today to be sent to the House for further consideration.
SB 212 would remove the Division of Motor Vehicles from the administration of license suspension and revocation in cases where an individual is charged with driving under the influence. Broadly, the bill transfers all decision-making concerning the suspension, revocation and/or reinstatement of an individual’s driver’s license to the courts. The courts then make determinations concerning a driver’s license in accordance with certain procedures, and all within the context of the criminal action.
Senator Charles Trump, R-Morgan, said the bill would also essentially eliminate the Office of Administrative Hearings, since he said the Office has been “inefficient and unnecessary” in handling DMV cases.
Those against the bill suggested that its passage could create more DUI-related deaths and said many sheriffs and prosecutors who are often involved with those cases do not support the bill.
Trump argued the opposite, as those convicted of a DUI would be more quickly penalized and police officers would not have to stay off of the roads to sit in two hearings for the same case.
SB 299 would supplement, amend, decrease and increase items of appropriations from the State Road Fund to the Department of Highways.
SB 300 would supplement appropriations from unappropriated balance in the Treasury to the Division of Personnel.
SB 301 would supplement the appropriation of federal funds from the Treasury to the State Board of Education for the School Lunch Program.
SB 305 would supplement the appropriation of public moneys from the Treasury to the Fire Commission.
SB 344 would eliminate conflicting provisions within current code relating to the application of payments and the assessment of delinquency fees on consumer credit sales and consumer loans. The bill also permits a lender to hold a partial or nonconforming payment in suspense until such time as a full payment can be applied.
Senate Bills 586-596 were introduced.
Senate Bills 25, 256, 326, 364, 440 and 455 and House Bills 2167, 2542, 2590 and 2594 were advanced from second reading. Senate Bills 28 and 531 were requested to lie over for one day in second reading.
Of those bills advanced, SB 28 was amended by Senator Mark Maynard, R-Wayne, to remove certain restrictions from the bill and HB 2167 was amended by Senator Craig Blair, R-Berkeley, to make technical corrections to the bill.
Committee Meetings Today
Natural Resources: 1 p.m. in 208W
Banking and Insurance: 2 p.m. in 451M
Judiciary: 3:30 p.m. in 208W
Finance: 3:30 p.m. in 451M
Committee Meetings Tomorrow
Transportation and Infrastructure: 10 a.m. in 451M
Energy, Industry and Mining: 1 p.m. in 208W
Health and Human Resources: 1 p.m. in 451M
Government Organization: 2 p.m. in 208W
Education: 2 p.m. in 451M
Committee Meetings Wednesday
Agriculture and Rural Development: 2 p.m. in 208W
The Senate is adjourned until 11 a.m. tomorrow.
