The Senate has completed legislation on two bills that will now be sent to the governor for enaction.
HB 2506 allows permit limits to be calculated using design flows recommended by the United States Environmental Protection Act for human health; specifically, the use of the harmonic mean flow. It would also allow for mixing zone overlapping while retaining the application of water quality criteria that are developed for protection of drinking water.
HB 2774 allows aircraft and aircraft parts to be taxed at the same rate as aircraft property.
The Senate also passed 14 bills to be sent to the House for further consideration.
SB 60 would provide for eligibility and fraud requirements for public assistance by requiring the Department of Health and Human Resources to implement work requirements for applicants for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
Senator Robert Beach, D-Monongalia, made a motion to table the bill due to the possibly negative effects increased regulations in the bill could have on the 20% of the state population who rely on those SNAP benefits. The motion was rejected.
SB 74 would allow fire departments to charge fees for service calls.
Senator Greg Boso, R-Nicholas, amended the bill to change a certain fee amount limit provided.
SB 217 would increase the number of limited video lottery machines allowed at retail locations. The bill was reported to the floor with the recommendation that it pass.
SB 376 would add persons who have been adjudicated as a juvenile delinquent for conduct related to qualifying offenses to comply with the registration requirements of the Sex Offender Registration Act.
SB 401 would permit a county board of education to base its employment decisions, transfers, reassignments, reductions in the number of professional personnel, reductions in classroom teaching positions and reductions in the workforce on an individual’s qualifications.
SB 578 would establish a new fee structure for the furnishment of health care records by allowing records to be furnished to a patient’s personal representative and establishing a limit on the total fee allowable for the furnishment of a patient’s health care record.
SB 601 would adjust limits on consumer loans in West Virginia for which certain finance charges may be imposed.
SB 621 would provide that at any point after a county board of education provides written notice to the state board that it is considering or in the process of closing or consolidating a school or schools, any revision or supplementation to certain rules is not applicable to the school closing or consolidation project described in the county board’s notification to the state board.
SB 630 would establish the Accessibility and Equity in Public Education Enhancement Act to allow a county board or a multicounty consortium to create a virtual instruction program for one or more schools serving any composition of grades K-12 by adopting a policy creating the program and contracting with virtual school providers.
SB 634 would create an exemption for the Department of Health and Human Resources from having to go through the requirements of the Division of Purchasing when entering into agreements with West Virginia University or Marshall University for the provision of services, which will encourage collaboration and cost-saving between the Universities and Department of Health and Human Resources.
SB 647 would repeal a section of the Code which imposes an additional county excise tax on the privilege of transferring real property for the purposes of funding farmland preservation, and replace the same by amending the Code to add a subsection which provides for an additional county excise tax on the privilege of transferring real property for the purposes of funding the county farmland preservation program and the operations, programs and activities of the local economic development corporation or authority.
Senator Ronald Miller, D-Greenbrier, made an amendment to make minor changes for clarification throughout the bill.
SB 686 would exempt facilities providing direct patient care that are managed, directed, controlled and governed by the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Resources from the otherwise required oversight and review by the Purchasing Division of the Department of Administration, as well as require the Legislative Auditor to audit purchasing made by such facilities and report the findings to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.
HB 2001 modifies the ethics and purchasing laws to provide more transparency in government.
Senator Charles Trump, R-Morgan, made an amendment on behalf of the Senate Judiciary Committee to correct language in the bill related to public contracts and other provisions.
Senator Ryan Weld, R-Mercer, further amended sections of the Judiciary amendment related to the Ethics Commission and higher education compliance.
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.
Of those bills on third reading, Senate Bills 281, 416, 417, 421 and 504 were requested to lie over for one day.
Members of the Senate also adopted four resolutions.
SR 55 designates today as WVU and WVU Extension Service Day at the Capitol.
SR 56 congratulates the WVU rifle team for winning the 2017 NCAA Rifle Championship.
SR 57 recognizes the 200th anniversary of the Sistersville Ferry.
SR 58 recognizes the 100th year of the main structure at Parkersburg High School.
The Senate is in recess until 2:45 p.m. this afternoon.
