The Senate has passed a bill that would create the Statewide Interoperable Radio Network.
The bill, HB 2759, was initially on second reading until Majority Leader Ryan Ferns, R-Ohio, motioned for the bill to surpass constitutional provisions and be considered on third reading for passage.
Finance Chair Mike Hall, R-Putnam, had amended the bill in second reading on behalf of the Senate Finance Committee to make technical corrections.
The Senate also reconsidered its actions on two bills now to be sent to the House for further consideration.
SB 28 would create a new system for three or more contiguous counties to create a regional recreation authority for off-highway vehicle trail riding and for other recreational purposes.
The Senate had originally concurred with the House amendments to the bill, but Majority Leader Ferns made amendments to the bill on behalf of the Senate, sending the bill back to the House for concurrence.
HB 2683 would modify the scope and construction of the West Virginia Guaranty Association Act.
The Senate had originally passed the House bill unamended, but Majority Leader Ferns made amendments to the bill on behalf of the Senate, sending the bill back to the House for concurrence.
Earlier in the session, the Senate advanced 19 bills from second reading.
HB 2366 would require the selling of Jackie Withrow Hospital by the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Resources.
Health Chair Tom Takubo, R-Kanawha amended the bill on behalf of the Senate Health and Human Resources Committee to require a new 90-bed facility to be built in place of the hospital.
HB 2428 would establish additional substance abuse treatment facilities.
Senator Takubo amended the bill on behalf of the Senate Health and Human Resources Committee to provide for private insurance and private pay in the facilities.
HB 2546 would allow uniform costs to be deducted from an employee’s final paycheck if the uniform is not returned.
Majority Leader Ferns motioned to advance the bill to third reading with the right to amend.
HB 2552 would increase the pet food registration fee and direct that the additional money to the West Virginia Spay Neuter Assistance Fund.
Agriculture Chair Dave Sypolt, R-Preston, amended the bill on behalf of the Senate Agriculture and Rural Development Committee to reduce the fees by half and expire them after ten years.
HB 2561 would provide flexibility for school systems in the use of school aid funds.
Senator Charles Trump, R-Morgan, amended the bill to make several modifications throughout the bill.
Senator Greg Boso, R-Nicholas, proposed an amendment to Senator Trump’s amendment related to changing comprehensive education facility plans, but the amendment to the amendment was rejected when Senate President Mitch Carmichael, R-Jackson, determined it was not germane to the bill.
HB 2601 would provide a mechanism of correcting errors in payments to and from a municipal policemen’s or firemen’s pension fund and to provide a criminal offense for knowingly making a false statement in an attempt to defraud a municipal pension fund.
Pensions Chair Ed Gaunch, R-Kanawha, amended the bill on behalf of the Senate Pensions Committee to change the criminal offense from a felony to a misdemeanor.
Senator Hall further amended the bill to strike language that is inconsistent with other language in the Code.
HB 2708 would allow persons with developmental disabilities to receive a base hunting license and to satisfy the training requirements through a modified training course, and authorizes those persons to lawfully hunt while accompanied and directly supervised by another hunter.
Majority Leader Ferns motioned to advance the bill to third reading with the right to amend.
HB 2720 would permit the School Building Authority to transfer funds from the School Construction Fund into a special revenue account in the State Treasury.
Education Chair Kenny Mann, R-Monroe, amended the bill on behalf of the Senate Education Committee to make technical corrections.
HB 2724 would establish a community-based pilot project to promote public health through comprehensive community development in communities across West Virginia, and support this project through the Herbert Henderson Office of Minority Affairs.
HB 2804 would remove chiropractic physicians from the list of medical professionals required to complete continuing education in the area of mental health conditions common to veterans and family members of veterans.
Military Chair Ryan Weld, R-Brooke, amended the bill on behalf of the Senate Military Committee to clarify certain language.
HB 2850 would limit products liability actions against a seller other than the manufacturer except in limited circumstances.
HB 2857 would create the West Virginia Safer Workplaces Act to allow employers to test employees and prospective employees for drugs and alcohol.
Senator Mike Romano, D-Harrison, amended the bill to prevent observation of an employee’s urine sample for drug or alcohol tests by someone of the opposite sex.
HB 2916 would authorize supervising entities to authorize reserve deputies, ambulance crew members, firefighters, rescue squad members and emergency service personnel to carry firearms.
Senator Morgan, Judiciary Chair, amended the bill on behalf of the Senate Judiciary Committee to clarify certain language, as well as adding provisions related to ambulance crews, firefighters and emergency medical service personnel.
Senator Mike Azinger, R-Wood, made an amendment to the Judiciary amendment to add a section allowing the Attorney General’s investigators to carry firearms.
HB 3018 would add the definition of correctional employee to the list of persons against whom an assault is a felony.
Senator Trump amended the bill on behalf of the Senate Judiciary Committee to adjust the definition of a “correctional employee.”
Senator Romano made an amendment to the Judiciary amendment to include the Division of Juvenile Services in the bill’s provisions.
HB 3020 would provide that the penalty for hunting, trapping or fishing on the lands of another, entering upon posted lands, or destroying posted land signs shall be equivalent to the penalty for criminal trespass.
Majority Leader Ferns motioned to advance the bill to third reading with the right to amend.
HB 3030 would clarify that appeals to the Supreme Court are a matter of right and that every party has an opportunity to be heard.
Senator Trump amended the bill on behalf of the Senate Judiciary Committee to broaden the bill’s language and add a new section relating to appeals regarding revoking or suspending the person’s driver’s license
HB 3064 would permit the Division of Highways to issue annual permits allowing vehicles of a size and weight exceeding certain specifications to operate over specified routes designated by the commissioner.
Senator Robert Plymale, D-Wayne, proposed an amendment to the bill to maintain the Legislature’s authority over the bill’s provisions, instead of delegating them to the commissioner of highways. The amendment was rejected, since some senators felt the Legislature lacks the same knowledge in such processes as the Division of Highways does and that the added Legislative oversight would unnecessarily slow the permit process down.
HB 3093 would establish Broadband Enhancement and Expansion Policies, move the existing Broadband Enhancement Council into a new chapter and authorize the establishment of cooperative associations for the purpose of obtaining internet services.
Majority Leader Ferns motioned to advance the bill to third reading with the right to amend.
HB 3102 would permit the Secretary of Department of Health and Human Resources to sell Hopemont Hospital and its assets.
Senator Takubo amended the bill on behalf of the Senate Health and Human Resources Committee to make provisions related to the selling of Hopemont Hospital.
Of those bills, HB 2801 was requested to lie over in second reading for one day. The bill would expire funds to the unappropriated balance in the General Revenue Fund from the Department of Revenue’s Revenue Shortfall Reserve Fund.
All bills on first reading were advanced to second reading.
Committee Meetings Tomorrow
Finance: 9:30 a.m. in 451M
The Senate is adjourned until 11 a.m. tomorrow.
