After lengthy debate on amendments, a Senate bill that would increase access to career education and workforce training was advanced to third reading Tuesday.
The Senate took up Senate Bill 1 and several amendments Tuesday. Sen. Roman Prezioso, D-Marion, proposed an amendment that would increase access to career education and workforce training. Prezioso’s amendment would allow for the bill to apply to associates degrees in four year regional colleges, despite additional costs.
Sen. Patricia Rucker, R-Jefferson, rebutted Prezioso’s amendment and urged the Senate to reject it, saying, “This bill is geared to adults who’s education was interrupted and maybe didn’t make the grades to have the Promise Scholarship and other financial aid. In order to get this bill passed and help these students, I urge that we refuse this amendment.”
Sen. Craig Blair, R-Berkeley, addressed the chamber, citing the current fiscal note for Senate Bill 1, which is $7.67 million. Blair agreed with Rucker in her refusal of the bill.
“We have to live within our current means,” Blair said.
Senate President Mitch Carmichael, R-Jackson, joined the body to urge refusal for the amendment.
Ultimately, the Senate voted to reject the amendment.
Sen. Richard Plymale, D-Wayne, suggested another amendment to the bill which would allow for the bill to cover apprenticeships. This amendment also was rejected.
The Senate passed four bills Tuesday, including Senate Bill 152, which relates to criminal offense expungement. The bill expands on the Second Chance Act previously passed by the Legislature. One of the bill’s provisions would expand eligibility for criminal expungement to people convicted of certain nonviolent felonies.
“When I arrived in this chamber in 2017, I really thought we were doing well by passing this bill,” Sen. Glenn Jefferies, D-Putnam, said. “I believe we carefully crafted this bill to protect the people of the state. We’ve made the bill stronger.”
Other bills passed by the Senate Tuesday were:
· Senate Bill 3 would establish the West Virginia Small Wireless Facilities Deployment Act.
· Senate Bill 62 would require participation in a drug court program before the discharge of certain first-time drug offenses.
· Senate Bill 240 would repeal certain legislative rules no longer authorized or are obsolete.
The Senate advanced three bills to second reading:
·Senate Bill 18 which would relate to crimes committed on State Capitol Complex was amended and advanced to third reading.
· Senate Bill 255 would relate to the Emergency Medical Services Advisory Committee was advanced to third reading.
· Senate Bill 354 which would expire funds to balance the Chief Inspector’s Fund at the Auditor’s Office was was advanced to third reading.
The Senate also adopted three resolutions – Senate Resolution 14, which celebrates the achievements and contributions of Monongalia County and Senate Resolution 15 which designated Jan. 22 as Preston County Day.
Additionally, the Senate also unanimously adopted Senate Resolution 12 which congratulates the Ripley High School girls’ track team for winning the 2018 Class AAA state championship.
Sen. Eric Tarr, R. Putnam, addressed the chamber, congratulating the team for their win and read the names of teammates to his fellow senators. Tarr told the chamber that the girls’ team was able to collect the win despite being the smallest team within the state’s AAA class.
Senate Bills 386-393 were also introduced during the floor session.
Senate Bill 388 would equalize penalties for intimidating and retaliating against public officers, employees, jurors, and witnesses.
Senate Bill 390 would require electric utilities to submit feasibility studies of constructing and operating middle-mile broadband internet projects.
The following committees will be meeting today:
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The Senate Committee Energy, Industry and Mining will meet 15 minutes following floor session in 208w.
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The Senate Committee on Health and Human Resources will meet 15 minutes following floor session in 451M.
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The Senate Education Committee will meet at 3 p.m. in 451M.
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The Senate Government Organization Committee will meet at 3p.m. In 208W.
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The Senate Judiciary Committee will meet at 4 p.m. in 208W.
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The Senate Finance Committee will meet at 4 p.m. in 451M.
The following committees will be meeting tomorrow:
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The Senate Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development will meet at 2 p.m. in 208W.
