The Senate unanimously motioned to lay over their 2020 budget bill Monday morning.
Despite being on third reading, Senate Bill 150 will now be taken up for consideration Tuesday, March 5.
Finance Chair, Sen. Craig Blair, R-Berkeley, rose to explain that the swift passage by the finance committee had caused for the body to “get ahead of themselves” concerning the budget. The Chair also urged his fellow Senators to relay all questions relating to the budget to him or his staff.
Additionally, a message concerning Saturday’s passage of the House of Delegates’ budget was also received by the body, prompting members to take the bill up for immediate consideration and read for a first time.
Following the motion to lay Senate Bill 150 over, the body passed seven bills. Of the passed legislation were: House Bills 2183, 2531, 2609, 2907, 2975, 3083 and 3148.
- House Bill 2531 would permit trained nurses to provide mental health services in a medication-assisted treatment program
- House bill 2907 would require a form of a certified commitment order to the Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation
- House Bill 3083 would add temporary work during the legislative session as exclusion to the term employment for purposes of unemployment compensation
Of the 15 pieces of legislation on the calendar for second reading, seven bills received amendments from the body. A majority of the amendments offered by members arose out of committees and provided minimal technical changes to the bill.
The body also passed Senate Resolution 76 which recognized the WV School of Osteopathic Medicine. Multiple members rose to urge adoption of the legislation prior to it’s passage.
The Senate is currently in recess until 5:30 p.m.
The following committees will meet today:
- The Senate Committee for Banking and Insurance will meet at 2 p.m in 451M.
- The Senate Finance Committee will meet at 3 p.m. in 451M.
- The Senate Judiciary Committee will meet at 3 p.m. in 208W.
The following committees will meet tomorrow:
- The Senate Committee for Natural Resources will meet at 9 a.m. in 208.
- The Senate Agricultural Development will meet at 9:30 a.m. in 208W.
- The Senate Military Committee will meet at 10 a.m. in 208W.
- The Senate Transportation Committee will meet at 10 a.m. in 451M.
- The Senate Education Committee will meet at 2 p.m. in 451M.
UPDATE: Following recess, the Senate reconvened to accept additional committee reports. The body is now adjourn until Tuesday, Feb. 5 at 11 a.m.
