The House of Delegates’ fiscal year 2020 budget was passed by the Senate in a 20-14 vote, Wednesday.
Immediately following passage of House Bill 2020, majority leader, Tom Takubo, R-Kanawha, motioned for the bill to become effective upon passage, resulting in rejection.
The proposed budget received a strike and insert amendment from finance committee Chair, Sen. Craig Blair, R-Berkeley, Tuesday, ultimately resulting in the budget being amended to include the Senate’s budget.
Senate Bill 150, the Senate’s budget bill, included reductions to the Governor’s introduced budget by a total of $100 million. Most notably of the reduced allocation is the withdrawal of the Governor’s proposed teacher raise totaling $80,000,000.
Improvements to the proposed bill currently totals at $137,048,000 for fiscal year 2020.
Following passage of the budget, the body also passed numerous House Bills following brief discussion. Of the passed legislation were House Bills 2009, 2083, 2515, 2530, 2550, 2617 and 2647.
Of the 13 House Bills on second reading, eight received amendments from various Senators and committees in the body. House Bill 2992, which relates to governmental websites, received an amendment from the committee on government organization and then received an amendment to the amendment from the finance committee,
Prior to readings, the body acknowledged various pieces of unfinished business and received multiple messages from the House, many of which were amended by the body. Senate Bill 154, which would allow for school facilities to be used for memorial services for certain community members, and Senate Bill 360, relating to third-party litigation financing, received amendments to the House’s amendments.
Multiple resolutions relating to George Washington High School’s athletic teams were also passed during Wednesday’s floor session Each of the resolutions were intended to congratulate the teams for their achievements. Of the resolutions were Senate Resolutions 70, 71 and 72.
The Senate is currently in recess until 6 p.m.
The following committees will meet today:
- The Senate Committee for Pensions will meet 10 minutes following the floor in 451M.
- The Senate Judiciary Committee will meet 10 minutes following Pensions in 208W.
- The Senate Finance Committee will meet 10 minutes following Pensions in 451M.
The following committees will meet tomorrow:
- The Senate Finance Comittee will meet at 9 a.m. in 451M.
- The Senate Judicary Committee will meet at 9 a.m. in 208W.
- The Senate Committee for Health and Human Resources will meet at 1 p.m. in 451M.
- The Senate Committee for Education will meet at 2 p.m. in 451M.
UPDATE: The Senate reconvened following their 6 p.m. recess to recieve committee reports and announce additional committee meetings. The body also recieved a proclamation from the Governor extended the session for one day with the intention of focusing on the 2020 budget.
