The Senate Workforce Committee has approved two bills with the recommendation that they pass.
SB 224 would repeal the requirement for an employer’s bond for wages and benefits for certain designated employers and related requirements.
Senator Glenn Jeffries (D-Putnam) proposed an amendment to the bill that would raise the maximum fine to $60,000 from the original $30,000 for any person, firm or corporation who knowingly, willfully and fraudulently disposes of or relocates assets with intent to deprive employees of their wages and fringe benefits.
Jeffries said he believed this would help to “catch larger companies” that commit more serious crimes with employees’ wages.
Senator Ryan Weld (R-Brooke) voiced his support for the amendment. The amendment was unanimously approved.
SB 239 would protect an employee’s wages or salaries from being withheld or diverted for political activities without the express, written authorization of the employee.
Senior vice president of AFL-CIO Bob Brown spoke in opposition of the bill on behalf of the American Federation of Teachers in West Virginia, since the bill would add another form to be considered from the Secretary of State’s Office by members of labor organizations.
Brown said the additional form would simply be an “administrative burden” and “another layer of paper and bureaucracy” for a system that already works with the initial forms received by labor organizations.
President of the West Virginia Education Association Dale Lee also spoke against the bill for similar reasons.
“We religiously file reports to the Secretary of State’s Office,” Lee said. “There’s never been a question about any contributions.”
Senator Ron Stollings (D-Boone) voiced his opposition to the bill, asking Republican members to do the same, since he said they often support the party ideal of eliminating bureaucracy.
Both bills will be referred to Senate Judiciary once reported to the floor.
