With the Legislature set to adjourn by midnight on March 13th, the final actions of the 76th Legislature draw to a close — some might think. However, duties of lawmakers are not limited to a 60-day length of service, but are in fact, two to four-year terms of service to the citizens of the state. Following an extended session to finalize provisions in the state Budget Bill and/or to pass supplemental appropriation bills which may result from the state’s budget congruence, lawmakers will return to their districts, their jobs and their families. However, their hiatus is generally brief. Within a month, legislative leadership will return to Charleston to determine areas of future study for review by the Legislature’s Interim Committees. It is through the Interim studies that background material is garnered and evaluated to make legislators aware of circumstances and problems which may need to be addressed through legislation during the next 60-day session. Appointments to these Interim Committees and selection of areas to be studied are made by the Speaker of the House and the President of the Senate, with input provided by standing committee chairmen, select committee chairmen and other legislators. Membership of each interim committee consists of both House and Senate lawmakers and generally remains the same through the lifetime of each Legislature — which is active for a two year period. For example, this is the second and final year of the 76th Legislature and in January of 2005 the 77th Legislature will be sworn into office. The Speaker and the President also approve the dates of the monthly three-day meetings and the scheduling times of each meeting. Because lawmakers often invite experts and or national consultants to offer suggestions to committee members, traveling expenses for guest speakers may also approved by legislative leadership.
The source of the selection of topics to be considered can be derived from resolutions adopted during the regular legislative session or the subject may be of immediate concern and be made a study for a select interim committee. As the legislative session comes to its close, the Senate President and the House Speaker already have scheduled the 2004 April Interim meetings for April 4th through 6th. It is expected that study areas will be announced during a meeting of the Joint Committee on Government and Finance at that time. Interested parties may find a listing of these topics on the Legislature’s website following the April Interim meeting. Along with the Interim meetings, lawmakers still maintain constituent contact while in their “off season”. Citizens can still contact their representatives to voice concerns on previously passed legislation, current laws and/or provisions that they believe should be codified. Often times, legislators receive input that helps to develop public policies from their continuous contact with their constituents. Although the 2004 Regular Legislative Session is in its waning hours, West Virginia’s “part-time” Legislature will continue to make tough decisions and significant strides during these times of fiscal challenges.
Part-time lawmaking requires year-round commitment
