As of 4 PM, Wednesday, February 23, 2005, the 15th day of the 2005 Regular Session, 269 bills have been introduced in the Senate. Of those, five have passed the Senate and will now go to the House for its consideration. Some include:
Senate Bill 153 would change the provision in Senate Bill 1003 that was passed during the first Extraordinary Session of 2005 which relates to the confidentiality of Ethics Commission proceedings. It would provide for and modify the penalties for breaching confidentiality and submitting false information. Anyone found disclosing confidential information is subject to sanction, which would prohibit future complaints from being filed from the violator. As well, anyone found giving false information or coercing someone to give false information could be sanctioned by the Commission.
Senate Bill 213 would continue the Oral Health Program until July 1, 2007. Created within the Bureau for Public Health in 2002 with the passage of the Oral Health Improvement Act, it focuses on prevention and detection programs for oral cancer.
Senate Bill 214 would continue the West Virginia Acupuncture Board until July 1, 2008. It was established in 1996 with the passage of the Acupuncture Act. Its purpose is to protect consumers by controlling the licensing and regulation of acupuncturists. It reviews all applicants to ensure only qualified individuals are permitted to practice acupuncture in West Virginia.
Senate Bill 215 would continue the West Virginia Board of Accountancy until July 1, 2007. It became a state agency in 1959 to administer and enforce the provisions of the West Virginia Board of Accountancy Law. The Board issues and renews certificates, registrations, permits and administers the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Examination.
A Sampling of Bills Introduced In the Senate
Acts
Senate Bill 239 would establish a Joint Legislative Oversight Commission of Flooding, State Flood Protection Planning Council and a State Flood Protection Planning Advisory Committee. Duties of these committees and council would revolve around the prevention and cleanup of flood affected areas, as well as the planning of protocol for such an event.
Banks and Banking
Senate Bill 258 would require that the minimum monthly payment on credit cards be set at an amount equal to the monthly interest accrued on the outstanding balance. It is meant to protect the cardholder from going further in debt when paying only the minimum payment.
Domestic Relations
Senate Bill 208 would establish a marriage license discount for applicants who have completed a previously approved marriage counseling class. The courses would be four hours of instruction and cover conflict management, communication skills, financial responsibilities and children and parenting responsibilities.
Education
Senate Bill 212 would allow higher education professors to be eligible for incremental pay and also the annual increment increase awarded for experience that other state employees already enjoy. Those eligible would be any employee of a state institution of higher education, the Higher Education Policy Commission or the Council for Community and Technical College Education.
Senate Bill 243 would require each county Board of Education to employ at least one full-time school nurse for every 1,500 students in grades kindergarten through 12. Current law requires a nurse for students in grades kindergarten through seven.
Floods
Senate Bill 256 would require insurance companies to inform policyholders when their policies do not cover flood damages. It also would provide that policyholders be able to contact their agents or the National Flood Protection Program administered by Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to find out how to obtain coverage.
Health
Senate Bill 236 would require all staff at facilities providing services to residents in a care facility such as a nursing home to complete basic Alzheimer’s disease and dementia training. The training would include a basic understanding of dementias, communication approaches, techniques, activities and programming appropriate for those with Alzheimer’s or dementia. The curriculum would require information packets to be presented to and reviewed with staff and two hours per year of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia training.
Military Affairs
Senate Bill 227 would allow active duty members in the United States Military an exemption from ad valorem taxes, better known as property taxes, specifically for a motor vehicle. The tax exception would be applied each to taxable year the person is in the military on active duty.
Municipalities
Senate Bill 237 would allow municipalities to increase the rate of the imposed hotel occupancy tax to no more than six percent. A municipality must hold a public hearing about a proposed increase before enacting it. At least 50 percent of the net revenue must be used for the promotion of conventions and tourism. The rest may be used for arenas, auditoriums, civic centers and convention centers; the payment of principal or interest or both on revenue bonds issued to finance convention facilities; the construction, operation or maintenance of public parks, tourist information centers and recreation facilities; the promotion of the arts, historic sites, beautification projects; or medical care. The bill would provide a misdemeanor penalty for those who use the funds collected from the tax for purposes not specified in the bill.
