As of 4 p.m. Wednesday March 16th, 2005, the 36th day of the Regular Session, 563 bills have been introduced in the Senate. Of those, three have been passed by the Senate since March 9th and sent to the House for its consideration. These were:
Senate Bill 222 would define business members for the purpose of the state’s Workforce Investment Board. The state’s Workforce Investment Board consists of 39 members who are appointed by the Governor with advice and consent from the Senate. Since the members must be representatives of business in the state, this bill clarifies who is considered to be a “business representative.”
Senate Bill 235 would allow the Commissioner overseeing the actions of West Virginia’s participation in the United States Department of Agriculture’s National Animal Identification System to propose rules to govern the collection of data. This bill also would exempt animal identification data from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act.
Senate Bill 413 would allow the Commissioner of Banking to create an application and approval process for state-chartered banking institutions. The bill also would afford the opportunity for state-chartered banking institutions to become equally competitive with federally chartered institutions and other financial services providers operating in West Virginia.
A Sampling of Bills Introduced In The Senate
Senate Bill 505 would create the Indigent Defense Commission. This eight-member commission, would advise the executive director who has the power to reduce or reject vouchers and, with the consent of the commission, may remove certain board members of corporation for negligence.
Senate Bill 506 relates to the salaries of rehabilitation counselors. The bill would require rehabilitation counselors employed by the Division of Rehabilitative Services to be paid equal to public school counselors.
Senate Bill 510 would establish the Infection Control Act of 2005. This act would allow for the creation of the Infection Control Advisory Panel, which would promote a voluntary program to control and prevent infections in hospitals and other health facilities in the state.
Senate Bill 517 would waive the one-year residency requirement for filing a name change for certain individuals. The exemption would apply to people who have lived in this state longer than anywhere else, but who have moved to another state and have not yet established residency.
Senate Bill 521 would establish a study on flood insurance. The study would focus on the possibility of requiring flood insurance and /or general property insurance on all buildings owned by a county board as well as the contents of those buildings.
Senate Bill 523 would allow for certain children to be exempt from mandatory immunizations. This would apply to children whose parents do not want the immunization on the basis of moral or religious beliefs. The parents of the children would have to state their beliefs in an affidavit and complete an informed consent form provided by the Bureau of Public Health.
Senate Bill 527 would require insurance companies to provide information to people who were denied homeowners’ insurance. This would only be done upon the request of the applicant and with payment of a processing fee.
Senate Bill 532 would revise the West Virginia Public Employees Retirement Act. The addition would allow state employees who were unable to convert accumulated sick leave, due to illness, into credited service for retirement to have the option to purchase it back by having withholdings taken from future pay checks.
Senate Bill 534 would specify which items should not be delivered or possessed by individuals who are being held in a state jail, correctional facility or juvenile center. The bill also establishes criminal penalties for transporting certain items onto the grounds or aiding in an escape.
Senate Bill 539 would allow the Board of Dental Examiners to immediately suspend or revoke the license of a dentist if the board determines it should protect the public from an immediate danger.
Senate Bill 543 would give tax incentives to non-residential owners of managed timberland. The tax break would be granted to allow the general public to use the land for recreational purposes, such as hunting, fishing, hiking, and photography.
Senate Bill 547 would allow the Division of Motor Vehicles to create and sell sports’ compact license plates. The license plate can bear the logo or trademark of any sporting team or franchise for which the commissioner has obtained consent.
Senate Bill 552 would make it a misdemeanor to sell an unstable horse. An unstable horse is defined in the bill as any riding horse that is more than two years old that exhibits dangerous qualities, of which the seller is aware, such as kicking, biting or lunging.
Senate Bill 563 would protect consumers from financial losses due to the fraudulent activities of individuals selling vehicles. The bill would require a salesperson to receive a license from the Division of Motor Vehicles. The bill also adds authority for the Division to do a background check.
